classification essay words

Classification Essay

A Beginner’s Guide to Classification Essay + Examples, Topics, & Tips

10 min read

What is a Classification Essay?

A classification essay can be defined as an essay that aims to arrange its subjects in categories based on their characteristics. In other words, it's about grouping things together that share common traits.

For example, imagine you're at a library, and each book is a unique idea. The classification essay is your way of creating distinct shelves and arranging those books in an orderly fashion. It is a mixture of expository and analytical essays, as it seeks to establish, discuss, and analyze a subject’s properties and characteristics.

Moreover, it is also related to definition essays. Things are defined by their characteristics and categories to which they belong, and so the boundaries between a classification and definition essays are often blurred.

How to Write a Classification Essay?

Here are the steps you need to follow to write an excellent classification essay.

Following are the steps that should be taken to start an impressive classification essay:

Step 1: Choose a Topic

The first crucial step is selecting a topic that provides an opportunity for useful classification. Whether it's types of movies, learning styles, or modes of transportation, your topic sets the stage for a well-organized exploration.

Here's how to navigate this crucial first step:

Breadth and Relevance: Select for a topic that is broad enough to offer multiple categories but specific enough to maintain focus. For instance, instead of "sports," consider "types of outdoor recreational activities."
Consider Your Audience: Think about who will be reading your essay. Tailor your topic to their interests and knowledge level. A topic that resonates with your audience ensures that your classifications have a meaningful impact.
Room for Exploration: Look for a topic with room for exploration. A good classification essay not only categorizes but also highlights nuances within each category. This adds depth to your writing and keeps your readers engaged.

Step 2: Conduct Research

Now that you've chosen a compelling topic, it's time to delve into the world of research. Gather information to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the categories you plan to explore. With good research, you will have solid foundations for your classifications.

Here's how to gather the necessary information to enrich your classification essay:

Consult Reliable Sources: Start by consulting reputable sources such as books, academic journals, and credible websites. The information you gather should be accurate and up-to-date.
Diversify Your Sources: Get a well-rounded understanding by exploring a variety of sources. The more perspectives you study, the more comprehensive your classifications will be.
Take Detailed Notes: As you conduct your research, take detailed notes on relevant information, examples, and any noteworthy details. This will help in outlining and drafting your essay later.
Stay Organized: Keep your research organized. A systematic approach will save you time when you start outlining your essay.

Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas About Your Subject

To start writing a classification essay, it is important to first decide on a clear and specific criteria for classification. With credible information in hand, let your creativity flow.

Jot down all the possible categories related to your chosen topic. This brainstorming phase is about exploring various angles and finding the most meaningful ways to categorize your subject matter.

This essay’s purpose is to define and discriminate between subjects, so make sure that the categories are well-defined and clear.

Step 4: Develop a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement establishes the writer’s stance on the topic and their central argument. It is important to draft a strong thesis statement for an effective and persuasive classification essay.

Once you’ve researched and established your categories, it's time to distill your focus into a concise thesis statement. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Your thesis should clearly state the main categories you will explore in your essay. Avoid vague or overly broad statements. The reader should have a precise understanding of what to expect.
The thesis statement is the central idea around which your entire essay revolves. It should convey the main point or purpose of your classification.
It should also provide a roadmap, indicating the organization of your upcoming arguments.

Step 5: Draft an Outline

Now that you have a well-crafted thesis statement, it's time to organize your thoughts and create a roadmap for your classification essay. A classification essay outline should include these points:

Step 6: Write Your First Draft

Once you have the necessary information and an organized plan, it is time to start writing your classification essay. To draft an effective and flawless essay, follow the writing steps given below:

Write an Essay Introduction

The introduction is the first part of the essay. In this part, you need to catch the reader’s attention and introduce them to your topic. To make your introduction appealing,

Start with a catchy hook statement. A hook statement is the opening line of the introductory paragraph that attempts to draw the reader’s attention.
Provide sufficient background and context for your topic.
Close your introduction with a strong thesis statement that highlights your central point.
Draft the Body Paragraphs

The body section will contain three or more paragraphs depending on your arguments. The body paragraphs follow and justify the thesis statement made earlier in the introduction. Here’s how to write your body paragraphs:

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that presents the main point of that paragraph.
Provide examples, arguments, and relevant information in each paragraph to establish your argument.
Provide a detailed analysis of your subject to justify your categorizations.
Connect body paragraphs to each other through transition words and phrases. This is important for maintaining a logical flow.
Write a Strong Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph, where you put together all the arguments made in the body paragraphs. Follow these tips to write a good conclusion:

Summarize the main categories without introducing new information.
Reiterate the significance of your classifications and their impact on understanding the topic.
End with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.

Step 7: Revise, Edit, & Improve Your Draft

Congratulations on completing your first draft! However, your work is not done just yet. Your first draft could be full of mistakes and weaknesses, so you need to elevate it through the revision, editing, and improvement process. Here’s what you should do to ensure that your final draft is perfect:

Review the Overall Structure: Ensure that your introduction sets the stage effectively, each body paragraph is coherent, and the conclusion ties everything together without introducing new information.
Check for Clarity and Consistency: See that your language is clear and your ideas are presented logically. Check for consistency in tone and style throughout.
Refine Thesis Statement: Revisit your thesis statement. Does it accurately reflect the content of your essay? Make adjustments if needed to ensure it aligns with the final draft.
Trim Unnecessary Details: Trim any redundant or unnecessary details. Keep your writing concise and focused on the defining characteristics of each category.
Proofread for Errors: Thoroughly proofread your essay for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. A polished essay enhances your credibility as a writer.
Get Feedback: Consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or writing professionals. Fresh perspectives can identify areas for improvement that you might have overlooked.
Final Polish: Give your essay a final polish. Ensure that it aligns with your original vision and effectively communicates your ideas.

Classification Essay Examples

Before starting the writing process, it is better to look at some of the classification essay examples. This way, you will get a better understanding of how these essays are written.

Here are some classification essay examples to help you get started.

Classification Essay Sample

Division and Classification Essay Example

Exemplification and Classification Essay Example

Types of Friends Classification Essay

Classification Essay on Relationships

Classification Essay Topics

Choosing the right topic is the cornerstone of creating a captivating classification essay. Here's a short but diverse list of classification essay ideas to spark your imagination.

Types of Social Media Users
Genres of Music
Learning Styles
Forms of Government
Types of Movie Endings
Modes of Transportation
Gaming Genres
Personality Types in a Workplace
Human Responses to Stress
Various Kinds of Study Habits

Need more ideas? Head to our classification essay topics blog and get a list of interesting ideas to choose from!

Tips for Writing an Effective Classification Essay

Mastering the art of classification essays requires more than just following a set of steps. Consider these tips to enhance the quality and impact of your classification essays:

Choose a Niche Topic: Opt for a topic that allows for meaningful categorization. A focused and specific subject ensures a more in-depth exploration of categories.
Provide Clear Criteria: Clearly define the criteria used to categorize items. Whether it's characteristics, functions, or behaviors, explicit criteria add depth and clarity to your classifications.
Ensure Balanced Categories: Strive for balance in the depth and coverage of each category. Avoid spending disproportionate time on one category, as it can disrupt the overall equilibrium of your essay.
Use Consistent Characteristics: Maintain consistency in the characteristics you use to define each category. This ensures a coherent and logical progression throughout your essay.
Think About Your Audience: Consider your audience's interests and knowledge level. Tailor your classifications to resonate with your readers, making the essay more engaging and relevant to them.
Include Vivid Examples: Illustrate each category with vivid and relevant examples. Concrete examples provide a clearer understanding and make your classifications more compelling.
Stay Objective: Maintain objectivity in your classifications. Avoid biases and ensure that your categories are based on observable and verifiable characteristics.
Read Widely: Expose yourself to a variety of classification essays. Knowing other points of views can provide inspiration, insights, and a deeper understanding of effective categorization.

In conclusion,

A classification essay is a unique and interesting kind of writing with a few special requirements. Having read its definition and writing steps above, you now know what they are: It requires you to categorize your subject based on its features and argue for its validity.

Following the steps and tips above will allow you to craft an A-worthy classification essay. The key to success comes down to pre-writing preparation and meticulous editing and revisions . Start early, plan your essay, figure out the categories, write, and rewrite until you’re satisfied.

Still need expert help? No worries! We fully understand your writing challenges.

At MyPerfectWords.com, you can get assistance from professional writers for any type of essay, regardless of your topic. Our experienced and expert writers write amazing essays for you according to your needs and requirements. Hire our online essay writing service today!

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Essay Guides
Main Academic Essays

Classification Essay: A Quick Guide with Examples

Speech Topics
Basics of Essay Writing
Essay Topics
Other Essays
Research Paper Topics
Basics of Research Paper Writing
Miscellaneous
Chicago/ Turabian
Data & Statistics
Methodology
Admission Writing Tips
Admission Advice
Other Guides
Student Life
Studying Tips
Understanding Plagiarism
Academic Writing Tips
Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Research Paper Guides
Formatting Guides
Basics of Research Process
Admission Guides
Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

A classification essay is a type of academic essay that categorizes a topic into distinct groups based on shared characteristics or criteria. The writer's purpose is to create a clear organization of information. Classification should be logical, making it easier for readers to remember the information being presented.

Let us guess: your professor asked you to write a classification essay. But they didn't explain how to even write one, did they? They often drop students like that as a part of self-learning. That's exactly why you're here! Writing a classification essay requires research. And making sure you've got enough information, you must double check what you've already gathered. Besides, classifying may sound simple, but it takes discipline and logical thinking. Putting thoughts into words and all that… What a task! But we heard a little rumor that those who continue reading would master classification papers. It's time for you to see if this rumor is true!

What Is a Classification Essay: Definition

Classification essay doesn’t want to hide its essence, considering its name. But the primary goal of this type of article is to classify. Now, what you want to rank is up to you or your professor. Your main goal is to select topics and later put them into categories. The primary purpose of this type of essay is to show your skills in categorisation and generalization. We can take food as a good and tasty example. For instance, apples and oranges belong to the fruit category, while cucumbers will definitely be vegetables. As for avocado, you have to do the research and classify this type of food. Nevertheless, you’ll definitely need to write one of those essays during your college. So to master academic and classification writing, keep reading!

How to Write a Classification Essay

We will start by teaching you how to write a classification essay. In this case, preparation is our little saving grace. So before you begin the actual writing, typing, or scribbling, it’s a good idea to think about the overall essence of your article. For starters, here are several valuable tips worth remembering:

Select a type of organization (you can use tables, documents, or anything that will help you in organizing your work).
Choose your categories for classification.
Make sure that each category is distinct and clear.
Include different examples for visualization.

These several steps will be handy for writing a thesis and starting your introduction. Buy essay papers online once you want good results with as little time spent as possible.

Developing an Effective Classification Essay Thesis Statement

Like with other articles, the classification essay thesis is one of the most vital parts of your work. A good thing worth keeping in mind is that your thesis is the last statement of your introduction. It also determines whether your audience will continue reading your article. Here are several things you should follow to write a good thesis:

Summarize your work.
Identify your main topic, objective, or goal of your essay.
Above all, make readers understand what point you’re making and what your paper is gonna be about.
Mention the categories you have chosen.

If you can nail our list given above, congratulations, you’ve got yourself an outstanding thesis.

Classification Essay Outline

Creating a classification essay outline is one of the easiest ways to approach an excellent classification paper. It’s true that it requires a lot of research and remembering. You will not only have to write about a single subject but group topics into categories. In order to do it correctly and understandably for the reader, it’s best if you use an outline. First and foremost, your essay should follow a traditional five paragraph essay format structure. It should have a minimum of three paragraphs. But typically, professors prefer around five. So your introduction must initially include an introduction, several body paragraphs depending on the length of your article, and a conclusion. In your body paragraphs outline, it’s a good idea to describe the groups you will include in your article. So your first paragraph will group fruits according to their color, while the second one can use nutrition for a classification. This will help you to remember your points before writing.

How to Start a Classification Essay: Introduction

Classification essay introduction is very similar to any other introduction you have probably written. You should never forget that you are writing for an audience. Doesn’t really matter if your reader is your professor or some person online. The rules of good writing apply to any kind of paper. The first thing worth doing is introducing your overall concept. There is no need to give all the information at once. Just start with something more general and narrow it down later to a thesis we’ve talked about. Make sure that you also include the relevant information. Using our previous metaphor, if you’re talking about fruits, maybe mentioning vegetables will not be a good idea. Besides, staying on one topic will help you to write more clearly. And that’s our final requirement for your introduction.

Body Paragraphs of a Classification Essay

Classification essay's main body commonly has around 1-3 paragraphs. But don't forget to ask your professor about the length. The important thing to remember is that you are classifying items in your work. In order to achieve precise and successful organization, your body paragraphs must be concise. Each body paragraph should focus on a certain group. You're not making mashed potatoes. So stacking all of your ideas in one section would create a mess. Keep it simple in terms of structure:

Paragraph 1 — fruits organized by their color
Paragraph 2 — fruits arranged by expert location
Paragraph 3 — fruits ordered by size or shape

A simple and understandable organization will make your writing sharp. And your readers will definitely say thank you!

Classification Essay Conclusion

A classification essay conclusion is, just like always, crème de la crème of any article. At this point, your reader knows everything you were telling them. They know all your data, issues, and ideas. Thus, quickly summarizing what they’ve read in your body paragraphs will help a lot. But the last thing to do is organize your conclusion while leaving an impression. Now, their impressions can be different. However, your readers must think about your work for at least some time. So your conclusion must end with something intriguing like the possible future of your topic or piece of mind for the readers. Just don’t include any new information, and you’ll do fantastically!

Classification Essay Writing: Useful Tips

Even with our help, classification essay writing is challenging. So we prepared for you several good tips that will help you improve and ease your academic life. Check them out:

Define the purpose of the article before you start writing.
Avoid popular and often used topics.
Write down a number of topics before picking one. (We have a list of classification essay topics at your disposal.)
Choose a subject that will be personally interesting for you.
Remember that you are also writing for someone else who might not know everything about your topic.
Edit and proofread your work.
Take a break from writing once in a while and come back with a fresh mind and new look.
Don’t try writing about everything simultaneously. Instead, focus on one category and lead with it.

With these steps, we can definitely say that you’re ready.

Classification Essay Examples

How could we leave you without classification essay samples? You’re right; we couldn’t. Check out this example. Keep in mind that our examples always have characteristics that we talked about. So you can read the sample and return back for this article or do some revision. It will help you a lot. What are you waiting for? You can find the example right here. Or simply buy essay for college to avoid any hard work this evening.

Classification Essay: Bottom Line

Who knew that writing a classification essay wasn’t that hard? We did, and now you know that, too. You have everything it takes to create an excellent paper. You know that:

Your thesis is the most essential part of the essay.
The introduction must contain general information on the subject.
Body paragraphs must be carefully organized.
A conclusion should leave an impression without including new information.

But if you’re still looking for proficient help, our academic writing services got you covered. Our writers do excellent research before writing a paper and deliver high-quality results. We are also proud of our timely delivery of the papers.

FAQ about Classification Essays

1. what is the purpose of a classification essay.

The purpose of a classification essay is to organize and classify. In the beginning, you have several unique items. They indeed have some things in common. So your job is to identify in what categories they fit best. After doing the research and careful learning, you must put everything you have gathered into words. But still, keep in mind that the second purpose is to make your essay and classification clear to the reader.

2. How long is a classification essay?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to classification essay length. Everything will depend on the guidelines. Usually, such articles are 3 to 5 paragraphs long. Their minimum is always an introduction, one body paragraph, and conclusion. However, professors definitely enjoy 5 paragraphs as a standard length. But you always need to remember that the essay should be long enough to provide necessary information for the reader. Or it must be short enough not to drag it out.

3. What is the difference between a division and classification essay?

Division and classification essays are only slightly different. The items you choose for classification essays must belong to strict and certain categories. They cannot overlap or belong to two different groups. On the other hand, division essays allow the subjects to move from one group to another. They might be divided into different groups or categories and thus overlap.

4. What are different types of classification?

There are several types of classification. Depending on the particular topic, you can choose a specific type that fits the best. Here’s what you can choose from:

Spatial classification (location, place and so on).
Chronological (you must take time and dates into consideration).
Classification by attributes (qualitative).
Classification by size (quantitative with numbers and statistics).

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

How to Write a Classification Essay?

17 July, 2020

8 minutes read

Author: Elizabeth Brown

Classification essay is comparable to painting creation - an artist works on a specific structure that holds the picture’s elements together and glues different layers to create a powerful visual effect. The same principle applies to a writing piece, in which the central role is devoted to getting things in order. In this article, we’ll discuss the main features and components of a great classification essay and share some tips and tricks on how to take your piece of writing to the next level.

Classification essay definition

We bet the first thing you want to know concerning the topic is what is a classification essay? This is the task which you’ll most likely deal with at some point in your student life. The essence of this assignment is related to categorization and generalization. Remember these two words because they form the true meaning of classification essay. Also, division and classification are those elements of this essay type which highly correlate and have equal importance for essay creation. Therefore, the main task here is to organize or sort things into categories.

How to write a classification essay

Careful attention to planning marks the indication of quality in terms of classification essay. At this point, the main task is to learn how to structure the paper. The length of an article may vary, but the most frequently used “five paragraphs” method is typically applied for classification writing. What does this structure suggest? It has to do with a logical division of your essay into blocks and categories, every one of which should clarify a particular issue.

The first and one of the essential paragraphs is the introductory one. It’s an opening which illuminates the matter you’re going to discuss and the subject you’ll categorize. Besides, you can outline the purpose of your classification essay to readers to bring more clarity into the discussion. Answer the question of why you are categorizing the chosen items and what criteria you use for each of them. Then, you’ll need to close the introduction paragraph with a thesis. It will briefly sum up the objective of your classification and division essay, and identify the categories which you’ll be using for a paper.

The second part is the essay body. Here, a couple of paragraphs are applicable, preferably 3 and more. The most critical nuance you should remember while composing a body is that each paragraph will deal with a separate category. The best way to organize the central part of your division essay is to explain the criteria for each category and desirably, discuss strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, you should include examples that’ll back up your statements with a piece of evidence. Notably, there should be an equal amount of examples for every category to spread the evidence evenly. If your paragraphs in the main body are lengthy, you can also divide them into shorter ones to create a smooth transition between the blocks of text and improve readability.

The final paragraph of your classification essay is a conclusion. The closing statements will sum up the different categories highlighted in the body. Also, it’s advisable to restate each category and advise readers on the subject matter. However, if you choose to recommend this or that topic over the others, don’t forget to state the reason for your stance. This way, readers will take into account your well-grounded explanation, which is deprived of subjectivity, and make relevant conclusions for themselves.

Apart from the basic understanding of classification essay structure , you should also get prepared for the writing process. For many, implementing theory on practice is even more challenging than the stage of composing an essay. Nonetheless, with enough patience and endurance, this process is really not so bad after all. So, what steps do you need to make in order to prepare well for classification paper writing?

First things first, planning is everything when it comes to the assignment that implies classification. Without a clear and coherent plan, there’s no way you can write a good paper. Therefore, make sure that you have a robust scheme before writing your essay. For this, proceed with the following planning steps:

Generate Ideas. Evidently, your essay won’t write itself. If your professor has not assigned you a specific topic, it’s time to do some brainstorming. Remember – you need to choose a group of people, things, or ideas that can be easily divided into categories and then compared.
Choose Your Classification Method. Aim at one principle for classification for each category you describe. For example, if you write about people, you can categorize them by age, gender, appearance, or other factors. This will help you better structure your essay and make it look more organized in the eyes of readers.
Create a Thesis Statement. As previously mentioned, the thesis statement is the element which closes the introduction of your classification essay. It should include such information as the subject matter, the categories, and the criteria used to classify each category. Besides, you can note down the purpose of your division into these categories.

Classification essay outline

The outline is a general description or plan that schematically displays the main points of your essay. The main point of an outline is to help you see the structure of your essay and use it as a useful guide for writing. Usually, a typical outline describes the essence of each point in one sentence. Also, bullet points are not uncommon, so you can use them to arrange a plan the way you feel is the most appropriate.

Classification essay topics

There is a plethora of themes and subjects for division classification essays to choose from, but most of them are hard to think of straight away. That’s why we’ve collected the list of the top used classification topics for you to facilitate the process of generating ideas or searching for ones elsewhere.

The most popular devices students use nowadays
Colors and their meaning in the paintings of Frida Kahlo
The evolution of rock-music types
Standard methods students use to prepare for exams
Public speakers that have moved the world
Unique factors to determine a successful relationship
How to improve child-parent relationships
Main motives to start a political career
Learning techniques for college students
Types of TV comedy shows
Traveling destinations
The main types of mobile applications
Communication possibilities online
Strategies for making decisions in business
Leadership and leader types
Conflicts at the job and ways to cope with them
The motivation for doing sports
Methods to reduce stress

No matter which theme you choose for your classification essay and what techniques you implement to make them elaborated, remember always to keep the structure in mind. The first step to writing this type of assignment is not just sitting and jotting down detached ideas, but planning out clear statements which can later be transmitted on paper. Hopefully, our advice will help you on the way to writing an excellent classification essay which your professor will mark with an A+ grade.

Problems with writing Your Classification Essay? Try our Online Essay Writer Service!

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

Basic Approaches to Drafting a Five-Paragraph Essay

Writing Essays
Writing Research Papers
English Grammar
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. After you have settled on a topic for a classification essay * and explored it through various prewriting strategies, you should be ready to attempt a first draft . Here is how to develop and organize a five-paragraph classification essay .

Introductory Paragraph

In your introduction , clearly identify your subject — in this case, the group you are classifying. If you have narrowed your subject in any way (for example, types of bad drivers, rock guitarists, or annoying moviegoers), make this clear from the start.

You may also want to provide some specific descriptive or informative details to attract the interest of your readers and suggest the purpose of the essay .

Finally, include a thesis sentence (usually at the end of the introduction) that briefly identifies the main types or approaches that you're about to examine.

Intro Paragraph Example: Baseball Fans

Here's an example of a short but effective introductory paragraph to a classification essay:

It's a warm evening in July, and all across the country Americans are gathering to watch a game of professional baseball. Armed with hot dogs and cold drinks, they stroll to their seats, some in grand stadiums, others in cozy minor-league parks. But no matter where the game is played, you will find the same three types of baseball fan: the Party Rooter, the Sunshine Supporter, and the Diehard Fan.

Notice how this introduction creates certain expectations. The specific details provide a setting (a ballpark on "a warm evening in July") in which we expect to see the various fans described. In addition, the labels assigned to these fans (the Party Rooter , the Sunshine Supporter , and the Diehard Fan ) lead us to expect descriptions of each type in the order they're given. A good writer will go on to fulfill these expectations in the body of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that identifies a particular type of approach. Then illustrate each type with specific details.

Arrange your body paragraphs in whatever order strikes you as clear and logical — say, from the least effective approach to the most effective, or from the most common type to the least familiar (or the other way around). Just make sure that the order of your body paragraphs matches the arrangement promised in your thesis sentence.

Body Paragraphs Example: Types of Fans

Here, in the body of the essay on baseball fans, you can see that the writer has fulfilled the expectations set up in the introduction. (In each body paragraph, the topic sentence is in italics.)

The Party Rooter goes to games for the hot dogs, the gimmicks, the giveaways, and the companionship; he's not really that interested in the ballgame itself. The Party Rooter is the sort of fan who shows up on Buck-a-Brew Night, often with a gang of fellow partiers. He cracks jokes, hurls peanuts at the team mascot, applauds the exploding scoreboard, blasts an electronic horn whenever he pleases—and occasionally nudges a companion and asks, "Hey, who's winning?" The Party Rooter often wanders out of the park in the sixth or seventh inning to continue his celebrations in the car on the way home. The Sunshine Supporter, usually a more common type than the Party Rooter, goes to the park to cheer on a winning team and bask in its glory. When the home side is on a winning streak and still in contention for a playoff spot, the stadium will be packed with this sort of fan. As long as her team is winning, the Sunshine Supporter will be roaring at every play, waving her pennant and shouting out the names of her heroes. However, as the name implies, the Sunshine Supporter is a fickle fan, and her cheers quickly turn to boos when a hero strikes out or drops a line drive. She will stay around until the end of the game to celebrate a victory, but should her team fall a few runs behind, she's likely to slip out to the parking lot during the seventh-inning stretch. Diehard Fans are also strong supporters of the local team, but they go to the park to watch good baseball, not just to root for a winner. More attentive to the game than other fans, Diehards will study the stance of a power hitter, note the finesse of a quick fielder, and anticipate the strategy of a pitcher who has fallen behind in the count. While the Party Rooter is chugging a beer or dropping wisecracks, Diehards may be filling in a scorecard or commenting on a player's RBI tally over the past few months. And when a Sunshine Supporter boos an opposing player for tagging out a local hero, Diehards may be quietly applauding the expert moves of this "enemy" infielder. No matter what the score is, Diehard Fans remain in their seats until the last batter is out, and they may still be talking about the game long after it's over.

Comparisons Ensure Cohesion

Notice how the writer uses comparisons to ensure cohesion in the body of the essay. The topic sentence in both the second and third paragraphs refers to the preceding paragraph. Likewise, in the third body paragraph, the writer draws explicit contrasts between the Diehards and the other two types of baseball fans.

Such comparisons not only provide smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next but also reveal the sympathies of the writer. He begins with the type of fan he likes the least and ends with the one he most admires. We now expect the writer to justify his attitudes in the conclusion.

Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph gives you an opportunity to draw together the various types and approaches you have been examining in the body of the essay. You may choose to offer a final brief comment on each one, summarizing its value or its limitations. Or you may want to recommend one approach over the others and explain why. In any case, make sure that your conclusion clearly emphasizes the purpose of your classification.

Concluding Paragraph: Only the Diehard Fans Remain

In the concluding paragraph to "Baseball Fans," consider whether the author has been successful in his effort to tie his observations together.

Professional baseball would have trouble surviving without all three types of fans. The Party Rooters provide much of the money that owners need to hire talented players. The Sunshine Supporters bring a stadium to life and help boost the morale of the home team. But only the Diehard Fans maintain their support all season long, year in and year out. By late September in most ballparks, enduring chilly winds, rain delays, and sometimes humiliating losses, only the Diehards remain.

Connecting the Conclusion to the Introduction

Notice how the writer hooks his conclusion back to the introduction by contrasting the chilly night in September with the warm evening in July. Connections such as this help to unify an essay and give it a sense of completeness.

As you develop and organize your draft , experiment with various strategies, but keep this basic format in mind: an introduction that identifies your subject and the different types of approaches; three (or more) body paragraphs that rely on specific details to describe or illustrate the types; and a conclusion that draws your points together and makes the overall purpose of the classification clear.

Understanding General-to-Specific Order in Composition
The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
How To Write an Essay
What Is Expository Writing?
Definition and Examples of Body Paragraphs in Composition
Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
How to Structure an Essay
How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
3 Changes That Will Take Your Essay From Good To Great
How to Write a Great Essay for the TOEFL or TOEIC
How to Write Your Graduate School Admissions Essay
What an Essay Is and How to Write One
How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay

Page Content
Sidebar Content
Main Navigation
Quick links

All TIP Sheets
Writing a Summary
Writing Paragraphs
Writing an Analogy
Writing a Descriptive Essay
Writing a Persuasive Essay
Writing a Compare/Contrast Paper
Writing Cause and Effect Papers
Writing a Process Paper
Writing a Classification Paper
Definitions of Writing Terms
How to Write Clearly
Active and Passive Voice
Developing a Thesis and Supporting Arguments
Writing Introductions & Conclusions
How to Structure an Essay: Avoiding Six Weaknesses in Papers
Writing Book Reports
Writing about Literature
Writing about Non-Fiction Books
Poetry: Meter and Related Topics
Revising and Editing
Proofreading

Writing A Classification Paper

TIP Sheet WRITING A CLASSIFICATION PAPER

Classification is sorting things into groups or categories on a single basis of division. A classification paper says something meaningful about how a whole relates to parts, or parts relate to a whole. Like skimming, scanning, paraphrasing, and summarizing, classification requires the ability to group related words, ideas, and characteristics.

Prewriting and purpose It is a rare writer, student or otherwise, who can sit down and draft a classification essay without prewriting. A classification paper requires that you create categories, so prewriting for a classification paper involves grouping things in different ways in order to discover what categories make the most sense for the purpose you intend.

An important part of creating useful categories is seeing the different ways that things can be grouped. For example, a list of United States presidents may be grouped in any number of ways, depending on your purpose. They might be classified by political party, age on taking office, or previous occupations, but you could just as well, depending on your purpose, classify them by the pets they keep or how they keep physically fit. If your purpose was to analyze presidential administrations, you would group information focusing on the presidents' more public actions–say, cabinet appointments and judicial nominations. On the other hand, if you intended to write about the private lives of presidents, you might select information about personal relationships or hobbies.

Make sure the categories you create have a single basis of classification and that the group fits the categories you propose. You may not, for example, write about twentieth century presidents on the basis of the kinds of pets they kept if some of those presidents did not keep pets. The group does not fit the category. If you intend to talk about all the presidents, you must reinvent the categories so that all the presidents fit into it. In the example below, the group is "all U.S. presidents" and the two categories are "those who kept pets and those who did not":

Some U.S. presidents have indulged their love of pets, keeping menageries of animals around the White House, and others have preferred the White House pet-free.

Alternatively, in the following example, the group is "twentieth century U.S. presidential pet-keepers" and the three categories are "dog lovers, cat lovers, and exotic fish enthusiasts."

Among the twentieth century presidents who kept pets, presidential pet-keepers can be classified as dog-lovers, cat-lovers, or exotic fish enthusiasts (for who can really love a fish?).

Developing a thesis Once you have decided on your group, purpose, and categories, develop a thesis statement that does the following three things:

names what group of people or things you intend to classify describes the basis of the classification labels the categories you have developed

Here is a thesis statement for a classification paper written for a Health and Human Fitness class that includes all three of the above elements, underlined:

Our last five U.S. presidents have practiced physical fitness regimens that varied from the very formal to the informal . They have been either regular private gym-goers, disciplined public joggers, or casual active sports enthusiasts.

Ordering categories Order is the way you arrange ideas to show how they relate to one another. For example, it is common to arrange facts and discussion points from most- to least-important or from least- to most-important, or from oldest to most recent or longest to shortest. The example thesis statement above is ordered from most- to least-formal physical fitness activities. There is no one right way; use an ordering system that seems best to suit your purpose and the type of information you are working with.

For example, suppose you are writing about the last five U.S. presidents for a psychology class. If you wish to show that these presidents' public decisions spring directly from negative issues in their personal relationships, you might order your information from most private to more public actions to clearly establish this connection. Or, if you wish to give the reader the impression that he is moving into increasingly intimate knowledge of personal presidential foibles, you may choose the reverse, ordering your information from public to private.

Signal words Signal phrases, or transitions, typically used for classification papers include the following:

this type of... several kinds of... in this category... can be divided into... classified according to... is categorized by...

These phrases signal to the reader your intention to divide and sort things. They also contribute to the unity of the paper.

Classification requires that you invent (or discover) abstract categories, impose them on a concrete whole, and derive something new-a tall order that you can, nevertheless, manage if you resist the temptation to skip the brainstorming steps. Remember that clinical dissection is never an aim in itself; the point of classification is to reveal and communicate something meaningful.

Butte College | 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville CA 95965 | General Information (530) 895-2511

I nfographics
Show AWL words
Subscribe to newsletter
What is academic writing?
Academic Style
What is the writing process?
Understanding the title
Brainstorming
Researching
First draft
Proofreading
Report writing
Compare & contrast
Cause & effect
Problem-solution

Classification

Essay structure
Introduction
Literature review
Book review
Research proposal
Thesis/dissertation
What is cohesion?
Cohesion vs coherence
Transition signals
What are references?
In-text citations
Reference sections
Reporting verbs
Band descriptors

Show AWL words on this page.

Levels 1-5: grey Levels 6-10: orange

Show sorted lists of these words.

Any words you don't know? Look them up in the website's built-in dictionary .

Choose a dictionary . Wordnet OPTED both

To classify means to divide something into groups or categories. The classification is normally made according to one or more criteria. It is often necessary in academic English to classify something you are writing about in order to make comparisons and draw conclusions. This could be done in one or two sentences, a paragraph, or even a whole essay. This page gives information about how to classify , language for classification , and essay structure (if the classification is used for a whole essay).

How to classify

When classifying something, it is important to understand what criterion (or criteria , if there is more than one) that you are using to divide the thing into different groups. There may be more than one way to classify, and you will need to choose the criteria which make most sense for what you are writing about. For example, if you were to classify students in a university class, they could be divided according to any of the following criteria:

nationality
favourite colour

Classifying according to gender would divide the students into 'male' and 'female'. Dividing according to age is more complex, as you may need to specify age ranges, for example 'between 18 and 21', 'between 22 and 25', etc.

Language for classifying

The language used for classifying depends on whether you are describing the criterion or the result of applying the criterion. Compare the following examples.

The students in the class can be classified according to gender. [ criterion ]
The students in the class can be classified into male and female. [ result ]

The phrase 'according to' shows that you are talking about the criterion, while the word 'into' shows you are talking about the result. The following are further examples of language for classification using a criterion.

The students in the class may be classified on the basis of gender. [ criterion ]
The students in the class can be classified depending on gender. [ criterion ]

The following are further examples of language for classification showing the result.

Economics consists of two kinds: micro-economics and macro-economics. [ result ]
Economics consists of micro-economics and macro-economics. [ result ]
Economics comprises micro-economics and macro-economics. [ result ]

It may be necessary to classify when there is no name for the criterion you are using. For example, you may wish to divide a group into Asian and non-Asian students, but there is no category 'Asian-ness' which you can use as your criterion. In this case, you can use the construction 'according to whether... or not' to define the criterion. The language for stating the result is the same. See the following examples:

The students in the class can be classified according to whether they are Asian or not . [ criterion ]
The students in the class can be classified into Asian and non-Asian. [ result ]

Finally, it may be necessary to sub-divide, that is, to divide something which has already been divided. In this case, use 'sub-divided' for the second classification, and 'further sub-divided' for the next. See this example:

The students in the class can be classified according to gender. They can be sub-divided according to whether they are Asian or not . They can be further sub-divided according to age, into those who are below 25 years of age and those who are above 25.

According to this classification, we will end up with eight groups: Asian males under 25, Asian males over 25, non-Asian males under 25, etc. This is summarised in the following diagram.

There are two main ways to structure a classification essay. The first way, shown in the diagram below (left), is when a single criterion (or single way of categorising) is used, resulting in distinct categories. The purpose of this type of structure is to show understanding of the categories, or justify the method of classification, by giving the categories and describing their characteristics. Sometimes the categories may be sub-divided into sub-categories, which may be listed or described. For the single-criterion classification essay, the criterion (if there is one) should be given in the general background of the introduction, and the thesis statement should list the categories which will be described in the main body. Each body paragraph will usually describe one category in detail.

The second way, shown in the diagram below (right), is when multiple criteria are used to classify the topic in different ways. The purpose of this type of classification is to show understanding of how the topic can be categorised, or justify the criteria for classification, by giving the criteria and showing examples of groupings using these criteria. For the multiple-criteria classification essay, the thesis statement should list the criteria which are described in the main body. Each body paragraph will usually describe the criteria and the groups it leads to. Depending on the level of detail, the examples might be broken down into separate paragraphs.

The two types of structure are shown in the diagram below.

GET FREE EBOOK

Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .

Below is a checklist for classification. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Next section

Find out how to structure an essay in the next section.

Previous section

Go back to the previous section about definitions .

Definitions

Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 31 October 2019.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

15.5 Classification Essay

Learning objective.

Read an example of the classification rhetorical mode.

Types of Higher Education Programs

Today’s students have many choices when it comes to pursuing a degree: four-year programs, two-year programs, large or small classroom settings, and even daytime or evening classes. With all the different options to consider, potential students should learn about the different types of colleges so they can find a school that best fits their personality, budget, and educational goals.

One type of higher education program for students to consider is a liberal arts college. These schools tend to be small in size and offer a range of undergraduate degrees in subjects like English, history, psychology, and education. Students may choose a liberal arts college if they want a more intimate classroom setting rather than large lecture-style classes. Students may also consider a liberal arts college if they want to gain knowledge from a variety of disciplines, rather than focus on a single area of study. Many liberal arts schools are privately owned, and some have religious affiliations. Liberal arts schools can come with a hefty price tag, and their high cost presents an obstacle for students on a tight budget; moreover, while some students might appreciate a liberal arts school’s intimate atmosphere, others might encounter a lack of diversity in the student body. Still, students seeking a well-rounded education in the humanities will find liberal arts colleges to be one option.

Universities, another type of higher education program, offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Usually universities are larger than colleges and can accommodate tens of thousands of students in many different majors and areas of study. A large student body means that class sizes are often larger, and some classes may be taught by graduate students rather than professors. Students will feel at home at a university if they want a focused academic program and state-of-the-art research facilities. While some universities are private, many are public, which means they receive funding from the government, so tuition is more affordable and some even offer discounted in-state tuition for state residents. Also, universities attract many international students, so those looking for a variety of campus cultural groups and clubs will appreciate a greater sense of diversity among the student body. Universities can be overwhelming for some, but they are the right fit for students who seek research opportunities and academic studies, especially in the fields of mathematics and science.

Community college is a type of higher education program popular with students on a limited budget who want to take college courses but may not know what they want to major in. Most schools offer degrees after two years of study, usually an associate’s degree that prepares students to enter the work force; many students choose to study at a community college for two years and then transfer to a four-year college to complete their undergraduate degree. Like liberal arts schools, classes are small and allow instructors to pay more attention to their students. Community college allows students to live at home rather than in a dormitory, which also keeps costs down. While some young people might not like the idea of living at home for school, many adults choose to attend community college so they can advance their education while working and living with their families.

Online universities are another type of higher education program that are gaining popularity as technology improves. These schools offer many of the same degree programs as traditional liberal arts colleges and universities. Unlike traditional programs, which require students to attend classes and lectures, online universities offer greater academic flexibility and are a great option for students wishing to pursue a degree while still working full time. At online universities, students access course materials, such as video lectures and assessments, remotely using a personal computer and are able to speed up or slow down their progress to complete their degree at their own pace. Students may attend classes in the comfort of their own home or a local library, but students hoping for the social community of higher education might not enjoy this aspect of higher education.

With so many colleges and universities to choose from, it may be difficult for a student to narrow down his or her selection, but once a student knows what he or she is looking for, the process may become much easier. It is very important for students to learn about the different types of higher education programs available before making their selections.

Online Classification Essay Alternatives

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in Mother Tongue

http://theessayexperiencefall2013.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/files/2013/09/Mother-Tongue-by-Amy-Tan.pdf

JCTC Learning Commons
Learning Guides
Writing and Research Process

Writing Academic Essays

Classification Essay
Introduction

What is a classification essay?

Topics and categories, examples of good and bad topics.

Process Essay
Compare and Contrast Essay
Cause and Effect Essay
Argumentative Essay
Reaction Essay
Grammar This link opens in a new window
More Resources

Get in Touch

Available Mon - Thurs 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 2pm

Try Our FAQs

Learning Commons Quick Links

Tutoring - Writing, math and more

Learning Guides - Quick learning

Hours - Find out when we're open

Library Search - Find materials

Databases - Articles and more!

InterLibrary Loan - Request books

Books - Recommended books

eBooks - Thousands of free eBooks

Streaming Video - Learn by watching

Use the Library Search to find books, eBooks, articles, and more!

You can find Learning Commons information, book recommendations and so much more on JCTC's social media.

When confronted with a complicated subject, we are often overwhelmed with information. A classification essay is designed to take a complex topic and break it down into more manageable and understandable categories, digestible pieces that a reader can easily break down.

This method of organization can be seen in how we structure and categorize our everyday lives. Take the Jefferson Learning Commons, as an example. The library houses thousands of books, which would be hard to browse if they were thrown haphazardly on shelves. Instead, all the fiction is organized alphabetically by author on the first floor, while the second floor houses all the non-fiction organized by subject. This allows a student to find the book they are looking for without searching every shelf.

Topics: When choosing a topic make sure the topic is complex enough to be divided into categories, while not being so broad that the reader is overwhelmed with categories.

Categories: Since a classification essay breaks a topic or subject into categories, it is important for each category to be distinct from one another. Categories that overlap will be nebulous and difficult for a reader to understand. Topics can be broken down many ways. If one way isn’t working, try brainstorming a new way to divide the topic.

Good Topic: Transportation

Categories:

Taxi (Uber or Lyft)
Personal Automobile

Each category is distinct from one another, with a single defining feature.

Bad Topic: Video game genres

Roleplay (RPG)
Japanese RPG (JRPG)

The differences of some categories are very murky. A RPG is defined by things like character creation and level progression. However, these two elements are found in many soulslike games. This makes the topic of video game genres difficult to breakdown into easily definable categories.

<< Previous: Introduction
Next: Process Essay >>
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024 2:52 PM
URL: https://jefferson.kctcs.libguides.com/Essay

Calculators
Swot Analysis
Pestle Analysis
Five Forces Analysis
Organizational Structure
Copywriting
Research Topics
Student Resources

Services We Provide

Resources We Provide

Login / Register

From Topic to Publication: Classification Essay Handbook
Mastering The Art of Academic Essay Writing With Examples

Classification essays are among the common types of essays that students are assigned as a part of academic assessments. Although classification essays are quite simple and straightforward, there is a proper structure and format that you need to follow. Following the right format will give you an ultimate opportunity to score well in your classification essay tasks.

What is a classification essay
How to write a classification essay
Hook of a classification essay
Thesis statement of a classification essay
Outline of a classification essay
Body of a classification essay
Conclusion of a classification essay

Having said that, this is your all-inclusive guide to writing excellent classification essays that can serve as a perfect template for your fellow students. So, let us get started without further ado.

What is a classification essay?

As the name suggests, in a classification essay, you need to organize a topic or idea into different classes or categories. The topic here can correlate to tangible things like types (classes) of cars, supercomputers, constructions, or aircraft. Alternatively, the topic can also relate to some intangible concepts like psychological behaviors, leadership theories , motivators, or determinants of cognitive development.

Let us look at a few examples of classification essay prompts

Discuss the various types of political systems prevalent in the world
Shed light on the different types of democracies
Discuss the various classes of leadership styles
Discuss different types of child abuse and a possible response to the same

So, as you can see, each of these examples is asking you to discuss a topic in a way that you present the different classifications of the topic in a descriptive way along with examples if possible.

Like any other essay, a classification essay also has three sections inclusive of the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Going ahead, this guide takes you through the entire process of writing an impressive classification essay starting with an impactful introduction. Further, the guide will discuss how you can arrange the topic into different categories in the body paragraphs. Lastly, the guide delineates how you can conclude a classification essay in an impressive manner.

How to write the introduction of a classification essay?

Let us now look at a section-wise approach to writing a classification essay beginning with the introduction. For better understanding, we can take an example essay prompt to explain what needs to be included in each section.

Example essay prompt: Shed light on the different types of democracies

An effective introduction is one that can create an immediate influence on the readers such that they feel enticed to read the entire essay with great curiosity. Besides, a great introduction should clearly explain to the reader what the essay is about and the key aspects it will be delineating.

So, if we talk about classification essays, the introduction should clearly establish the topic or the idea that you are organizing into different classifications. So, if we take our example prompt into account, the introduction will clearly state that the essay will delve deep into the different classifications of democracy.

Before we proceed ahead with the introduction, you need to know that an impactful introduction has the following elements:

Background brief
Thesis statement

Introduction element: Hook of a classification essay

A hook is the very first statement of the essay introduction that is aimed at creating an immediate impact. A hook can be made around statistics relevant to the topic, a strong claim, an unexplored fact, or even something humorous subject to the context of the essay.

The hook of your classification essay should introduce the broader topic in an effective manner to create importance around the topic. So, as per our essay prompt, the hook should make a strong claim about democracy or present an insightful fact relating to democracy. Let us look at a sample hook.

Example hook

In Greek history, while some cities were termed democracies, others were termed oligarchies and that is where democracy finds its origin.

In this hook, we have talked about the origin of democracy as a concept and it presents a little-known fact to the readers to grab instant attention. After the hook, you will include the background brief of the topic followed by the purpose of the essay. So, if we talk about this essay topic, you will then give a background brief of democracy and how democratic virtues have evolved over the years in a concise way, and how your essay aims at delving deep into the different forms of democracies. After the purpose, comes the thesis statement which is explained in the subsequent section.

Introduction element: Thesis statement of a classification essay

In the general context, a thesis statement concisely explains the central theme of the essay highlighting the main ideas that are discussed in the body paragraphs. For a classification essay, a thesis statement will explain how the essay sheds light on the different classifications of the topic at hand and also introduces the classes you will be mentioning. You need to specify the names of the classification and also explain the basis of classifications. The thesis statement basically labels the classes or categories that you are bifurcating the central top into.

You will get greater clarity when you look at the sample thesis statement of the classification essay prompt we have chosen as our example.

Sample thesis statement

The essay discusses the prominent classifications of democracy which include participative democracy, representative democracy, and direct democracy, and how they differ from each other.

This thesis statement establishes a clear understanding of the various classes of the central idea that will be discussed in the essay. Next comes the outline of the essay with which you conclude your introductory paragraph.

Introduction element: outline of a classification essay

In the outline of the essay, you need to explain the structure of the body paragraphs. Simply put, the outline defines what the body paragraphs will include. In the usual sense, an essay includes three to five body paragraphs. So, the outline will clearly demarcate what each body paragraph will include.

Let us look at the outline of our example essay prompt to establish a better understanding of how to explain the outline of the essay at the end of the essay introduction .

Sample outline

First, the essay elaborates on participative democracy along with examples of countries where participative democracy is prevalent. Secondly, the essay explains representative democracy and lists a few countries where this class of democracy prevails. Lastly, the essay elucidates direct democracy along with examples of countries where this class of democracy exists.

How to write the body of a classification essay?

Next comes the body paragraphs of a classification essay. This is where you need to organize the different classifications of the topic into different body paragraphs. In the usual sense, a classification essay includes three to four body paragraphs. So, if there are three or four classifications, you can conveniently add one classification to each body paragraph. However, there can be cases when there are seven to eight classifications of a topic. In that case, you need to club the classifications in a way that you can cover them in three to four paragraphs.

Also, after the number of paragraphs, the order of paragraphs is also a key consideration in a classification essay. The order can be from the least relevant to the most relevant or the other way around. This order needs to be coherent with the basis of the classification.

Having said that, you need to follow the right structure for writing a body paragraph. Speaking of the structure of a body paragraph, you need to include the following aspects.

Topic sentence
Evidence in support/ examples
Concluding sentence

So, in a classification essay, the topic sentence will clearly explain the class that the body paragraph will be discussing along with the examples. In this way, by reading the first line of the body paragraph, the readers will clearly know what the body paragraph is about. You then need to define the category in a clear and concise way.

Going ahead, after the evidence and analysis, you need to give a brief conclusion at the end of the body paragraph. So, in a classification essay, you can conclude by discussing the merits, demerits, future implications, or changes in the current state of the category of the overall topic discussed in that particular body paragraph. Also, in an expository essay , it is imperative to end each paragraph with a transition sentence.

Let us understand the composition of the body paragraph of a classification essay through a sample.

Sample body paragraph

Participative democracy is one of the most prevalent types of democracies in contemporary times and empowers citizens to have a direct influence on political decision-making. To substantiate, in a participative democracy or participatory democracy, citizens participate directly in framing the political policies of the country (Martinez et al., 2008). In a participative democracy, the citizens have access to policymakers through different access points like town hall meetings. Further, citizens can also voice their concerns and influence political decision-making referendums and memorandums (Morel, 2012). It is analyzed that participative democracy exists in varying magnitudes across the globe with the most prominent examples being Spain and Italy. Countries all over the world are now making efforts to make their democracies more participative in nature and citizens also share the same ambition. However, there are also some limitations of participatory democracy that need to be taken into consideration. The participation of the public in policy measures can lead to unprecedented delays in decision-making and additional expenditure to create access points. Hence, countries need to maintain the right balance between participation in a democracy and other power-sharing arrangements.

As you can see, the body paragraph talks only about one classification of democracy discussing its definition, implications and limitations. Ultimately, there is a brief conclusion to the body paragraph. In a similar manner, you need to arrange every class (type) into different body paragraphs along the structure of a classification essay.

Lastly, after organizing every classification in body paragraphs, you then need to give an overall conclusion to the essay. The next section discusses how you need to go about the conclusion of a classification essay.

How to write the conclusion of a classification essay?

The conclusion of the essay needs to basically restate the thesis statement and the key ideas that have been discussed in the body paragraphs. What you can do differently in a classification essay’s conclusion is, you can draw a concise comparison between different categories or classes discussed in the body paragraphs.

So, if your classification essay is on the types of business automation tools , you can conclude along the lines of which classes of automation tools are the best. Alternatively, you can conclude by discussing which automation tools are in the highest demand in contemporary times. Let us make it clearer for you by putting forth the conclusion for our example essay prompt.

Sample conclusion

To conclude, all three classifications of democracy discussed in this essay have striking contrasts in terms of their features, feasibility, and context. It is analyzed that these forms of democracy can also co-exist in the same political system in varying magnitudes as different local governments in a country may exercise different forms of democracy. From the citizens' perspective, participative democracy is the most effective and desirable form of democratic governance as it gives them direct participation in political decision-making with respect to political measures.

We are sure that you already feel like an expert at writing classification essays having gone through this guide diligently. Irrespective of the topic, now you exactly know how you need to go about writing an excellent classification essay.

What makes classification essays different from other types of essays?

Most essays focus on discussing a point or evaluating a topic, while on the other hand classification essays solely focus on arranging and explaining various categories within the subject matter. They present information systematically and organized, allowing readers to comprehend the topic's different facets.

What are some effective strategies for transitioning between categories in my essay?

Effective transitions are vital to maintaining a smooth flow in your classification essay. You can use transitional words and phrases like "firstly," "next," "similarly," "on the other hand," "in contrast," "finally," etc. These transitional cues help readers understand the shift from one category to another.

Macdonald DeWitt Library at SUNY Ulster

Eng 101 oer: classification.

Reading to Write
Why We Write
Rhetorical Context
Brainstorming
Proofreading & Editing
Paragraph Development
Thesis Statements
Introductions
Conclusions
Transitions & Phrases
Peer Reviews
Exemplification
Classification
Cause/Effect
Grammar Resources

Learning Objectives

Determine the purpose and structure of the classification essay.
Understand how to write a classification essay.

The Purpose of Dividing & Classifying

The purpose of classification is to break down broad subjects into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. We classify things in our daily lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. Cell phones, for example, have now become part of a broad category. They can be classified as feature phones, media phones, and smartphones.

Smaller categories, and the way in which these categories are created, help us make sense of the world. Keep both of these elements in mind when writing a classification essay.

The Structure of a Division/Classification Essay

The classification essay opens with an introductory paragraph that introduces the broader topic. The thesis should then explain how that topic is divided into subgroups and why. Take the following introductory paragraph, for example:

When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is

actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to

explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York state, it is helpful to

break it into these five separate regions: Long Island, New York City, Western New York,

Central New York, and Northern New York.

The thesis explains not only the category and subcategory but also the rationale for breaking it into those categories. Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show his or her readers a different way of considering the state.

Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph.

The conclusion should bring all the categories and subcategories back together again to show the reader the big picture. In the previous example, the conclusion might explain how the various sights and activities of each region of New York add to its diversity and complexity.

Writing a Division/Classification Essay

Start with an engaging opening that will adequately introduce the general topic that you will be dividing into smaller subcategories. Your thesis should come at the end of your introduction. It should include the topic, your subtopics, and the reason you are choosing to break down the topic in the way that you are. Use the following classification thesis equation:

topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis.

The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics. Each body paragraph is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subtopics. In a way, coming up with a strong topic pays double rewards in a classification essay. Not only do you have a good topic, but you also have a solid organizational structure within which to write.

Be sure you use strong details and explanations for each subcategory paragraph that help explain and support your thesis. Also, be sure to give examples to illustrate your points. Finally, write a conclusion that links all the subgroups together again. The conclusion should successfully wrap up your essay by connecting it to your topic initially discussed in the introduction.

Classification Essays

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in Mother Tongue :

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13297165/Mother-Tongue-By-Amy-Tan-I-Am-Not-A
http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/donna.gordon/sum-2010-engl-1301-5-wk-crn-33454/1301-reading-block-crn-33454/Tan_Mother%20Tongue.pdf
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/mcunningham/grapes/mother%20tounge.pdf

Jonathan Koppell discusses anonymity, your name, and how the Internet has changed in On the Internet, There’s No Place to Hide :

http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2000/on_the_internet_theres_no_place_to_hide

Student Sample Essay

Types of Higher Education Programs

Key Takeaways

The purpose of classification is to break a subject into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts.
Smaller subcategories help us make sense of the world, and the way in which these subcategories are created also helps us make sense of the world.
A classification essay is organized by its subcategories.

This is a derivative of WRITING FOR SUCCESS by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution, originally released and is used under CC BY-NC-SA. This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

<< Previous: Definition
Next: Comparison >>
Last Updated: Sep 7, 2023 10:19 AM
URL: https://libguides.sunyulster.edu/eng101oer

📕 Studying HQ

Ultimate guide to writing a classification essay, carla johnson.

June 14, 2023
Essay Topics and Ideas , How to Guides

When it comes to writing an essay, you can choose from many different kinds. A classification essay is one type of essay you might be asked to write. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay.

A classification essay is a type of academic writing in which things, people, or ideas are put into groups based on the things they have in common. The goal of a classification essay is to help readers understand a complicated topic better by breaking it down into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces.

It’s important to write a classification essay for more than one reason. First, it lets you show how well you can analyze and organize information in a way that makes sense. Second, it helps you learn how to think critically because you have to judge and compare different things or ideas. Lastly, it can help readers who are trying to understand a complicated topic by breaking it up into smaller pieces.

In the sections that follow, we’ll give you a step-by-step plan for how to write a good classification essay. By following these rules, you’ll be able to write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into clear categories and gives your readers useful information.

What You'll Learn

Understanding the Elements of a Classification Essay

To write a successful classification essay, it is important to understand the elements that make up this type of academic writing. These include:

– Definition of classification: Classification is the process of organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics. In a classification essay, you will use this process to group your topic into different categories that you will then explore in detail.

– Types of classification: There are several different ways to classify items or ideas, including by physical characteristics , function, importance, and chronological order. The type of classification you choose will depend on the specific topic you are exploring and the purpose of your essay .

– The importance of classification in writing a classification essay: Classification is a crucial element of a classification essay, as it allows you to effectively organize your ideas and present them in a way that is logical and easy to understand. By categorizing your topic, you will be able to provide valuable insights for your readers and help them better understand a complex topic.

Choosing a Topic for Your Classification Essay

Once you understand the elements of a classification essay, the next step is to choose a topic that is appropriate for this type of academic writing. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic for your classification essay:

– Identifying your audience: Before you choose a topic, it is important to consider your audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what their interests and needs are. This will help you tochoose a topic that is relevant and engaging for your readers.

– Brainstorming ideas: Once you have identified your audience, start brainstorming ideas for your classification essay. Think about topics that you are knowledgeable about and that are interesting to you. Consider different categories that you could use to classify your topic.

– Narrowing down your topic: After you have generated a list of potential topics, it is important to narrow down your options. Choose a topic that is specific enough to be manageable, but broad enough to provide you with enough material to write about.

– Finalizing your topic: Choose a final topic for your classification essay once you have narrowed down your list. Make sure your topic is clear and to the point, and that it is relevant to the people you are writing for.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to choose a topic for your classification essay that is appropriate, interesting, and relevant to your readers. Make sure to pick a topic that is narrow enough to be manageable but wide enough to give you enough to write about. Once you have a good topic for your classification essay, you can move on to the next steps.

Pre-Writing Strategies for Your Classification Essay

Before you start writing your classification essay, it’s important to take some time to prepare and plan your approach. Here are some pre-writing strategies to help you get started:

– Conducting research: Depending on your topic, you may need to conduct research to gather information and examples to support your categories . This research can come from a variety of sources, including books, academic articles, and online sources.

– Creating an outline: Once you have gathered your research, create an outline for your essay . This will help you to organize your ideas and ensure that your essay flows logically and cohesively. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

– Developing a thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay . It should be clear, concise, and focused on the categories that you will be exploring in your essay .

– Organizing your ideas: Once you have created your outline and developed your thesis statement , organize your ideas into categories. Think about the different ways that you can group your topic and create categories based on shared characteristics.

Writing Your Classification Essay

Now that you have completed your pre-writing strategies, it’s time to start writing your classification essay. Here is a breakdown of the different sections of your essay:

– Introduction: Your introduction should provide an overview of your topic and a clear thesis statement that outlines the categories you will be exploring in your essay.You should also provide some context for your topic and engage the reader’s interest.

– Body paragraphs: The main part of your essay should be broken up into paragraphs that each talk about a different topic . Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that says what category you will be talking about, and then back up your classification with examples and evidence. Use transitional phrases to link your paragraphs and help your reader see how your categories are related.

– Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement in a memorable way. You can also provide some final thoughts or recommendations based on your classification.

Remember to use clear and concise language throughout your essay, and to provide examples and evidence to support your categories. By following these guidelines, you can create a well-organized and compelling classification essay that effectively categorizes your topic and provides valuable insights for your readers.

Tips for Writing a Successful Classification Essay

To write a successful classification essay, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

– Use appropriate language and tone: Your language and tone should be appropriate for your audience and the purpose of your essay . Use clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers.

– Make use of examples: Examples can help to illustrate your categories and provide evidence to support your claims . Use specific and relevant examples to help the reader understand the characteristics of each category.

– Use transitional words and phrases: Transitional words and phrases can help to connect your categories and create a smooth and cohesive flow in your essay . Examples include “firstly”, “secondly”, “in addition”, and “furthermore”.

– Use evidence to support your claims: It’s important to use evidence to support your claims and to make your argument more convincing. This evidence can come from a variety of sources, including research, personal experience, and expert opinion.

– Revise and edit your essay: Finally, it’s important to take the time to revise and edit your essay . Read through your essay carefully , checking for spelling and grammar errors, and making sure that your ideas are clear and well-organized.

Classification Essay Examples

Examples of classification essays:.

1. “The Three Types of Friends Everyone Needs” by John Smith:

In this essay, the author categorizes friends into three types: the listener, the adventurer, and the loyalist. The author provides specific examples and personal experiences to illustrate each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of friends.

2. “The Four Main Types of Exercise” by Jane Doe:

In this essay, the author categorizes exercise into four types: aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of exercise.

3. “The Five Types of Online Shoppers” by Sarah Johnson:

In this essay, the author categorizes online shoppers into five types: the bargain hunter, the researcher, the impulse buyer, the loyal customer, and the window shopper. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of online shoppers.

Analysis of the examples:

The structure and approach of all three examples of classification essays are the same. The authors give a clear thesis statement , group their ideas into categories, and back up their claims with examples and evidence. They also use transitional words and phrases to link their categories together and give their essays a smooth flow.

One of the things that makes these essays good is that they use examples and proof to back up their categories. By giving real-world examples, the authors are able to show what each category is like and make their case stronger. Another strength is that the language is clear and to the point, which is good for the audience and purpose of the essay.

One thing that could be better about these essays is that each category should be looked at in more depth. Even though the authors give examples to back up their claims, they could have gone into more detail about what each category is and how it fits into the bigger picture.

Classification Essay Topics

Here are some ideas to get you started:

– Types of social media users

– Different types of diets

– Types of students in a classroom

– Types of pet owners

– Different types of music genres

– Types of vacation destinations

– Different types of book genres

– Types of movie genres

– Different types of coffee drinks

– Types of personality traits

Frequently Asked Questions about Classification Essays

1. what is a classification essay.

A classification essay is a type of academic writing that involves organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics.

2. What are the elements of a classification essay?

The elements of a classification essay include a clear thesis statement, organized categories, examples and evidence to support each category, and transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph.

3. How do I choose a topic for a classification essay?

To choose a topic for your classification essay, consider your audience, brainstorm ideas, narrow down your topic, and finalize your topic.

4. How do I structure my classification essay?

Your classification essay should include an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs that explore each category, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis statement.

5. What is a classification essay thesis?

A classification essay thesis is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay. It should be clear,concise, and focused on the categories you will be exploring in your essay.

In this article , we’ve told you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay. First, we talked about what a classification essay is and why you should write one. Then, we talked about the parts of a classification essay, such as the different kinds of classification and how important it is to organize your ideas.

We also gave you advice on how to choose a topic, do research, make an outline, and come up with a thesis statement. We talked about how a classification essay is put together, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Then, to help you get started, we gave you some examples of classification essay topics and answered some of the most common questions about classification essays.

In the end, writing a classification essay can be hard, but it can also be fun. By following the tips in this article, you can write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into categories and gives your readers useful information. Make sure to choose a specific and manageable topic, use the right language and tone, and back up your categories with examples and evidence. If you have these tools, you should be able to write a good classification essay.

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow.

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS.

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You

Have a subject expert write for you now, have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, popular topics.

Business StudyingHq Essay Topics and Ideas How to Guides Samples

Nursing Solutions
Study Guides
Free Study Database for Essays
Privacy Policy
Writing Service
Discounts / Offers

Study Hub:

Studying Blog
Topic Ideas
How to Guides
Business Studying
Nursing Studying
Literature and English Studying

Writing Tools

Citation Generator
Topic Generator
Paraphrasing Tool
Conclusion Maker
Research Title Generator
Thesis Statement Generator
Summarizing Tool
Terms and Conditions
Confidentiality Policy
Cookies Policy
Refund and Revision Policy

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

📧 [email protected]

📞 +15512677917

Classification Essay

Classification Essay - Outline, Topics & Writing Tips

Published on: Jan 2, 2022

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

Classification Essay Definition

A classification essay is a formal piece of writing used to evaluate your categorizing and generalization skills. It mainly aims to arrange various subjects and objects with similar characteristics.

For this, a writer needs to categorize and classify things into different groups and mention examples that fit into each. Similarly, you are also required to follow a single categorizing approach throughout the content. However, it is up to you to decide on criteria for classification to explain the reasoning and logic.

The entire process of classification essay writing is not very different from any other type of essay. Like other academic papers, the principles of essay writing remain the same, but it requires extensive research and analysis.

How to Start a Classification Essay?

Here are some important steps that you should follow to start a classification essay.

Most professors assign you a specific topic to write your classification essay. If you are not assigned, brainstorm different ideas and come up with an engaging topic. Decide on a group of things that can be logically divided into groups. Also, come up with something that has definitive categories for comparison.

After choosing a topic, decide on classification criteria. Think about all the possible categories in which the topic can split up. Some topic ideas have several options; thus, you will have to determine the exact angle to approach the essayâs theme. Furthermore, make sure that none of the categories is overlapping.

A thesis statement is the main argument of the writer on the topic. It is the stance that supports your entire essay, including the main body. Therefore, it is important to draft a strong statement. Also, use examples and evidence to make your essay effective and persuasive.

The next step is to conduct thorough research to gather interesting information for the audience. However, make sure to collect data from credible and authentic sources. It will further strengthen the content of your essay by making it more convincing and logical.

After collecting relevant information, you are now required to structure and organize it properly. Thus, write down the main ideas and present a logical connection between them. Eliminate unnecessary ideas if there are any.

Check out the following template outline that you can use for your division and classification essay.

Introductory paragraph - (A hook statement and thesis)
Body paragraph 1/Category number 1
Body paragraph 2/Category number 2
Body paragraph 3/Category number 3

How to Write a Classification Essay?

After planning out the basic structure, start the writing process. Follow the below-given steps to write a perfect classification essay.

The introduction is the first and the most important section of the classification essay. Here, you have to identify the subject and mention the objects to be categorized.

State an interesting hook statement to make your introduction appealing. Such as strong opening line will grab the readerâs attention towards the essay. After this, provide the purpose of the essay and explain the reason for categorizing the items.

Lastly, write a strong thesis statement to highlight the subject matter in the discussion. Develop this statement early during the writing process as it will help the writer stay in the right direction.

The body section of the classification essay comprises three or more paragraphs depending on the categories. All the paragraph provides relevant information, examples, and evidence to justify the thesis statement. Also, start each paragraph with a topic sentence.

The right approach is to discuss the most important category in the last paragraph. Use classification essay transition words to ensure that the data flows logically from one paragraph to another.

The following are some common transition phrases. Apply them each time you arrange things into groups and provide examples related to each class.

The 1st kind, the 2nd kind, the 3rd kind
The 1st group, the 2nd group, the 3rd group
The 1st category, the 2nd category, the 3rd category

It is the last section of a classification essay where you put together all the categories mentioned in the main body. Here, a writer will summarize all the central arguments and restate the thesis statement.

Also, mention the various types and approaches that you have examined in your classification essay. Recommend the particular one over the others, depending on the subject matter. However, make sure to emphasize why you have come to that conclusion.

The first draft of your classification essay is full of mistakes, but you can fix it up by editing and revising. For this, read your essay twice or thrice and ensure that it includes all the important points highlighted in the outline.

Eliminate all the language, punctuation, and spelling mistakes to give it a professional look. Similarly, get rid of all the unnecessary and overly complex words and phrases before the final submission.

Classification Essay Examples

Have a look at the following classification essay examples to understand writing a good one in no time.

Classification Essay Sample

Classification Essay Example About Students

Classification Essay About Food

Classification Essay Topics

Not all ideas can be good topics. Here we have mentioned some of the best topics for a classification essay, divided into several categories. It will help you choose a unique one for your essay.

Olympic games
Different genres of modern music
Rare species of animals
Types of dogs
Ways to treat obesity
Types of human relationships
Common phobias
Psychological disorders
Movies about memory loss
Meals that may lead to diabetes

Tips for Writing a Classification Essay

Keep in mind the expert tips given below while writing a good classification essay. It will make your essay stand out and draw the readerâs attention.

It is better to avoid choosing complex topics because extremely narrow or broad topics are hard to deal with.
Conduct extensive research to gather factual data for the essay.
Make sure to define and describe all the categories.
Provide authentic evidence and examples for each classified group. Make sure it offers a typical representation of the class.
Use credible sources of information.
Draft a perfect outline to organize the data properly.
Use a comparison and contrast technique to point out various similarities and differences between each category.
Proofread and revise your essay to make it perfect.

These are a few guidelines that will help you write an A-worthy classification essay. Planning out the assignment early and figuring out the categories is the key to success.

However, if you are still unsure about your research or writing skills, get quality help from our classification essay writing service now!

Our classification essay writers will help you submit a comprehensive piece of paper that will get you the grade you deserve.

Similarly, utilize our essay writing service for original and plagiarism-free content within the given deadline.

You can also get quality help from our AI writing tool if you're in need of a rapid solution to your essay worries!

Caleb S. (Literature, Marketing)

Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Legal & Policies

Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
Terms of Use
Refunds & Cancellations
Our Writers
Success Stories
Our Guarantees
Affiliate Program
Referral Program
AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

55 Classification

[Author removed at request of original publisher]

Learning Objectives

Determine the purpose and structure of the classification essay.
Understand how to write a classification essay.

The Purpose of Classification in Writing

The purpose of classification is to break down broad subjects into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. We classify things in our daily lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. Cell phones, for example, have now become part of a broad category. They can be classified as feature phones, media phones, and smartphones.

Smaller categories, and the way in which these categories are created, help us make sense of the world. Keep both of these elements in mind when writing a classification essay.

Choose topics that you know well when writing classification essays. The more you know about a topic, the more you can break it into smaller, more interesting parts. Adding interest and insight will enhance your classification essays.

On a separate sheet of paper, break the following categories into smaller classifications.

The United States
Colleges and universities

The Structure of a Classification Essay

When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York state, it is helpful to break it into these five separate regions: Long Island, New York City, Western New York, Central New York, and Northern New York.

The underlined thesis explains not only the category and subcategory but also the rationale for breaking it into those categories. Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show his or her readers a different way of considering the state.

Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph.

To avoid settling for an overly simplistic classification, make sure you break down any given topic at least three different ways. This will help you think outside the box and perhaps even learn something entirely new about a subject.

Using your classifications from Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” , write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose to organize each main category in the way that you did.

Writing a Classification Essay

topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis.

Building on Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.46 “Exercise 2” , write a five-paragraph classification essay about one of the four original topics. In your thesis, make sure to include the topic, subtopics, and rationale for your breakdown. And make sure that your essay is organized into paragraphs that each describes a subtopic.

Key Takeaways

The purpose of classification is to break a subject into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts.
Smaller subcategories help us make sense of the world, and the way in which these subcategories are created also helps us make sense of the world.
A classification essay is organized by its subcategories.

Classification Copyright © 2020 by [Author removed at request of original publisher] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Paper writing help
Buy an Essay
Pay for essay
Buy Research Paper
Write My Research Paper
Research Paper Help
Custom Research Paper
Custom Dissertation
Dissertation Help
Buy Dissertation
Dissertation Writer
Write my Dissertation
How it works

How to write a classification essay: From beginner to a professional

How to write a classification essay quickly, easily and with no stress

Students are often assigned classification essays to evaluate their ability of data categorization. Even if it seems hard first, in reality, this is rather a simple task if you know what to do. Classification is defined as the way of arranging a number of objects together as long as they share some similar features or source. A classification essay is a paper that deals with arranging several topics in one academic setting sharing common characteristics.

Students prefer to write essays they are accustomed to, like narrative, reflective , or argumentative ones. The classification essay example is not popular but it is not that difficult if to look deeper. The basic goal of this assignment is to help organize thoughts, ideas and other things into categories to pass the right message to those people who would read and analyze it.

What is a classification essay?

Let’s figure out what is a classification essay from an academic viewpoint? This is a classification paper that identifies ideas, objects, characters, and things with shared specific features and divides them into certain groups and categories. Probably, the simplest way to give an explanation is to call it a formal academic paper aimed to demonstrate your categorization skills.

When writing, you will have to arrange given subjects into groups and suggest your own classification essay samples that fall under each one. You choose what criteria to apply for classification and you also have to explain the reasons why you did one way and not another. The basic idea here is to clarify the general principle of categorization, identify a method you will evaluate it and choose the right categories.

Main parts of classification paper

Now when you got the answer to the question “What is a classification essay?”, let`s move to the stage when you create a writing plan and start your paper . In the academic field, this is called a classification essay outline: a mini-plan you will use to base your thoughts upon, its structure or skeleton. Having this plan is critical for any writer, beginner or professional, as it helps you easily plan the paper by paragraphs and move step by step. Basically, a classification essay outline is not different from other paper types: it still has the introduction part, the main body with at least three paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Each section consists of the necessary elements to be included in your paper:

Introduction. This is the very start when a reader should grasp a basic concept of your classification essay idea. The main goal is to attract attention, get the readers interested and eager to be guided through the whole analysis. Comment what you will be categorizing and why, and also give a brief description of groups criteria and close it with a thesis;
The body. There may be three or more pieces based on the number of categories. The best way here will be to devote one paragraph to one category to make it clear and more relevant for the reader. Provide the criteria and begin with analyzing different examples. Check whether you created smooth transitions between categories going to a new paragraph;
Conclusion. In the final part of your classification essay, you bring all the categories together from the main part and give a brief rundown on each of them. You may suggest your readers choose one and provide arguments proving your recommendation. It must be as powerful as the introduction; however, there is no place for fresh ideas, just end here.

Schematically, it will look like this:

Introduction + thesis;
Body paragraph one + one category;
Body paragraph two + one category;
Body paragraph three + one category;
Conclusion;
References.

Most popular classification essay topics

Not all your ideas can be good for an academic paper, especially for a classification paper. However, to make this task easier for you, we narrowed down their list to the following most common classification essay topics students usually choose:

Sports ( kinds of sports in different countries , gyms, sports competitions, sports reality shows, kinds of exercises for different parts of the body, etc);
Movies (TV series, different movie genres, movie makers, actors, movies with a particular actor starring, movies about love, anime movies, best comedy movies, US movies, etc);
Meals (ways of eating, best restaurants, hot meals, meal delivery, meals that lead to diabetes, healthy meals, etc);
Music (famous composers, types of instruments, music genres, famous US singers, religious music, female rock singers, groups, etc);
Animals (wild animals, pets, rare species, river species, ancient animals, types of cats, animals that live only in Australia, etc).

Just pick one sample classification essay topics or choose yours.

How to write a classification essay?

Besides the 5-paragraph structure, your essay should include:

Definition of the categories/classes

It is important to have all classes and not to leave any out of your classification essay. As an example, if you talk about traditional English sports and mention polo, golf and tennis but forget about cricket, the paper will be incomplete as cricket is especially important for the English culture. However, try to avoid classification essay topics with many categories as your paper will be way too long.

One approach for all categories

Check whether all categories fall into the same principle of structuring. For instance, if the topic is food, there is no need to create a category for drinks.

Everything needs an example

Share the same number of patterns for all categories. The more examples you provide, the better your readers will understand your point.

Learning more on how to write a classification essay, you understand that this not a type of paper when you can just begin with no plan in mind. Once you defined one of classification essay topics, consider the following:

Choose the categories. Imagine that you have picked female rock singers. How will you categorize them? Probably by age, appearance, location, popularity, etc;
Get categories in order. What sequence will you be following when placing the categories? Think about connecting words and sentences you will use to smoothly transit from one category to another. The best way will be to go from the most significant material to least;
Create a thesis. As a part of your introduction, it will shape all your approach of categorization, so developing a good one will keep your writing on track. In your thesis, you can explain the criteria of classification or the purpose and you can always refine it as the writing goes.

General tips on easy writing

Building up your classification essay, there are some simple things to remember:

Do as much research as possible on all categories;
Don`t jump between the ideas. Go straight from one thought to another one not to create a chaotic impression;
Clearly separate the ending of one paragraph and the beginning of another one;
Do not use such expressions as “I guess” or “I assume”. they only make readers doubt your opinion;
Do not exceed the limited number of words;
Don`t forget about grammar and punctuation typos;
More, more examples!
Use the compare and contrast method;
Read a classification essay example to have an overall idea;
Leave the most important category for the end.

The process of writing a classification essay may be really messy as there are many ideas to put together. Following this guide is likely to make this task easier and bring you a good grade. If you're looking for someone who can do my essay, you can contact us and we'll help you write the paper you need.

Questions? Call us:

Email:

How it works
Testimonials

Essay Writing

Essay service
Essay writers
College essay service
Write my essay
Pay for essay
Essay topics

Term Paper Writing

Term paper service
Buy term papers
Term paper help
Term paper writers
College term papers
Write my term paper
Pay for term paper
Term paper topic

Research Paper Writing

Research paper service
Buy research paper
Research paper help
Research paper writers
College research papers
Write my research paper
Pay for research paper
Research paper topics

Dissertation Writing

Dissertation service
Buy dissertation
Dissertation help
Dissertation writers
College thesis
Write my dissertation
Pay for dissertation
Dissertation topics

Other Services

Custom writing services
Speech writing service
Movie review writing
Editing service
Assignment writing
Article writing service
Book report writing
Book review writing

Popular request:

182 Best Classification Essay Topics To Learn And Write About

September 17, 2022

Do you struggle to find classification essay topics? If so, this article is ideal for you. It lists 180-plus topic ideas to consider for your paper. Also, it defines a classification essay and how to write it. This article is helpful because many students struggle to find or create titles for their classification essays.

Many educators give learners the classification essay assignment to gauge their ability to classify or categorize data. Therefore, this form of academic writing entails developing an essay by organizing or arranging events, objects, notions, or individuals into specific classes, types, or groups, based on their shared characteristics. A teacher or professor can ask learners to write this essay to assess their reasoning.

What Is A Classification Essay?

A classification essay, also called a division essay, is a write-up that shows the student’s skills in organizing or sorting things into categories or groups. The learner must select the criteria for presenting items when writing this essay. After that, they can provide examples for each class or group.

Some of the things to classify can include mobile platforms. In that case, learners can separate them into Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Thus, the learner can select the specific traits to group or divide the objects into various categories.

How To Write A Good Classification Essay

When writing a classification essay, students can group items based on their differences or similarities. Here’s the basic process of writing this essay:

Choose a topic: While learners can pick titles from division and classification essay topics, not all are ideal for every student. Therefore, the first step is to select a title you know or have experience with to make the research and writing process easier and more enjoyable. Research: Once you’ve chosen the topic, investigate it extensively to understand the characteristics of the items or objects you intend to categorize in the essay. Define categories: Think about your essay structure before working on it. That way, you can break up the classes into different parts. Additionally, decide on your essay’s angle. Create a thesis statement: Write a persuasive thesis statement and support your claim with solid evidence. A classification essay requires a convincing primary argument. Outline the essay: Outlining will keep your writing organized while ensuring it covers every point. Also, it enables you to decide the content for every paragraph or section. Your outline can include the introduction, main body, and conclusion. Draft: Follow the outline to write the first draft. Categorize the items into different classes based on their unique traits. Write the final draft: Write the final copy of the essay based on your first copy. Ensure that the division between the items or objects comes out clearly. Edit: Proofread and edit the essay before submitting

Writing a classification essay becomes easy when you select the right topic. This article lists a wide array of division classification essay topics to help you find one you’re comfortable with before starting the writing process.

Classification Essay Topics For College Students

Are you a college student looking for good classification essay topics? If so, this section has exciting ideas you might want to explore in your papers:

Different types of tourists
Different friends types
Classification of social network users
Modern world and sports fans categories
Categories of college roommates
Categories of church-goers
States with different population quantity and density
The US youth groups today
The modern world and social groups
Categories of social values
Different nationalities and their traits
Different levels of degrees in colleges
Various categories of artists
Different types of books
Categories of studying techniques
Various types of teachers
Types of exercises for bodybuilders
Different categories of relationships
Different friendship types
Friendships and their characteristics

College students can explore these ideas in their essays. Nevertheless, learners should pick ideas they are comfortable exploring in their research and writing.

Classification Essay Topics On History

Are you pursuing a history course and need classification topics for your papers? If so, this list has exciting ideas to explore in your work:

Leonardo Da Vinci and his significant accomplishments
Historical events and their impacts on people’s lives
How different rulers changed the course of history
The role of religion in shaping history
The most important inventions in history
The turning points in history that led to significant changes
How wars have shaped the course of history
The role of geography in the development of historical events
Influence of different cultures on each other throughout history
The economic factors that have led to historic changes
The part of art and literature in history.
How political leaders can maintain security and peace
Slavery in different historical periods in America
Reasons for the strong influence of the Mayan civilization
Britain’s history and its most celebrated episodes
Various revolutions in the 19th century in America
Seven Wonders of the World and their information sources
Different printing techniques in history
Customs that led to modern holidays
Characteristics of the first civilizations
Military commanders and their successes
Nicknames for the American presidents
Che Guevara and his achievements
Milestones Adolf Hitler made during his rise and fall
The most influential and popular US presidents

Writing a quality essay about these titles requires in-depth research and organization of thoughts. Therefore, pick a title you’re comfortable with to draft a winning paper.

Classification Essay Topics In Economics

Are you pursuing an economics course in college? If so, this list has classification ideas worth exploring in your papers:

How the economy affects businesses
The demand and supply concepts
How the balance of trade impacts the economy
Unemployment and its different types
How experts measure economic growth
Various problems arise from a recession
How inflation affects the economy
Governments and their role in the economy
How taxation affects the economy
Multiple categories of economic systems
Factors affecting the prosperity of the global economy
The dominance of developed countries over developed ones
Impacts of debt taking on developing countries
How various market institutions affect developing nations
Different effects of politics on economic growth
Popular products that enhance economic prosperity
Different approaches to economic growth
Factors causing price volatility
International and regional financial organizations and their impacts on member states
Is global agriculture declining or expanding?
Categories of goods in modern economics
Regions or countries that control the international economy
Industries driving the global economy
Exploring different types of business cartels
How food safety regulations have assisted certain countries

Economics is a broad and diverse subject covering different topics. Nevertheless, any of these topics can be an excellent starting point for your essay.

Funny Classification Essay Topics

Maybe you want to have fun while researching and writing your paper. If so, consider choosing one of these topics:

Different categories of people you can meet at a party
Types of people you can meet online
Ways to do away with a boring person
Jobs you should avoid forever
Types of people teenagers don’t want as friends
Ways of classifying your Facebook friends
How a person becomes cynical
Categories of fitness freaks
Ways to make an ex fall in love with you
Ways to avoid forgetting your friends
How to avoid a person you don’t like
Ways to annoy a person without consequences
Types of laughter and their causes
Different ways someone can disgust you
Various ways to a girl’s heart
Ways to get into a man’s bed
Santa Claus and major myths about him
Multiple fashion styles and what makes them stand out
The best books to read and enjoy
Movies that will make you laugh and watch them again

Classification essays shouldn’t always be serious. Picking these ideas will lead to fun-filled research and writing experience. Nevertheless, follow your educator’s instructions to prompt them to award you the top grade in your class.

Classification And Division Essay Topics

As the name suggests, these titles require the writer to classify and divide items, concepts, or ideas. Here are topics to consider in this category:

Bowling as an Olympic sport
Types of scripted reality shows
Movies with CGI graphics
Earbuds categorization as headphones
Caffeinated drinks and their classification as energy drinks
Teens trick-or-treating rules
Chips as snacks, yet they are not chips
Social media posts and their categories
Different meme types
Categories of healthy breakfasts
Types of parenting styles
Different categories of gamers
Categorizing teaching styles
Effective calming techniques
Occupational fields that aren’t remote
Spending habits among teenagers
Various inventions and their categories
Multiple places that humans have not explored
Categories of holistic medicine
Party factions in the Democratic party

These are good division and classification essay topic examples. Nevertheless, pick the one you’re comfortable working on to enjoy your project.

Definition Classification Essay Topics

Topics in this category define and classify different items, concepts, or ideas. Here are ideas to explore in this section:

Various types of love
Different forms of beauty
Categories of success and their differences
Various types of failure
Different categories of fear
Different forms of happiness
Exploring different types of family
Various types of political parties
Different forms of governance
The concepts of political power
Different approaches to decision-making in politics
Different ideologies in politics
Types of economic systems
Different types of agriculture
Various types of intelligence

When writing an essay in any of these titles, students should define and classify the items or concepts they want to investigate. That way, they can show the educator that they understand them.

Easy Classification Essay Topics

Maybe you don’t want to struggle with researching and writing your essay. In that case, these topics for the classification essay are ideal for you:

Different strategies for adding weight
Five American comedians and reasons for their popularity
Main causes of obesity
Unique methods for shedding weight
Various ways to save money
Types of online sellers
Different types of leadership
Types of a balanced diet
Ways to make friends
Multiple forms of workplace bullying
Different categories of poems
Types of mental health treatments
Types of role models
Categories of individual personalities
Categorization of goals in life
Different types of weather
Various types of animals
Different categories of plants
Various types of rocks
Different mineral types
Various types of soil
Categories of ecosystems
Different types of climates
Various types of biomes
Different categories of habitats

These classification essay ideas are easy to research since you can quickly find a lot of information about them. Nevertheless, ensure that your chosen topic meets your educator’s requirements. If you find it difficult to choose a topic for the essay or figure out how to write a dissertation, you can always use custom dissertation writing , where you can get help in completing the assignment to a high score.

Extra Classification Essay Topics List

Maybe you didn’t find an exciting topic for a classification essay in the above categories. In that case, consider any of these ideas for your paper:

Types of music genres
Different types of clothing
Various categories of sports fans
Types of pets
Categories of holidays
Types of college majors
Different kinds of jobs
Various categories of cars
Types of home decorations
Kinds of HGTV shows
Different types of Facebook users
Texting habits of teenagers
Types of sports teams
Types of video games
Best summer holiday destinations
Prerequisites for getting the best friends
Types of decorations for the Christmas tree
Digital profession categories
Kinds of shopping behaviours
Homeless person categories
Different varieties of dancing styles
Types of lecturing strategies
Categories of extracurricular activities
Bad behaviours among artist
Different kinds of political cultures
Categories of immigrants
Sorts of comedy shows
Types of conflicts at workplaces
Various types of voting systems
Categories of climatic zones
Varieties of social media content
Different types of responsibilities

Classification essays are not challenging to write, but they require some thought and organization to succeed. The most important thing to remember is to focus on a single characteristic to help you group your subjects into manageable categories. Once you have chosen your topic and determined your purpose, the rest of the essay should fall into place more easily.

However, selecting the right topic is the first and foremost step in writing this essay. That’s because while there are many types of classification essay topics, not all suit every student. Therefore, learners should take sufficient time to investigate their titles to write winning papers.

Get Custom Essay Writing Help

Maybe you’ve chosen a topic for your essay but don’t have the time, skills, or resources to write it. Perhaps, you’re not confident in your ability to write a winning paper. In that case, our professional writing service can research the topic, analyze data, and write a high-quality, custom paper.

You’ll get personalized help from a subject-relevant expert writer. They will follow your instructions, conduct research, and write a plagiarism-free paper that meets all your assignment’s requirements.

Using our essay writing service allows you more free time for things that matter most to you. For instance, you can spend time with friends and family or pursue hobbies. Our writing help will enable you to succeed in college, high school, or university studies and free up your valuable time.

Moreover, we write unique essays for all educational levels regardless of the topic, style, or deadline. Our prices for all essay types are affordable, and we offer occasional discounts for first-time customers and returning clients. So, stop struggling to write your essay and instead, use our cheap online service to score top grades without breaking a sweat. We guarantee quality essay help, reasonable prices, and superior academic scores.

Take a break from writing.

Top academic experts are here for you.

How To Write An Autobiography Guideline And Useful Advice
How To Manage Stress In College: Top Practical Tips
How To Write A Narrative Essay: Definition, Tips, And A Step-by-Step Guide
How To Write Article Review Like Professional
Great Problem Solution Essay Topics
Creating Best Stanford Roommate Essay
Costco Essay – Best Writing Guide
How To Quote A Dialogue
Wonderful Expository Essay Topics
Research Paper Topics For 2020
Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics

Classification Essay Guide

Classification Essay Outline

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Classification Essay Outline - A Complete Guide

By: Cordon J.

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Mar 22, 2022

A type of essay in which the writer classifies or categorizes subjects, objects, characters, events, or ideas, is called a classification essay . Most high school and college students are assigned to do this type of essay.

Through this kind of essay, a teacher is able to analyze the student’s critical thinking ability and evaluation skills.

Have you been assigned to write a classification essay? Begin by writing a classification essay outline.

This guide will thoroughly explain to you the process of writing a classification essay outline. Along with the steps, there are multiple tips and examples for you to get a better idea of a classification essay outline and its structure.

So, without any further ado, let’s begin!

On this Page

How to Write a Classification Essay Outline?

An essay outline is written to enlist all the ideas and points that are further going to be elaborated in the essay. An essay outline provides a proper structure to the essay and determines the flow of content.

A classification essay outline will help you classify and organize the subjects being discussed. This is done in such a way that it is easy for the reader to understand and comprehend.

Not just the classification essay, but every type of essay requires you to draft an outline first. This is considered to be the prewriting phase of essay writing.

“How do you write an outline for a classification essay?”

To create a logical flow of information in the essay, a general format of a classification essay outline has the following sections:

Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3

The number of paragraphs in your essay may vary according to your topic or the essay requirements. However, the general three sections of an outline are Introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion.

How to Write a Classification Essay Introduction?

The first section of a classification essay is its introduction. The introduction paragraph introduces the topic and the terms being discussed in the essay.

To ensure that a reader reads your essay thoroughly with interest, hook them to your essay right from the beginning. So, it is recommended to begin your introduction paragraph with a hook sentence on an attention grabber.

Once you have successfully hooked the reader to your essay, you can introduce the topic to your reader and provide relevant background. Lastly, you need to put forward our thesis statement towards the end of your introduction paragraph.

An effective introductory paragraph for a classification essay will have the following elements:

Hook:

A hook is an interesting attention grabber that compels your reader to read the essay further on. There are multiple types of hooks that can be used. You can view hook examples to select an appropriate hook for your essay.

You can select an appropriate hook according to the nature of your essay and the topic. If it is a serious topic you can begin with a fact or a quotation. However, if it is a funnier topic you can go for a light-hearted anecdote.

Topic Introduction:

Introduce the topic of your essay. If there are any technical terms try to explain them here. Otherwise, give a general overview of the topic briefly.

Background or Purpose:

Tell the background of your topic or the purpose of writing an essay on this specific topic. This will help in developing the context of your essay.

Thesis Statement:

A thesis statement is a two-three sentence statement. It tells your viewpoint or main claim of the essay to the reader. It should be concise and clear.

To properly end the introduction paragraph you can add a transition sentence at the end. This sentence will create the flow of your writing and connect the introduction paragraph to the upcoming body paragraphs.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

How to Write a Classification Essay Body Paragraphs?

The next section of your classification essay is the body. All the details that are to be written in an essay are mentioned paragraph-wise in the body section.

Usually, there are three body paragraphs. However, the number can increase according to the number of categories that you make.

Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that highlights the separate category being discussed in the paragraph. After the topic sentence, mention the supporting details and then end the paragraph with a concluding sentence.

The body paragraphs of a classification essay can be written in the following manner:

Category: Here you will mention the categories into which you have classified the subject or the topic. You also need to tell the criteria for classifying the subject accordingly.
Explanation: Explain the merits and demerits of the category or classification. Also, explain the classification more for clarification.
Example: Provide the relevant examples to authenticate your classification. Examples mostly act as evidence of your claim. So, make sure to write examples that are relevant and support your point of view.

How to Write a Classification Essay Conclusion?

Lastly, you will end your essay with a conclusion paragraph. The conclusion section is drafted to summarize the whole essay and to conclude the discussion.

Keep in mind that no new information or argument is ever added in the conclusion paragraph. Instead, the conclusion paragraph only summarizes the essay.

A wise strategy is to summarize each of the outline points in a single sentence within the conclusion paragraph.

The concluding parargaph of a classification essay should include the following information:

Summary of the Arguments/Points: All the categories or the classification discussed previously are summarized logically in the conclusion paragraph. Also, don’t forget to reiterate the thesis statement here.
Mention the Future Recommendations: At the end of the essay and the conclusion, mention the recommendations or future interventions. This means you can also provide a call to action.

Make sure to effectively conclude the essay else your whole essay can fall flat. Your conclusion should be such that it leaves the reader thinking about your essay

Significance of Writing a Classification Essay Outline

Most students usually jump directly to essay writing and start with an essay without creating an outline first. This is not a wise strategy and can cause writing troubles for you. Here is why writing a classification essay outline can help you:

Provides a Clear Focus: An outline helps the writer to remain focused on their topic and main points. Without an outline, you can get sidetracked and write extra on unnecessary information.
Ensure a Logical Flow: An outline helps you organize your points well. Thus, it ensures a logical flow and a smooth transition from one point to another.
Prevents Structural Issues: Through an outline, you clearly divide the information into the introduction, body, and conclusion sections of your essay. So, there are less chances of making any structural mistakes.
Makes the Essay Concise and Precise: Unnecessarily elongated pieces of writings are not at all impressive. It is always recommended that an essay should be concise and precise, rather than unnecessarily extensive. An outline helps you achieve this preciseness as it prevents you from deviating to irrelevant points.
Helps to Organize Information: While brainstorming ideas for an essay you think about multiple points to be written in your essay. However, not every point is relevant or important enough to be mentioned. So, with the help of an outline, you filter out the relevant points and organize them correctly for the essay.

These points tell you how significant it is to write an essay outline. They show you how an outline can help you improve your academic papers and writing skills.

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Classification Essay Outline Examples

Division and Classification Essay Outline

Classification Essay Outline Template

This guide would have surely helped you and guide you well on how to write a classification essay outline. Follow the above-mentioned guidelines. You will be able to create a good classification essay outline for your own classification essay topic as well.

However, if you still think you won’t be able to manage it by yourself, then don’t hesitate to take help from an essay writing service.

5StarEssays.com offers customized “ write my essay ” help for any type of assignment. We write thesis, dissertations, essays, and other custom papers for students. Rest assured that all these papers are written by subject matter experts, so they are sure to impress your teachers.

Speech, Law

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

Was This Blog Helpful?

Keep reading.

Writing a Classification Essay: Guide with Examples

Classification Essay Topics List to Help You Get Started

Your Doctor’s Words Could Make You Sick

Blease, Ph.D., . Bernstein, Ph.D., Locher, Ph.D., and Brown, M.D. are authors of the book The Nocebo Effect: When Words Make You Sick

“You may feel a sharp pinch, but it will all be over quickly.”

Before the COVID-19 jab was plunged into our arms, most of us probably heard words similar to these. After the anticipated pinch, the nurse or doctor likely told us something about possible vaccine side effects. For one of us, the nurse’s forewarning was rather specific: “Around 12 hours from now you may experience a pain in your arm or feel flu symptoms. But don’t worry,” the nurse aimed to reassure. “This can be easily managed by Tylenol.”

Sure enough, like clockwork, 12 hours later, the symptoms manifested.

An estimated 30% of people who received the COVID-19 vaccine also reported nasty side effects. Making matters worse, like a nightmarish self-fulfilling prophecy, the very words used by clinicians might well have caused some of this harm. Of course, doctors and nurses do not deliberately set out to hurt patients—far from it. They want to ensure that patients are fully informed. However, as our research shows, their words might unintentionally ramp up the effects of a psychological phenomenon that operates under the radar. This phenomenon is called the “nocebo effect.”

Characterized as the “evil-twin” of the placebo effect, nocebo effects are harms that arise from negative expectations. While placebo effects are those beneficial outcomes that arise when we expect to feel better and, as a result, do , nocebo effects are what happen when we expect to feel worse.

Read More: The Placebo Effect Is Real, and Scientists May Be Able To Predict Who Responds

Today, we expect our doctors to give information to us straight. Gone are the days when doctors could wilfully withhold information from patients, even if they believed doing so would make patients feel better. Yet, the best-known phrase from medicine’s oldest creed, the Hippocratic Oath, is “First, do no harm.” Nocebo effects are one of medicine’s natural disruptors: they present a challenging scenario because, sometimes, information may be bad for our health. Balancing honesty against the risks of harm is no easy feat and is one area where medical ethicists, health researchers, patients, and clinicians need to put their heads together.

COVID-19 offered an unprecedented global experiment into the size and significance of this effect. In 2022, placebo researcher Julia Haas led a review of COVID vaccine clinical trial data and concluded that the nocebo phenomenon could account for as much as three quarters of the side effects associated with the jabs. The evidence for this startling finding comes by comparing side effects between patients allocated to the placebo shot versus those allocated to the real shot in the vaccine trials. Those receiving only a saline injection with no effect on the body still reported many unwanted side effects. It is possible that some of these effects might have been due to “symptom misattribution.” At any given time, some of us may experience low grade aches and pains, such as headaches, or fatigue, and knowledge that the vaccine causes these effects might draw our attention to symptoms we’re already experiencing. Alternatively, some negative symptoms might have been caused, or worsened, by nocebo effects.

Beyond COVID-19, a growing body of research shows that nocebo effects may be commonplace in medicine and that the verbal suggestions uttered by clinicians really do matter. In one experimental study in 2004, radiology professor Dr. Elvira Lang and her colleagues found that warning or even sympathizing with patients about painful or undesirable experiences following an intervention increased pain and anxiety. In another 2003 study of beta-blockers for cardiac disease and hypertension, telling patients that treatment side effects might include erectile dysfunction (ED) led to a doubling of patients reporting this problem compared with those not given information about ED risk.

In 2010, Dr. Dirk Varelmann, a specialist in anesthesia and pain management at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, wanted to explore whether the way in which a local anesthetic injection was described to patients would influence pain. Varelmann led a study where one group was told, “You will feel a big bee sting; this is the worst part;” the other group was informed, “We are going to give you a local anesthetic that will numb the area, and you will be comfortable during the procedure.” Those who were told they would feel a sting—that is, the patients receiving a negative suggestion— reported significantly more pain after the injection even though both groups got the same anesthetic. Varelmann’s conclusion was that, “using gentler, more reassuring words” could improve patients’ experience during invasive medical procedures.

Studies like this expose the ethical dilemma that nocebo effects invite. Since April 2021 , patients in the U.S. have had the right to read their online medical records. Access rights include test results, medication lists, and the very words written by clinicians. Patients appreciate this. Surveys in the U.S. and other countries where access has been rolled out reveal patients who read their electronic medical records feel more in control of their care, and report better understanding and recall about their treatment plans. People who poke their noses into their records also report better understanding of the side effects of the medications they are prescribed.

However, there is a catch. In a study one of us conducted in 2021, some enlightened patients said they worried more about their medications after reading their clinical records. And while the connection has only been hypothesized , we shouldn’t be surprised if the language doctors use in our records gives nocebo effects unfettered free reign. In fact, as many as half of all patients in the U.S. who are prescribed medications for chronic conditions fail to take their meds leading to an estimated 100,000 preventable deaths and $100 billion in costs every year. Side effects are one of the main reasons patients discontinue treatments. If we can solve the nocebo problem, we might do a better job of keeping more people on their medications and staying healthy.

Nocebo effects are relevant even beyond the doctor’s office. They invite challenging questions about how governments should frame public health information, and how advertisers ought to sell their drugs on TV. The free press is a pillar of democratic societies, but even here the nocebo phenomenon raises interesting novel concerns. If journalists reporting on health veer into sensationalism and scaremongering, and this literally causes readers harm, was their choice of words unethical?

This brings us back to coronavirus. An estimated 70% of the world’s population received at least one COVID-19 jab. But many skipped their second shot, some because of fears about the vaccine’s side effects . Perhaps not even the most ardent conspiracy theorist could have imagined that a humble mind-body effect might have played a role in the pandemic’s gloomy story. But they should think again.

Knowledge is power, but it’s as equally important to remember that words matter. Let us not delay the “nocebo” conversation any longer.

More Must-Reads From TIME

Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
Passengers Are Flying up to 30 Hours to See Four Minutes of the Eclipse
Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
Essay: The Complicated Dread of Early Spring
Why Walking Isn’t Enough When It Comes to Exercise
The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
The Best TV Shows to Watch on Peacock
Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

school Campus Bookshelves
menu_book Bookshelves
perm_media Learning Objects
login Login
how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
hub Instructor Commons
Download Page (PDF)
Download Full Book (PDF)
Periodic Table
Physics Constants
Scientific Calculator
Reference & Cite
Tools expand_more
Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

4.5: Classification

Last updated
Save as PDF
Page ID 107759

The Purpose of Classification in Writing

The purpose of classification is to break down broad subjects into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. We classify things in our daily lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. It is important, however, to be sure to use a single basis for the division of categories; otherwise, you may end up with items that fall into multiple categories. For example, cars can be classified by type (convertible, sedan, station-wagon, or SUV) or by the fuel they use (diesel, petrol, electric, or hybrid). Smaller categories, and the way in which these categories are created, help us make sense of the world. Keep both of these elements in mind when writing a classification essay. It’s best to choose topics that you know well when writing classification essays. The more you know about a topic, the more you can break it into smaller, more interesting parts. Adding interest and insight will enhance your classification essays.

On a separate sheet of paper, break the following categories into smaller classifications.

The United States
Colleges and universities

The Structure of a Classification Essay

The classification essay opens with a paragraph that introduces the broader topic. The thesis should then explain how that topic is divided into subgroups and why. Take the following introductory paragraph, for example:

Example $\PageIndex{1}$:

When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York State, it is helpful to break it into these five separate regions: Long Island, New York City, Western New York, Central New York, and Northern New York.

The underlined thesis explains not only the category and subcategory, but also the rationale for breaking the topic into those categories. Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show the readers a different way of considering the state of New York.

Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph. To avoid settling for an overly simplistic classification, make sure you break down any given topic at least three different ways. This will help you think outside the box and perhaps even learn something entirely new about a subject.

The conclusion should bring all of the categories and subcategories back together again to show the reader the big picture. In the previous example, the conclusion might explain how the various sights and activities of each region of New York add to its diversity and complexity.

Using your classifications from Exercise 1, write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose to organize each main category in the way that you did.

Consider things that are a part of your daily life. Create a list that classifies these items both as overall categories and then within sub-topics.

Contributors and Attributions

Adapted from Successful College Composition (Crowther et al.) . Sourced from LibreTexts , licensed under CC BY-NC-SA .

Adapted from Let's Get Writing (Browning, DeVries, Boylan, Kurtz and Burton) . Sourced from LibreTexts , licensed under CC BY-NC-SA .

Rescue workers gather near a damaged building, standing amid rubble in the street.

Why Taiwan Was So Prepared for a Powerful Earthquake

Decades of learning from disasters, tightening building codes and increasing public awareness may have helped its people better weather strong quakes.

Search-and-rescue teams recover a body from a leaning building in Hualien, Taiwan. Thanks to improvements in building codes after past earthquakes, many structures withstood Wednesday’s quake. Credit...

Supported by

Share full article

By Chris Buckley , Meaghan Tobin and Siyi Zhao

Photographs by Lam Yik Fei

Chris Buckley reported from the city of Hualien, Meaghan Tobin from Taipei, in Taiwan.

April 4, 2024

When the largest earthquake in Taiwan in half a century struck off its east coast, the buildings in the closest city, Hualien, swayed and rocked. As more than 300 aftershocks rocked the island over the next 24 hours to Thursday morning, the buildings shook again and again.

But for the most part, they stood.

Even the two buildings that suffered the most damage remained largely intact, allowing residents to climb to safety out the windows of upper stories. One of them, the rounded, red brick Uranus Building, which leaned precariously after its first floors collapsed, was mostly drawing curious onlookers.

The building is a reminder of how much Taiwan has prepared for disasters like the magnitude-7.4 earthquake that jolted the island on Wednesday. Perhaps because of improvements in building codes, greater public awareness and highly trained search-and-rescue operations — and, likely, a dose of good luck — the casualty figures were relatively low. By Thursday, 10 people had died and more than 1,000 others were injured. Several dozen were missing.

“Similar level earthquakes in other societies have killed far more people,” said Daniel Aldrich , a director of the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University. Of Taiwan, he added: “And most of these deaths, it seems, have come from rock slides and boulders, rather than building collapses.”

Across the island, rail traffic had resumed by Thursday, including trains to Hualien. Workers who had been stuck in a rock quarry were lifted out by helicopter. Roads were slowly being repaired. Hundreds of people were stranded at a hotel near a national park because of a blocked road, but they were visited by rescuers and medics.

A handful of men and women walks on a street between vehicles, some expressing shock at what they are seeing.

On Thursday in Hualien city, the area around the Uranus Building was sealed off, while construction workers tried to prevent the leaning structure from toppling completely. First they placed three-legged concrete blocks that resembled giant Lego pieces in front of the building, and then they piled dirt and rocks on top of those blocks with excavators.

“We came to see for ourselves how serious it was, why it has tilted,” said Chang Mei-chu, 66, a retiree who rode a scooter with her husband Lai Yung-chi, 72, to the building on Thursday. Mr. Lai said he was a retired builder who used to install power and water pipes in buildings, and so he knew about building standards. The couple’s apartment, near Hualien’s train station, had not been badly damaged, he said.

“I wasn’t worried about our building, because I know they paid attention to earthquake resistance when building it. I watched them pour the cement to make sure,” Mr. Lai said. “There have been improvements. After each earthquake, they raise the standards some more.”

It was possible to walk for city blocks without seeing clear signs of the powerful earthquake. Many buildings remained intact, some of them old and weather-worn; others modern, multistory concrete-and-glass structures. Shops were open, selling coffee, ice cream and betel nuts. Next to the Uranus Building, a popular night market with food stalls offering fried seafood, dumplings and sweets was up and running by Thursday evening.

Earthquakes are unavoidable in Taiwan, which sits on multiple active faults. Decades of work learning from other disasters, implementing strict building codes and increasing public awareness have gone into helping its people weather frequent strong quakes.

Not far from the Uranus Building, for example, officials had inspected a building with cracked pillars and concluded that it was dangerous to stay in. Residents were given 15 minutes to dash inside and retrieve as many belongings as they could. Some ran out with computers, while others threw bags of clothes out of windows onto the street, which was also still littered with broken glass and cement fragments from the quake.

One of its residents, Chen Ching-ming, a preacher at a church next door, said he thought the building might be torn down. He was able to salvage a TV and some bedding, which now sat on the sidewalk, and was preparing to go back in for more. “I’ll lose a lot of valuable things — a fridge, a microwave, a washing machine,” he said. “All gone.”

Requirements for earthquake resistance have been built into Taiwan’s building codes since 1974. In the decades since, the writers of Taiwan’s building code also applied lessons learned from other major earthquakes around the world, including in Mexico and Los Angeles, to strengthen Taiwan’s code.

After more than 2,400 people were killed and at least 10,000 others injured during the Chi-Chi quake of 1999, thousands of buildings built before the quake were reviewed and reinforced. After another strong quake in 2018 in Hualien, the government ordered a new round of building inspections. Since then, multiple updates to the building code have been released.

“We have retrofitted more than 10,000 school buildings in the last 20 years,” said Chung-Che Chou, the director general of the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taipei.

The government had also helped reinforce private apartment buildings over the past six years by adding new steel braces and increasing column and beam sizes, Dr. Chou said. Not far from the buildings that partially collapsed in Hualien, some of the older buildings that had been retrofitted in this way survived Wednesday’s quake, he said.

The result of all this is that even Taiwan’s tallest skyscrapers can withstand regular seismic jolts. The capital city’s most iconic building, Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world, was engineered to stand through typhoon winds and frequent quakes. Still, some experts say that more needs to be done to either strengthen or demolish structures that don’t meet standards, and such calls have grown louder in the wake of the latest earthquake.

Taiwan has another major reason to protect its infrastructure: It is home to the majority of production for the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest maker of advanced computer chips. The supply chain for electronics from smartphones to cars to fighter jets rests on the output of TSMC’s factories, which make these chips in facilities that cost billions of dollars to build.

The 1999 quake also prompted TSMC to take extra steps to insulate its factories from earthquake damage. The company made major structural adjustments and adopted new technologies like early warning systems. When another large quake struck the southern city of Kaohsiung in February 2016, TSMC’s two nearby factories survived without structural damage.

Taiwan has made strides in its response to disasters, experts say. In the first 24 hours after the quake, rescuers freed hundreds of people who were trapped in cars in between rockfalls on the highway and stranded on mountain ledges in rock quarries.

“After years of hard work on capacity building, the overall performance of the island has improved significantly,” said Bruce Wong, an emergency management consultant in Hong Kong. Taiwan’s rescue teams have come to specialize in complex efforts, he said, and it has also been able to tap the skills of trained volunteers.

Taiwan’s resilience also stems from a strong civil society that is involved in public preparedness for disasters.

Ou Chi-hu, a member of a group of Taiwanese military veterans, was helping distribute water and other supplies at a school that was serving as a shelter for displaced residents in Hualien. He said that people had learned from the 1999 earthquake how to be more prepared.

“They know to shelter in a corner of the room or somewhere else safer,” he said. Many residents also keep a bag of essentials next to their beds, and own fire extinguishers, he added.

Around him, a dozen or so other charities and groups were offering residents food, money, counseling and childcare. The Tzu Chi Foundation, a large Taiwanese Buddhist charity, provided tents for families to use inside the school hall so they could have more privacy. Huang Yu-chi, a disaster relief manager with the foundation, said nonprofits had learned from earlier disasters.

“Now we’re more systematic and have a better idea of disaster prevention,” Mr. Huang said.

Mike Ives contributed reporting from Seoul.

Chris Buckley , the chief China correspondent for The Times, reports on China and Taiwan from Taipei, focused on politics, social change and security and military issues. More about Chris Buckley

Meaghan Tobin is a technology correspondent for The Times based in Taipei, covering business and tech stories in Asia with a focus on China. More about Meaghan Tobin

Siyi Zhao is a reporter and researcher who covers news in mainland China for The Times in Seoul. More about Siyi Zhao

Newsletters
Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

That Viral Essay Wasn’t About Age Gaps. It Was About Marrying Rich.

But both tactics are flawed if you want to have any hope of becoming yourself..

Women are wisest, a viral essay in New York magazine’s the Cut argues , to maximize their most valuable cultural assets— youth and beauty—and marry older men when they’re still very young. Doing so, 27-year-old writer Grazie Sophia Christie writes, opens up a life of ease, and gets women off of a male-defined timeline that has our professional and reproductive lives crashing irreconcilably into each other. Sure, she says, there are concessions, like one’s freedom and entire independent identity. But those are small gives in comparison to a life in which a person has no adult responsibilities, including the responsibility to become oneself.

This is all framed as rational, perhaps even feminist advice, a way for women to quit playing by men’s rules and to reject exploitative capitalist demands—a choice the writer argues is the most obviously intelligent one. That other Harvard undergraduates did not busy themselves trying to attract wealthy or soon-to-be-wealthy men seems to flummox her (taking her “high breasts, most of my eggs, plausible deniability when it came to purity, a flush ponytail, a pep in my step that had yet to run out” to the Harvard Business School library, “I could not understand why my female classmates did not join me, given their intelligence”). But it’s nothing more than a recycling of some of the oldest advice around: For women to mold themselves around more-powerful men, to never grow into independent adults, and to find happiness in a state of perpetual pre-adolescence, submission, and dependence. These are odd choices for an aspiring writer (one wonders what, exactly, a girl who never wants to grow up and has no idea who she is beyond what a man has made her into could possibly have to write about). And it’s bad advice for most human beings, at least if what most human beings seek are meaningful and happy lives.

But this is not an essay about the benefits of younger women marrying older men. It is an essay about the benefits of younger women marrying rich men. Most of the purported upsides—a paid-for apartment, paid-for vacations, lives split between Miami and London—are less about her husband’s age than his wealth. Every 20-year-old in the country could decide to marry a thirtysomething and she wouldn’t suddenly be gifted an eternal vacation.

Which is part of what makes the framing of this as an age-gap essay both strange and revealing. The benefits the writer derives from her relationship come from her partner’s money. But the things she gives up are the result of both their profound financial inequality and her relative youth. Compared to her and her peers, she writes, her husband “struck me instead as so finished, formed.” By contrast, “At 20, I had felt daunted by the project of becoming my ideal self.” The idea of having to take responsibility for her own life was profoundly unappealing, as “adulthood seemed a series of exhausting obligations.” Tying herself to an older man gave her an out, a way to skip the work of becoming an adult by allowing a father-husband to mold her to his desires. “My husband isn’t my partner,” she writes. “He’s my mentor, my lover, and, only in certain contexts, my friend. I’ll never forget it, how he showed me around our first place like he was introducing me to myself: This is the wine you’ll drink, where you’ll keep your clothes, we vacation here, this is the other language we’ll speak, you’ll learn it, and I did.”

These, by the way, are the things she says are benefits of marrying older.

The downsides are many, including a basic inability to express a full range of human emotion (“I live in an apartment whose rent he pays and that constrains the freedom with which I can ever be angry with him”) and an understanding that she owes back, in some other form, what he materially provides (the most revealing line in the essay may be when she claims that “when someone says they feel unappreciated, what they really mean is you’re in debt to them”). It is clear that part of what she has paid in exchange for a paid-for life is a total lack of any sense of self, and a tacit agreement not to pursue one. “If he ever betrayed me and I had to move on, I would survive,” she writes, “but would find in my humor, preferences, the way I make coffee or the bed nothing that he did not teach, change, mold, recompose, stamp with his initials.”

Reading Christie’s essay, I thought of another one: Joan Didion’s on self-respect , in which Didion argues that “character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life—is the source from which self-respect springs.” If we lack self-respect, “we are peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously determined to live out—since our self-image is untenable—their false notions of us.” Self-respect may not make life effortless and easy. But it means that whenever “we eventually lie down alone in that notoriously un- comfortable bed, the one we make ourselves,” at least we can fall asleep.

It can feel catty to publicly criticize another woman’s romantic choices, and doing so inevitably opens one up to accusations of jealousy or pettiness. But the stories we tell about marriage, love, partnership, and gender matter, especially when they’re told in major culture-shaping magazines. And it’s equally as condescending to say that women’s choices are off-limits for critique, especially when those choices are shared as universal advice, and especially when they neatly dovetail with resurgent conservative efforts to make women’s lives smaller and less independent. “Marry rich” is, as labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards put it in Bloomberg, essentially the Republican plan for mothers. The model of marriage as a hierarchy with a breadwinning man on top and a younger, dependent, submissive woman meeting his needs and those of their children is not exactly a fresh or groundbreaking ideal. It’s a model that kept women trapped and miserable for centuries.

It’s also one that profoundly stunted women’s intellectual and personal growth. In her essay for the Cut, Christie seems to believe that a life of ease will abet a life freed up for creative endeavors, and happiness. But there’s little evidence that having material abundance and little adversity actually makes people happy, let alone more creatively generativ e . Having one’s basic material needs met does seem to be a prerequisite for happiness. But a meaningful life requires some sense of self, an ability to look outward rather than inward, and the intellectual and experiential layers that come with facing hardship and surmounting it.

A good and happy life is not a life in which all is easy. A good and happy life (and here I am borrowing from centuries of philosophers and scholars) is one characterized by the pursuit of meaning and knowledge, by deep connections with and service to other people (and not just to your husband and children), and by the kind of rich self-knowledge and satisfaction that comes from owning one’s choices, taking responsibility for one’s life, and doing the difficult and endless work of growing into a fully-formed person—and then evolving again. Handing everything about one’s life over to an authority figure, from the big decisions to the minute details, may seem like a path to ease for those who cannot stomach the obligations and opportunities of their own freedom. It’s really an intellectual and emotional dead end.

And what kind of man seeks out a marriage like this, in which his only job is to provide, but very much is owed? What kind of man desires, as the writer cast herself, a raw lump of clay to be molded to simply fill in whatever cracks in his life needed filling? And if the transaction is money and guidance in exchange for youth, beauty, and pliability, what happens when the young, beautiful, and pliable party inevitably ages and perhaps feels her backbone begin to harden? What happens if she has children?

The thing about using youth and beauty as a currency is that those assets depreciate pretty rapidly. There is a nearly endless supply of young and beautiful women, with more added each year. There are smaller numbers of wealthy older men, and the pool winnows down even further if one presumes, as Christie does, that many of these men want to date and marry compliant twentysomethings. If youth and beauty are what you’re exchanging for a man’s resources, you’d better make sure there’s something else there—like the basic ability to provide for yourself, or at the very least a sense of self—to back that exchange up.

It is hard to be an adult woman; it’s hard to be an adult, period. And many women in our era of unfinished feminism no doubt find plenty to envy about a life in which they don’t have to work tirelessly to barely make ends meet, don’t have to manage the needs of both children and man-children, could simply be taken care of for once. This may also explain some of the social media fascination with Trad Wives and stay-at-home girlfriends (some of that fascination is also, I suspect, simply a sexual submission fetish , but that’s another column). Fantasies of leisure reflect a real need for it, and American women would be far better off—happier, freer—if time and resources were not so often so constrained, and doled out so inequitably.

But the way out is not actually found in submission, and certainly not in electing to be carried by a man who could choose to drop you at any time. That’s not a life of ease. It’s a life of perpetual insecurity, knowing your spouse believes your value is decreasing by the day while his—an actual dollar figure—rises. A life in which one simply allows another adult to do all the deciding for them is a stunted life, one of profound smallness—even if the vacations are nice.

IMAGES

How to Write a Division Classification Essay
Learn How to Write a Classification Essay with Our Checklist
Classification Essay: What Is It And How To Write One?
How to Write a Classification Essay
How to Write a Classification Essay
How to Write a Division Classification Essay

VIDEO

SP24 Classification Essay Overview
Classification Essay Part 7: Thesis
#2 winning IELTS Exam Essay words #fypシ #english #study #studytips #ielts #ieltsexam #
english essay words
funny 🤣 english essay words
ESSAY-WRITING

COMMENTS

How To Write A Classification Essay in 7 Steps + Examples
A classification essay can be defined as an essay that aims to arrange its subjects in categories based on their characteristics. In other words, it's about grouping things together that share common traits. For example, imagine you're at a library, and each book is a unique idea. The classification essay is your way of creating distinct ...
Classification Essay Guide: 30 Topics & Examples
The classification essay outline has the advantage of staying almost similar even as the idea behind essay changes. Having a good outline is critical to the success of any paper - it serves as an informative guide to you and helps you plan your 500 words essay and paragraphs.
How to Write a Classification Essay: Guide & Examples
Body Paragraphs of a Classification Essay. Classification essay's main body commonly has around 1-3 paragraphs. But don't forget to ask your professor about the length. The important thing to remember is that you are classifying items in your work. In order to achieve precise and successful organization, your body paragraphs must be concise.
10.4 Classification
Building on Note 10.43 "Exercise 1" and Note 10.46 "Exercise 2", write a five-paragraph classification essay about one of the four original topics. In your thesis, make sure to include the topic, subtopics, and rationale for your breakdown. And make sure that your essay is organized into paragraphs that each describes a subtopic.
Classification Essay: Topics, Outline and Writing Tips
Classification essay outline. The outline is a general description or plan that schematically displays the main points of your essay. The main point of an outline is to help you see the structure of your essay and use it as a useful guide for writing. Usually, a typical outline describes the essence of each point in one sentence.
How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay
Updated on July 03, 2019. Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. After you have settled on a topic for a classification essay * and explored it through various prewriting strategies, you should be ready to attempt a first draft.
Writing A Classification Paper
Classification is sorting things into groups or categories on a single basis of division. A classification paper says something meaningful about how a whole relates to parts, or parts relate to a whole. Like skimming, scanning, paraphrasing, and summarizing, classification requires the ability to group related words, ideas, and characteristics.
Classification Essays
The classification is normally made according to one or more criteria. It is often necessary in academic English to classify something you are writing about in order to make comparisons and draw conclusions. This could be done in one or two sentences, a paragraph, or even a whole essay. This page gives information about how to classify ...
15.5 Classification Essay
15.5 Classification Essay Learning Objective. Read an example of the classification rhetorical mode. Types of Higher Education Programs. Today's students have many choices when it comes to pursuing a degree: four-year programs, two-year programs, large or small classroom settings, and even daytime or evening classes. With all the different ...
4.6: Classification Essays
Use the following classification equation to craft your thesis statement: topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis. (4.6.1) (4.6.1) topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis. The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics.
Classification Essay
Topics: When choosing a topic make sure the topic is complex enough to be divided into categories, while not being so broad that the reader is overwhelmed with categories. Categories: Since a classification essay breaks a topic or subject into categories, it is important for each category to be distinct from one another. Categories that overlap will be nebulous and difficult for a reader to ...
A comprehensive guide on crafting classification essay
Like any other essay, a classification essay also has three sections inclusive of the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Going ahead, this guide takes you through the entire process of writing an impressive classification essay starting with an impactful introduction.
11.2: The Structure of a Classification Essay
Example 11.2.1 11.2. 1: When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York state, it is helpful to break it into these five separate regions: Long ...
Classification
The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics. Each body paragraph is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subtopics. In a way, coming up with a strong topic pays double rewards in a classification essay. Not only do you have a good topic, but you also have a solid ...
Ultimate Guide To Writing A Classification Essay
A classification essay is a type of academic writing in which things, people, or ideas are put into groups based on the things they have in common. The goal of a classification essay is to help readers understand a complicated topic better by breaking it down into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces. It's important to write a classification ...
Classification and Division Essay ⇒ Writing Guide and Tips
In classification essays, each body paragraph usually starts with the introduction of one of the categories of your classification. For division essays, it would be one of the parts of the whole. Each category should be accompanied by its characteristics and traits backed up by solid examples. 7. Write the conclusion.
How to Write a Classification Essay
Use classification essay transition words to ensure that the data flows logically from one paragraph to another. The following are some common transition phrases. Apply them each time you arrange things into groups and provide examples related to each class. The 1st kind, the 2nd kind, the 3rd kind ...
Classification
It should include the topic, your subtopics, and the reason you are choosing to break down the topic in the way that you are. Use the following classification thesis equation: topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis. The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics.
How to write a classification essay quickly, easily and ...
Provide the criteria and begin with analyzing different examples. Check whether you created smooth transitions between categories going to a new paragraph; Conclusion. In the final part of your classification essay, you bring all the categories together from the main part and give a brief rundown on each of them.
13.2: Basic Structure of the Classification Essay
Students will need to develop clear and concise thesis statements that identify the point and purpose of the essay while breaking the subjects down into logically developed paragraphs. Thesis statements should always be written in third person. There are two kinds of thesis statements: a basic thesis statement and a listing thesis statement.
182 Best Classification Essay Topics For Academic Writing
Definition Classification Essay Topics. Topics in this category define and classify different items, concepts, or ideas. Here are ideas to explore in this section: Various types of love. Different forms of beauty. Categories of success and their differences. Various types of failure. Different categories of fear.
Classification Essay Outline
A classification essay outline will help you classify and organize the subjects being discussed. This is done in such a way that it is easy for the reader to understand and comprehend. Not just the classification essay, but every type of essay requires you to draft an outline first. This is considered to be the prewriting phase of essay writing.
Your Doctor's Words Could Make You Sick
April 4, 2024 7:00 AM EDT. Blease, Ph.D., . Bernstein, Ph.D., Locher, Ph.D., and Brown, M.D. are authors of the book The Nocebo Effect: When Words Make You Sick. "You may feel a sharp pinch, but ...
Trump's Bible Misunderstands Christianity
Here are some tips. And here's our email: [email protected]. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, X and Threads. 602. 602. Trump's God Bless ...
4.5: Classification
Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show the readers a different way of considering the state of New York. Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph.
AI Garbage Is Already Polluting the Internet
Line chart showing the word frequency of adjectives used in scientific paper peer reviews about A.I. since 2020. The words "Innovative", "notable", "commendable", "intricate ...
Why Taiwan Was So Prepared for a Powerful Earthquake
April 4, 2024. Leer en español. When the largest earthquake in Taiwan in half a century struck off its east coast, the buildings in the closest city, Hualien, swayed and rocked. As more than 300 ...
The Cut's viral essay on having an age gap is really about marrying
The Image Bank/Getty Images. Women are wisest, a viral essay in New York magazine's the Cut argues, to maximize their most valuable cultural assets— youth and beauty—and marry older men when ...

A Beginner’s Guide to Classification Essay + Examples, Topics, & Tips

What is a Classification Essay?

How to Write a Classification Essay?

Step 1: Choose a Topic

Step 2: Conduct Research

Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas About Your Subject

Step 4: Develop a Thesis Statement

Step 5: Draft an Outline

Step 6: Write Your First Draft

Step 7: Revise, Edit, & Improve Your Draft

Classification Essay Examples

Classification Essay Topics

Tips for Writing an Effective Classification Essay

Keep reading

Classification Essay: A Quick Guide with Examples

What Is a Classification Essay: Definition

How to Write a Classification Essay

Developing an Effective Classification Essay Thesis Statement

Classification Essay Outline

How to Start a Classification Essay: Introduction

Body Paragraphs of a Classification Essay

Classification Essay Conclusion

Classification Essay Writing: Useful Tips

Classification Essay Examples

Classification Essay: Bottom Line

FAQ about Classification Essays

2. How long is a classification essay?

3. What is the difference between a division and classification essay?

4. What are different types of classification?

You may also like

How to Write a Classification Essay?

Classification essay definition

How to write a classification essay

Classification essay outline

Classification essay topics

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Art Research Paper Topics

How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

Introductory Paragraph

Intro Paragraph Example: Baseball Fans

Body Paragraphs

Body Paragraphs Example: Types of Fans

Comparisons Ensure Cohesion

Concluding Paragraph

Concluding Paragraph: Only the Diehard Fans Remain

Connecting the Conclusion to the Introduction

Writing A Classification Paper

Classification

How to classify

Language for classifying

GET FREE EBOOK

Next section

Previous section

15.5 Classification Essay

Online Classification Essay Alternatives

Writing Academic Essays

What is a classification essay?

Get in Touch

Learning Commons Quick Links

Services We Provide

Resources We Provide

Login / Register

Table of Contents

What is a classification essay?

How to write the introduction of a classification essay?

Introduction element: Hook of a classification essay

Example hook

Introduction element: Thesis statement of a classification essay

Sample thesis statement

Introduction element: outline of a classification essay

Sample outline

How to write the body of a classification essay?

Sample body paragraph

How to write the conclusion of a classification essay?

Sample conclusion

What makes classification essays different from other types of essays?

What are some effective strategies for transitioning between categories in my essay?

Macdonald DeWitt Library at SUNY Ulster

Learning Objectives

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You