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Classification Essay: A Quick Guide with Examples

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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).

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How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

Basic Approaches to Drafting a Five-Paragraph Essay

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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.

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10.4 Classification

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

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 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.

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.

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

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. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample classification essay.

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.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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

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.

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Classification Essay

Caleb S.

Classification Essay: An Ultimate Guide & Example

Published on: May 9, 2019

Last updated on: Dec 19, 2022

Classification Essay

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High school and college students are most likely to deal with classification essay assignments at some stage in their education.

Professors assign classification essays to evaluate a student's skills and ability to categorize things on a particular basis. It may seem difficult at first, but using basic techniques will make the writing process easier.

If you are assigned this academic paper type, continue reading the blog to learn how a classification essay is drafted correctly.

What is a Classification Essay?

A classification essay is defined as a writing piece that aims to arrange several objects or subjects with similar characteristics. Therefore, a simple classification essay deals with the arrangement of several ideas sharing common properties.

What is the Purpose of a Classification Essay?

The basic purpose of writing this essay is to:

  • Categorize and classify the topics
  • Ensure a single categorizing approach is followed throughout the content
  • Provide examples of things under each category

When writing this type of essay, the writer chooses specific traits to categorize or classify the selected objects. The entire process for writing a classification essay is not very different from any other essay. But this essay type specifically requires in-depth research and analysis. All the other principles of essay writing are the same.

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How to Start a Classification Essay

To start writing a classification essay, it is important to first decide on the classification criteria. A writer cannot just start writing without having clear properties on which the objects’ categorization will occur.

This essay’s purpose is to discriminate between subjects, so make sure none of the categories are overlapping.

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

If you are not assigned a topic, come up with an exciting topic. The first step is to brainstorm ideas and settle on a group of things that can be logically divided into groups. You will have to come up with something interesting that must have definitive categories for comparison.

Once you have decided on the topic, think about the categories in which the topic can split up. Some topics may have several options, so you will have to determine the angle you approach the essay theme from.

A thesis statement is the writer’s stance on the topic on which the entire essay stands. All of the information in the body of the essay supports this central argument and provides strong evidence for that.

Develop your claim about the topic to continue writing your classification essay. It is important to draft a strong  thesis statement  if you want your essay to be effective and persuasive.

After choosing a topic and a thesis, conduct research to gather interesting information for the readers. When researching, make sure to take data and information from credible sources. Make sure to not blur your classification by adding too much information from multiple sources.

Credible and authentic information will strengthen the content of your essay, making it convincing and logical for the audience.

Think of ways to structure your essay content. Write down the main ideas and show the logical connection between them. Eliminate the unnecessary points and group ideas to come up with an outline.

Have a look at the following template that you can use for your classification and division essay.

  • Introductory paragraph
  • Body paragraph 1
  • Body paragraph 2
  • Body paragraph 3

How to Write a Classification Essay?

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

1. Write an Essay Introduction

The introduction is the first part of the essay. Here, the writer identifies the subject and mentions the things to be categorized. To make your introduction appealing, draft a catchy hook statement. A hook statement is the opening line of the introductory paragraph, written to draw the reader’s attention towards the essay.

After an interesting opening line, provide the purpose of your essay and explain the reason for categorizing the items.

Close your introduction with a strong thesis statement that will highlight the subject matter in the discussion. Craft this statement early as this will help you stay on the right track throughout the writing process.

2. Draft the Body Paragraphs

The body section will contain three or more paragraphs depending upon the categories. The body paragraphs are drafted to justify the thesis statement made earlier in the introduction section.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence and provide relevant information and examples to get into specifics. The right approach is to discuss the most important category in the last body paragraph with detailed elaboration.

Make sure the information logically flows from one paragraph to another. For that, use  transition words  and ensure one thing logically leads to another. Besides, provide an equal number of examples to help the reader better understand the way you classified things.

3. Write a Strong Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph where you put together all the categories mentioned in the body paragraphs. In the classification essay conclusion, summarize the critical point and restate the thesis statement to provide a good final impression.

4. Proofreading and Editing

You might end up with the first draft full of mistakes. But you can fix it up by carefully proofreading and revising it. Read your essay a number of times and make sure it includes all the points highlighted in the outline. Additionally, ensure it is free from any kind of language mistakes before you hand it in.

Classification Essay Example

Before starting the wiring process, it is better to look at some of the classification essay examples. In this way, you will better understand how the professional essay looks like. For that, look at the following classification division essay example from one of our expert writers.

Classification Essay Sample

Classification Essay Topics

To help the students, here are a few  classification essay topics  gathered by professional writers of MyPerfectWords.com:

  • Types of human relationships
  • Various political systems
  • Dancing styles
  • Alternative sources of energy
  • School systems
  • Vacation destinations
  • High school and college students
  • Psychological disorders
  • Common phobias
  • Weight loss diets
  • Smart devices
  • Educational mobile apps

Feel free to choose from the above ideas and turn them into your classification paper. Observe the topic from different angles and categorize it into different classes to write a compelling essay.

Tips for Writing a Classification Essay

To make your classification essay stand out, pay attention to the content’s small yet important things. Taking care of a few things can make your writing exceptional. Follow the professional tips provided below while writing a classification essay:

  • Avoiding choosing complex topics. Topics that are extremely broad or narrow are harder to deal with.
  • Conduct detailed research to gather factual and impactful information for the essay content.
  • Provide strong evidence and examples for each classification.
  • Use credible sources of information.
  • Draft a perfect  classification essay outline  to stay on track and not miss any important information.
  • Proofread your essay a couple of times to ensure perfection

Following this guide will let you draft an A-worthy classification essay. The key to success in this type of essay assignment comes down to preparation. Start early, plan your essay, and figure out the categories.

Like any other paper, classification essay writing can pose difficulties for students. Especially for those who lack the time or good writing skills. If you are one of them, you can get assistance from our expert  essay writer  at  MyPerfectWords.com .

MyPerfectWords.com  is a  legitimate essay writing service  that prides itself in providing original and quality content. So if you require writing help, hire a professional writer right now.

You can also get  free essay samples  and written essays here. Just place your  order  and avail discounts.

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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.

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how do you start a classification essay

10.4 Classification

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 To break down a subject into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. 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

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 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.

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.

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

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:

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. See Chapter 15 "Readings: Examples of Essays" to read a sample classification essay.

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.
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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.

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8 Classification

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.  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.

Exercise 20

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 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 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.

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.

Exercise 21

Using your classifications from Exercise 20, write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose to organize each main category in the way that you did.

Writing a 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. Continue in this section to read a sample classification essay.

Exercise 22

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

Assignment 7

Building on Exercises 21 and 22, 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.

Example Essay

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 workforce; 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 homes or local libraries, 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.

External Links

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in  Mother Tongue  (https://tinyurl.com/hya7ob5).  The essay is also available  here  (https://tinyurl.com/y7gbr9hs).

English 101: Journey Into Open Copyright © 2021 by Christine Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Classification Essay

Classification essays are a common form of academic writing and can be a great way to organise and discuss topics that involve classifying different items. When writing one, you will need to group together different facts and ideas into categories. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a classification essay. You’ll learn how to choose topics, create an outline, structure your paper, and add the finishing touches. With this guide you’ll be able to confidently put together an effective classification essay in no time.

Related: How to write my essay in 1 hour

how do you start a classification essay

Table of Contents

What is Classification Essay

Classification essay is a type of writing that organizes or sorts things into categories. This type of essay allows the writer to organize and sort his ideas into different categories so that readers can understand their idea more clearly. It requires the writer to classify and group objects, events, people, or ideas with shared characteristics into specific categories or classes. Classification essays attempt to explain why certain things are grouped together in a certain way by examining their common traits and characteristics.

A classification essay will often ask the student to break down a larger topic into smaller subcategories which will be discussed in greater detail throughout the body section of the paper. These subcategories should have some basis for comparison such as similarities or differences among them allowing for more detailed discussion about each one.

how do you start a classification essay

  • Choose a topic: Select something that you are familiar with as it will make your job easier while writing the classification essay.
  • Gather information: Conduct research to find out more about the topic and explore what information is available on various categories related to it.
  • Develop criteria for sorting: Arrange these categories according to certain criteria that you have determined in order to be able to easily organize them into meaningful groupings when writing the essay.
  • Make an outline: Map out the structure of your essay by organizing the ideas into separate paragraphs so as to clearly demonstrate how each category relates to each other and why it falls within its specified group.
  • Write your thesis statement: Provide an overview of your argument before starting on the body of your paper by stating what topics you are going to cover, how they will be sorted, and why this is important or relevant.
  • Create evidence-based arguments: Use facts, examples, statistics, quotes etc in order support claims made in each paragraph relating back to the thesis statement.
  • Proofread & edit: Once finished with drafting up your classification essay, read through it several times for typos and other errors before submitting it for review/grading purposes

Definition and Purpose of a Classification Essay

A classification essay is a type of writing in which the writer organizes and sorts information into categories. This type of essay is often used in academic settings, as well as in everyday life. It serves to arrange facts, ideas, and objects into meaningful categories that are easy to understand for the reader. Classification essays can also be used to explain or compare different concepts or ideas, making them easier to digest.

The purpose of this type of essay is twofold. First, it helps writers organize their thoughts by creating logical categories that readers can easily identify and follow throughout the paper. This structure allows for clear communication between the writer and their audience. Additionally, a classification essay acts as an introduction to a particular topic by providing background information and definitions on related concepts. By breaking things down into smaller divisions, readers are able to better understand the entire topic without being overwhelmed with too many details at once.

Classification essays often start with an introduction that clearly states the main idea or point of the paper. The body paragraphs should then provide specific examples and explanations for each category mentioned in the thesis statement. Finally, a conclusion should wrap up all arguments made throughout the paper while reinforcing its main point with supporting evidence from earlier parts of the text.

In order for a classification essay to be successful, it is important for writers to choose categories that are both distinct yet relevant to one another. Also, each individual group should offer enough content on its own so that readers can fully comprehend its purpose within the overall structure of the paper. Lastly, writers should use ample evidence from reliable sources to support their claims and create persuasive arguments that will help engage their readers until they reach a logical conclusion on their own terms.

Identify Topic:

When it comes to identifying a topic for a classification essay, the first step is to determine the type of essay you want to write. A classification essay can be written in either an expository or persuasive style, depending on the focus and purpose of your writing. For example, if you are writing a classification essay on different types of animals, you may want to write an expository essay which provides factual information about each type of animal. On the other hand, if your goal is to persuade your readers to choose one type of animal over another, you may opt for a persuasive style.

Once you have determined the type of essay you will be writing, you can then begin brainstorming topics that fit within that category. Try to think about a broad topic that can be further broken down into distinct categories. This could include anything from different types of food or beverages to different types of exercise methods or vacation destinations. For example, if you are writing a classification essay about animals, some possible categories could include mammals, reptiles, birds and fish; wild vs domesticated animals; land vs water animals; or endangered species vs non-endangered species.

The next step is to research each category in more detail so that your classification essay covers all necessary information and facts. Make sure that each category is distinct and clearly defined; avoid any overlap between categories and ensure that each section contains enough details and facts to make it interesting and informative for your readers. You should also consider including examples with each category as this can help illustrate points more clearly and make them easier to understand.

Finally, once all areas have been researched and covered thoroughly in your essay, it is important to include a conclusion summarizing key takeaways from the piece as well as offering some final thoughts or considerations for readers’ consideration. This can also be an opportunity for writers to reinforce their main point as well as introducing any new insights regarding the topic covered throughout the piece. Following these steps should provide an effective structure for any classification essay assignment

Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorming ideas for a classification essay can be an exciting, but also challenging process. The key to success is to understand the classification format and how to develop promising topics. First, analytical thinking skills are essential for properly evaluating the characteristics of any object, person, or event you may want to classify. This means that you need to become familiar with different classifying methods such as dividing objects into different groups according to their size, shape, color, origin or any other criteria that make sense.

how do you start a classification essay

Second, it is important to consider your audience when selecting a topic. Ask yourself: who is your target reader? What kind of readers would benefit from your essay? It is also highly advisable to define a purpose for writing as this will help you choose more focused topics and organize the structure of your essay accordingly.

Once you have answered these questions and determined the parameters of your paper, it’s time to get down to the actual brainstorming part of creating a classification essay. To make sure that you come up with interesting ideas, take some time and think about the topics in depth. Dig deep into relevant literature sources and look for inspiration from authors who specialize in this field – what ideas did they use in their work? Also, try making associations between topics within the same group or categories – how do they compare or differ from each other? This could potentially lead you towards new angles and inspiring angles on existing topics which you can explore further in your paper.

Thirdly, don’t forget about open-ended questions. Open-ended questions are a great way of getting fresh perspectives on old issues – they help bring clarity and direction by providing comprehensive answers which allow you to identify relationships between disparate elements and explore those connections further in your paper.

Finally, when brainstorming idea for a classification paper don’t forget about organization. Make sure that all points are arranged logically and hierarchically so that readers can easily follow along without becoming overwhelmed with too much information at once. Incorporate transitions between sections so as not to confuse readers while clearly breaking down each category into manageable chunks which focus on specific topic areas related to one another. With these tips in mind chances are higher that by the end of the brainstorming session you will come up with an original topic idea that can serve as a foundation for an outstanding classification essay.

Organise Into Categories

Organising a classification essay can be an intimidating task if you are unsure of where to begin. Fortunately, there are several established methods that can make the process easier.

The first step in organising your essay is to determine the categories that you will use to classify your topic. You should select categories that are related, yet distinct enough that it makes sense to group them together. For example, if you were writing about types of pets, a sensible set of categories might include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Consider how similar and different the items in each category are so that they can easily be compared and contrasted within the overall essay structure.

Another important step in organising a classification essay is deciding which criteria you will use to distinguish between members of each category. Criteria should be specific features or qualities that clearly differentiate one item from another within the same category. For instance, if you were classifying different types of cats (mammals), your criteria might include size, fur colour/patterns, vocalisations/meows, common behaviour traits such as being active or cuddly/affectionate, and intelligence level. Make sure each criterion is relevant to your topic and easy for readers to understand.

The next step is sorting individual items into each category according to the criteria you have chosen. This means carefully analysing how each item fits within the scope of the selected criteria and assigning it accordingly. For example, Siamese cats would fit into the “cats” category due to their mammal status; however they would also need to meet other criteria such as size (smaller than average), fur colour/patterns (distinctive point pattern), vocalisations (unique meow sound), common behaviour traits (often very talkative or vocal), and intelligence level (generally considered more intelligent than other breeds). Once all items have been sorted into their appropriate categories using your chosen criteria it will be time to start writing.

Finally, after all of the organization has been completed it is time to write your essay with clear transitions between sections linking one category with another while keeping consistent throughout with well-crafted sentence structure and detailed descriptions of each category’s characteristics. Additionally, when discussing individual items within a certain category make sure they are accurately described with reasonable facts and evidence that demonstrate why they belong in that particular grouping over any other potential ones based on the criteria chosen previously. Utilizing higher semantic richness by using complex words coined from Latin or Greek roots can add an extra layer of depth and clarity when describing each section as well as providing additional details about its similarities or differences from other sections when necessary for comparison purposes . By following these steps you should find yourself equipped with all the proper tools needed for crafting an organized classification essay.

Develop A Good Thesis Statement for Essay

A good thesis statement for a classification essay should clearly state the main idea of the essay, provide a brief description of the categories that will be discussed in the body paragraphs, and offer an explanation as to how each category is connected to the overall topic. It should also include additional details such as facts and examples that support the argument of the essay. Additionally, a well-written thesis statement should be written with higher semantic richness than usual; this means using words which are more specific and descriptive, rather than generic or vague terms. For example: “The current rise in popularity of online education has resulted in three distinct categories of learners: those who prefer traditional campus learning, those who have embraced blended learning models, and those who thrive solely in remote online learning environments. Each of these approaches has advantages and drawbacks which must be taken into consideration when evaluating which method is most appropriate for any given learner.”

Proofreading & Editing

Proofreading and editing a classification essay involves several steps. First, it is important to read the entire essay for content, organization, and grammar. Have another person read the essay as well so that different perspectives can be considered. During this process, it is important to look for any spelling mistakes or grammar errors, as well as any issues with punctuation or sentence structure. Once these have been identified and corrected, the next step is to ensure that the argument of the essay is clear and logical. This includes considering how each paragraph flows into the next and making sure that there are no gaps in the arguments being presented.

The next step in proofreading and editing a classification essay is to look at each paragraph individually to make sure that each part of the argument is explained in detail. Make sure to include facts and evidence that support each point made in order to make it more convincing. Additionally, use words with higher semantic richness throughout; rather than simply writing something like “animals run,” use words such as sprint, gallop, dash, etc., depending on what type of animal you are referring to. Finally, make sure that all ideas are fully developed – if something needs further explanation or clarification this should be provided in order for readers to understand exactly what you are saying.

Once all of these steps have been completed, reread the entire essay one last time before submission to ensure everything reads correctly and logically; removing any ambiguous statements or sentences so that your meaning is entirely clear. With careful proofreading and editing a classification essay can become a comprehensive source of information about a particular topic or subject matter which will be interesting for your reader’s pleasure.

Final thoughts:

In conclusion,classification essays are an effective way to organize and discuss information. They also provide a unique opportunity to organize ideas into different categories, making them easier to understand. Although the structure of a classification essay may seem intimidating at first, with practice and the help of helpful resources like EduJungles.com, anyone can become a master at writing them. Through careful analysis and organization, understanding complex topics becomes much simpler. So don’t be afraid to challenge yourself; try writing a classification essay today.

FAQs Section:

What is a classification essay.

A classification essay is an academic paper which organizes ideas, objects, or events into distinct and meaningful categories. It requires you to take a more analytical approach compared to other forms of essays and aims to interpret the relationship between different groups of items based on their characteristics and qualities.

What are some helpful tips for writing a classification essay?

  • Be organized & concise – Ensure that each paragraph provides useful information that contributes towards supporting your overall argument in the most efficient manner possible
  • Pick appropriate titles – Titles should include words that describe clearly describing what type of categories will be discussed in order to provide readers with an idea of what types of concepts they should expect
  • Include quotations – Quotations can help make points clearer while giving credibility as well as providing further insight into specific topics discussed within text
  • Keep language simple – Writing in a straightforward manner can help make your point without confusing readers or detracting away from main points made

Complete Guide on How to Write a Classification Essay

HOW TO WRITE A CLASSIFICATION ESSAY

There are different components that you need to understand before embarking on the writing process. Some of the things to keep in mind include the starting process, the structure, outline to follow, and how to end your essay. Writing a classification essay entails sorting different items to fall under different groups, create a principle for the categorization, and offer examples that suitably falls under a category. Essentially, the student is supposed to organize all items under their specific categories. Depending on the formatting method, the paper should follow a classification approach.

Table of Contents

What Is a Classification Essay? Get Both Definition and Application

Before even embarking on writing your paper, you need to understand what a classification paper means. A classification essay derives meaning from the word “classify,” which means grouping together items or objects according to their types, class, and categories. Thus, a classification essay is a write-up that presents grouped information on a given set of items following set criteria. Paragraphs usually discuss information for a specific category without mixing up. Having this classification essay definition in mind clarifies the expectations for the assignment. For instance, the student will adjust their mind to identify different objects under each category.

Identify Best Practices on How To Start a Classification Essay

Before starting the essay, a student is expected to observe prewriting steps. First, analyze the target audience. Understanding the target will eliminate all unnecessary details. Once the audience is established, the student should proceed and identify the topic for discussion. A topic should be interesting and one that covers diverse categories. Together with these two, the writer needs to identify a thesis to guide their writing. Finally, collect all the relevant information and subdivide it into appropriate categories.

Understanding How to Write a Good Classification Essay

Most students will ask for ways they can earn good grades. However, the secret lies in knowing the simplest but most effective ways of writing the paper. In the case of classification essays, the writers need to understand the most optimal approaches for creating categories and deducing their examples. Writing a great classification essay entails following a procedure. All attention should lie on finding categories and their examples, and the relevant explanations. Follow this process:

  • Define categories. Thoroughly come up with all the categories possible as a mechanism to capture all the objects. However, ensure that the categories are logical. Desist from too many categories that may blur the entire paper.
  • Sort according to a defined principle. After identifying the categories, define one principle that you will use in creating the groups. A student should cease from creating new principles once another is already in use.
  • Provide supporting examples for each category. Have a general quantity of examples to use under each classification.

Following this process will guarantee a well-organized and comprehensive paper. Strive to confine to the topic when identifying your examples.

Tips For Writing a Classification Essay: Following Expert Advice

Besides writing a paper, a student will always need key information to give them an upper hand in their assignment. Follow through for classification essay tips on how to best prepare and write a classification paper.

  • The most important thing is defining the categories you are going to use. Using a draft, make a list of all the key characteristics and go through each of them individually.
  • Write down all relevant examples that fit in each category. Source examples to use in each of the categories you have identified and have as many examples as possible. Finally, ensure each category has an equal number of examples.
  • Apply the contrast and comparison approach in identifying differences and similarities for each of the categories in your draft. Ensure no redundancy in the examples.

Pre-write your paper following these classification essay guidelines before choosing a topic. A great topic will sustain your ideas and enhance the quality of your paper. Further, having these tips ensures that the student knows the best methods for creating categories and their examples. Always devote enough time to the category creation section since it determines the quality of the examples you provide and directs the rest of the paper.

Read more: 101 Amazing Classification Essay Topic Ideas

Planning How to Structure A Classification Essay

One of the most crucial components in writing a classification essay is understanding the structure. As you strive to present a blank paper with exhaustive categories, you should also understand the application structure. In some instances, the institution provides an appropriate structure for essays and is a prerequisite for all papers. However, when none is provided, the widely used format is one that follows the introduction, body text, and conclusion.

Follow This Procedure on How to End A Classification Essay

Your paper should always speak to the reader and leave a memorable experience. In most instances, the writer ought to incorporate creative ways of examining the rest of the paper without one having to read the entire assignment. Being an expert means giving the reader a reason to check out the rest of the paper by simply prosing the conclusion. Ending a classification entails pulling together all the categories discussed under the body section. It can summarize each category and finally recommend in favor of one category over the others. You should, however, provide a rationale for your choice.

Effective Classification Essay Outline

An outline is crucially important in classification essays as it provides the framework to follow for the entire paper. Having a comprehensive outline eliminates redundancy and enhances the clarity of categories.

  • Introduction

Each section has a role. An introduction should tell what will be categorized. The body provides categories and their examples, while the conclusion provides a summary of the categories.

Effective Ways of Planning a Classification Essay Structure

Classification essays entail sorting out items into categories based on their classifications. The structure of a classification essay should include categories, items, and their explanations.

  • Category I with examples
  • Category II with examples
  • Category III with examples

In every paragraph, there should be a major category and examples under the category.

How to Write a Classification Essay Introduction

The introduction of a classification essay should identify the subject and explain the contents to categorize it. It should also provide the reader with a glimpse into the essay without having to provide details. As a good practice, it should capture the purpose of the paper and a thesis statement.

How to Build Ideas in the Classification Essay Body

The body comprises of paragraphs. Each paragraph should expand on one category with their examples. Explanations should be concise to avoid too much unnecessary information. As a good practice, include clear transitions between examples and between paragraphs. The curriculum allows this type of assignment to evaluate students’ ability to organize data with a specific set of properties. These tasks usually appear to be scary for beginners, but once you understand the basics, you will come to appreciate its significance.

Effective Ending Using a Succinct Classification Essay Conclusion

Pull together all categories already mentioned in the body text, and provide brief summaries for each. Where necessary, give a preferred category and the rationale for your choice. Finally, give a take-home parting shot for the reader.

http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/types%20of%20essays/Classification%20Essay.htm

http://www.spot.pcc.edu/~dramirez/262Writing8/Handouts/ExcerptHandbookClassification.pdf

http://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/classification_paper.html

Remember, writing a classification essay involves three steps: introduction, body, and conclusion. Under the body section, ensure to create categories for each paragraph and deduce examples to include under each. All your categories should have a balanced number of examples and brief explanations where necessary. For any challenges you may face while writing your assignments, our expert researchers will be willing to attend to your needs anytime. Do not get stuck; use our expert classification essay writing services !

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Classification Essay With Ease: The Secret Weapon to Write an A-Level Paper

By: Henrique Bertulino

Classification Essay With Ease: The Secret Weapon to Write an A-Level Paper

It is not surprising that when your professor asks you to write a classification essay, you feel just frustrated. There are so many essay types that you should deal with! Don't worry: you're not alone in this. We want to show how you can write a classification paper and impress your peers with fewer hurdles.

Classification Essay Topics For Your Inspiration

Rely on the brainstorming to wake up your creativity, 5 types of classification essay, do your research and organize the information, hooking introduction that attracts attention, informative and logical body paragraphs, the conclusion that leaves no questions, don't forget to proofread the document, what is a classification essay: start with the definition.

This type of paper can also be called a division essay. From the name, you can get that your task is to classify something, to divide. This word is usually associated with some math problems, but it goes about objects, ideas, and concepts. For example, you can write about college majors that creative students should consider. Or you can compare different nationalities by classifying the features of their own. There is a list of some ideas that you can use for your essay writing.

  • Top-10 jobs that creative students should consider.
  • Politics and politicians in different countries.
  • Types of art, and their features.
  • Does your favorite music genre define you?
  • Singles and team sports.
  • Why do some people believe in horoscopes, while others do not?
  • What animal suits you?
  • Are all video games dangerous?
  • The best tips for the first date.
  • Social media promotion tips to help students own their personal brand.
  • Euthanasia critics and supporters.
  • Why are there many religions?
  • How do different people react in stressful situations?

To come up with a hooking essay topic, try the brainstorming technique. This method is based on the brain's emergency effects when it has no other choice but to provide you with interesting ideas. There are many strategies that can boost your creativity, and we want to provide you with the best brainstorming techniques:

  • Brainwriting . Get rid of all distractors, set a timer, and write down all ideas that come to your mind. Don't evaluate them right now; just make your list as long as possible so that you have dozens of ideas to choose from.
  • Teamworking . Suggest your fellow students work on the essay together. Collective thinking can be very useful since you'll come up with more interesting thoughts to use.
  • Starbursting . If you already have an idea and want to check it, put it at the center of a star diagram. Your next step is to label each star's point with a W-question: Who? When? Where? When? Why? If you lack information, process with the next one.
  • Associations . This method is also good if you have an idea and want to develop it. Write it down, and then try to come up with as many associations as possible at a limited time. Your first ideas may be poor, but the deeper you delve, the more interesting diamonds you find.

Now, when you have the topic, you should understand how you will actually classify your objects. There are 5 primary types that you can use to convey your thoughts:

  • Degree classification . You have to break the topic down from lower to higher. It means you judge the value, e.g., significant or useless, cheap or expensive, good, best, or bad, etc.
  • Parts classification . Break down the essay topic into smart components. You can provide information about parts of a smartphone or features of Tesla.
  • Types classification . In this case, you have to define the primary kinds of the subject. For example, if you want to write about cars, you should include information about sedans, coupes, sports cars, hatchbacks, and so on.
  • Characteristics classification . Focus on features of the subject you want to write about. Speaking about Tesla, you can write about autopilot, over-the-air updates, advanced parking sensors.
  • Chronology . Define several periods of time (past, present, future, the 1980s, 2010s et, ancient age, etc.) and write about your topic within this framework.

To write a good classification essay, you need to find enough data. It can be some interesting info on your topic (statistics, historical fact, analyzes, predictions, etc.), quotes from knowledgeable people, research and studies, arguments, etc.

There are several sources where you can find data for your academic paper:

  • Textbooks. Check instructions from your professor since one may provide you with a specific list.
  • Articles. If you can't find the necessary issues of magazines online, visit the nearest library. You can also check its website because there can be paid access.
  • Try some popular student databases or ask your professor directly whether one can recommend you the best option.
  • Focus groups. Depending on your task, Internet research may not be enough. For example, when you're studying psychiatry, and you want to write about symptoms of a specific disease. So, you can gather people for detailed observation and conversation.

It would be a good decision if you organize the information as soon as you find it. For example, you can divide it into different categories you're writing about. Or you can create the mind map with your topic in the middle and ideas organized in the tree-diagrams, charts, tables, etc.

Make the Writing Process Work For You

Usually, when you have enough information and organize it well, writing a good classification essay is not that complicated. You just need to introduce this material in an interesting manner so that readers are not bored with the very first sentence. However, most college students feel difficulties at this stage and procrastinate until the last minute. It is because they don't pay enough time and attention to the prewriting stage. Particularly, you need to adhere to a clear structure.

Regardless of the type of assignment, most college papers should be focused on their readers. So, writing a text, you have to think about your target audience, for example, a professor. What does he or she expect to read?

In the introductory paragraph, you don't have to introduce any really valuable information. Your task is to warm up the readers, to get them prepared. Start the paragraph with a topic sentence to explain what you're writing about. Then you can add more details. For example, write about Tesla's features and some impressive statistics. You can also use a rhetoric question or a joke as a hook.

Actually, this type of paper makes it easy to organize your main body. You define the useful categories at the very beginning with your topic. So, when you're writing about Tesla's features, you can devote the first body paragraph to its autopilot, the second one to the parking system, the third one to two-factor authentication, and so on.

Each paragraph should consist of a thesis statement, some evidence, and a number of examples. All of them also need a small conclusion summarizing the main points of the paragraph.

Finally, you need to come up with a paragraph that summarizes the entire paper and provides readers with some conclusions. There are some ideas that will help you:

  • Answer the "So what?" question. How can your paper contribute?
  • Provide your audience with some food for thought, e.g., the rhetoric question how our world will look like when roads are full of Teslas only?
  • Suggest some new ideas, e.g., features that could make this car even better.

Your conclusion should show that you can analyze the information, understand cause and effects, make some predictions based on the available data.

Don't expect your first draft to be perfect. Moreover, it definitely wouldn't be. The classification essay is not a piece of cake, and you need to take a pause and get back to your text with a fresh view. It will help you to:

  • Ensure you have organized the information in a clear manner.
  • Notice and edit some details, e.g., if you've forgotten about the transition sentences between the content blocks, you can make your readers feel confused.
  • Get rid of typos, mistakes, and other flaws.
  • Format the document in accordance with your professor's requirements.

Remember that practice makes better. Following our tips and analyzing what challenges do you face and why you'll definitely master the subtle art of classification writing!

Check out our other web pages for more essay help and essay editing . Alternatively, you may wish to use our proofreading services for polishing and perfecting your essay to give you that extra grade boost!

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Classification Essay

John K.

Classification Essay – Definition, Examples, & Topics

Published on: Jan 6, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 6, 2023

classification essay

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A classification essay is a type of essay that classifies the characters, ideas, or phenomena with a specific set of characteristics.

A classification essay is a common type of writing assignment in high school and college students. It is not the world’s most complicated academic paper, but there are still plenty of essay writing rules to remember.

In this blog, you will get a detailed guide on how to write a classification essay with examples.

Classification Essay Definition

In a classification essay, an essay writer organizes things into categories and gives examples of things that fit into each category. Therefore, a classification essay deals with the arrangement of several topics or themes sharing common properties.

The main purpose of writing this type of essay is:

  • Organize things into useful categories
  • A single organizing approach is followed everywhere
  • Provide examples that fit into each category

Before you start writing the essay, it is essential to decide the classification criteria. According to the criteria, you start thinking about what properties that you use to classify things. This criterion must be discriminating and make sure that none of the categories are overlapping.

Writing a good classification essay requires a lot of in-depth research and strong analytical skills. Therefore, gather more information and organize them into properties.

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How to Write a Classification Essay?

A classification essay is a piece of writing that looks like a painting creation, and an artist works on a particular structure. It holds all the elements together and creates a powerful visual effect.

Therefore, the same principle applies to the writing piece, in which the writer categorizes all the things in order. The main task of the writer is to organize or sort things into categories.

To write a great classification essay, every writer should follow the following steps.

Have a look at each point in detail.

1. Choose a Topic

The first step is to brainstorm the topic ideas and write them down on paper. Pick the one that you can easily write about and can logically divide into groups. Select your favorite topic, and check out what information you can easily find online.

2. Choose your Categories

After selecting the essay topic, you will have to think about the categories. Some essay topics have multiple options, so you will need to decide the angle you are approaching. Don’t include several categories that will blur your classification.

3. Conduct Thorough Research

Start the research phase and gather relevant information that you need to include in the essay. Take your time and collect information from reliable and authentic sources. When you cite any resource in your essay, it will be trustworthy.

4. Getting Things in Order

You must consider in which order you place the categories. It helps in your writing, and you can easily make bullet points that you want to discuss for each category.

5. Classification Essay Thesis

The thesis statement is the core part of an essay. It includes the topic and the way how it is categorized. In the thesis statement, you need to explain the criteria you use to classify the objects and ideas.

Moreover, this statement also represents the main purpose of the essay. It should be strong and powerful to make the essay effective.

6. Classification Essay Outline

An outline is a roadmap or plan that displays the main points of your essay. An outline helps to structure your thoughts and ideas. In an essay outline, include all the examples and ideas you will explain in the essay.

The process of writing the classification essay outline is the same as all other essays. With the help of an outline, you will easily create a well-written essay. Therefore, write a compelling outline and then start writing your essay.

A classification essay outline consists of the following sections.

An introduction is the first and one of the essential parts of an essay. Here. you will identify your topic and explain what your essay is all about.

The main purpose of an introductory paragraph is to grab the reader’s attention at the start of the essay. Give a brief description of the topic and indicate why this subject is important to you and how it contributes to the scientific discussion.

Conclude the  essay introduction  with the thesis statement. This statement will be clear and concise, helping the reader know what to expect from the essay.

The body paragraphs classify and describe the selected categories. Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence and describes a separate category. The order of the categories does not matter in the paragraphs.

Use transition words between paragraphs and maintain the logical flow between them. If the body paragraphs are lengthy, then divide them into shorter ones and improve readability.

The  conclusion  is the last and the vital part of the essay. In this section, enlist the type of approaches that you have enlisted in your essay.

The concluding paragraph is no place for new ideas and arguments. Therefore, restate the thesis statement and leave a good impression on the readers.

7. Do the Revisions

It is the last step of writing an essay that you must not skip. Read the entire classification essay and identify any gaps in the logical flow. In that case, you need to submit more information.

Also, make sure to remove all the unnecessary and complex words and phrases. Finally, proofread your writing piece to ensure that it is grammatically correct.

Classification Essay Examples

Classification Essay Samples

Classification Essay about Food

Classification Essay Topics

Good classification essay ideas make the writing phase easy, and your 50% success depends on it. You cannot write a good essay without having the information about the topic.

Here are some good classification essay topics that will make your topic-selection phase easy.

  • Types of sources of alternative energy
  • Students and their study habits
  • Methods of studying for a final examination
  • Women playing on men’s sports teams
  • Types of therapies in modern psychology.
  • Strategies used in political debate
  • The most popular world religions
  • Students’ performance during a class workshop
  • Types of factors for a successful relationship
  • Types of assignments in universities

Therefore, pick the topic from the list mentioned above and write a great essay.

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Classification Essay Tips

To write a flawless classification essay read the tips given below:

  • While writing, the meaning of each word has to be defined. It is important that you make a list of their main characteristics and then discuss them.
  • You need to provide different examples of what you are talking about. Make sure they are all the same so people can compare them.
  • Use compare and contrast techniques while developing this essay.

These were some tips on how to write a classification essay. The best way to do it is to plan what you are going to write. You will need time for that. When you have the time, then the rest of the assignment will be easier.

No matter what topic you choose, what  essay format  is, and which theme you use, remember your teacher’s guidelines in mind. Try to follow their instructions and get better grades.

A good classification essay requires great writing skills, but if you lack them and get expert  essay writer  help, consult  FreeEssayWriter.net .

Our experts provide high-quality essay writing help whenever you need them. So, place your  order  now and get a well-written essay on time without any mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the classification essay different from other essays.

The classification essay is different from a regular essay because it involves more research. Before you start writing, you need to get as much information as possible and then organize it into categories.

This type of assignment is very common, but many students are still struggling with it.

What are different types of classification essays?

There are four types of classification essays:

  • Geographical
  • Chronological
  • Qualitative
  • Quantitative.

What is the classification structure?

The classification structure is the most important way to organize object classes. It organizes objects and tells you about their attributes. The classification structure is also important, so make sure it's good before you do anything else!

John K. (Research, Speech)

John K. is a professional writer and author with many publications to his name. He has a Ph.D. in the field of management sciences, making him an expert on the subject matter. John is highly sought after for his insights and knowledge, and he regularly delivers keynote speeches and conducts workshops on various topics related to writing and publishing. He is also a regular contributor to various online publications.

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Classification Essay

Caleb S.

Classification Essay - Outline, Topics & Writing Tips

Published on: Jan 2, 2022

Last updated on: Jul 21, 2023

Classification Essay

On This Page On This Page

Most high school and college students are often assigned to write a classification essay at some point in their academic life. Teachers assign this task to evaluate the student’s skills to categorize things. It can be a daunting task, but with the help of basic techniques, you can make the writing process easier.

Here are a few tips and guidelines that you can use to structure your classification essays properly. You have to plan your essay and figure out the categories beforehand to complete this assignment easily.

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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 essay’s 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 reader’s 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

ips 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 reader’s 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 AI writing tool .

We provide the best essay writing services for your  college essay , research papers, and other types of academic assignments.

Similarly, highly qualified and experienced writers aim to deliver original and plagiarism-free content within the given deadline. Thus, contact us now and get a classification essay at affordable rates.

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.

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How to Write a Classification Essay: General Writing Tips

15 Dec 2022

Quick Navigation

❓What is a Classification Essay?

📋How to Construct a Classification Essay?

  • Introductory Paragraph

Body Paragraphs

✏️How to Write a Perfect Classification Essay??

Brainstorm Ideas

Create a thesis, pick your categories, organize everything.

❌Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Classification Essay

Thesis Statement Issue

Not editing properly, hard-to-read sentences, unorganized construction.

🗊Classification Essays & Other Types

Many students want to learn how to write a classification essay, and your wishes have been granted at last! We bring you a short article on how you can structure, organize, and perfect this essay writing skill. So, get your pen and paper and start reading!

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Writing essays

What is a Classification Essay?

People may give different definitions of classification, but we want to simplify it for you here. It basically means formal writing that is used to showcase your superior skills in generalization and categorization.

Writing classification involves organizing the elements into different groups and providing examples under each group. The criteria for this are up to you to decide. However, don’t forget to provide good reasoning behind it.

IIf you want to know how to write a good classification essay, then you must sort the sections properly, which must also follow a single principle. Moreover, you must give good examples of what you are trying to convey so that your readers are clear about them.

How to Construct a Classification Essay?

Now that you have a better understanding of what a classification essay definition is, you may want to proceed further with this topic. Having said that, you can begin by learning how to write an outline.

The outline plays the most important role here. That is why we want to stress the outline. Follow the construction below to create an effective classification essay outline. You can add more paragraphs as required.

More than just a spell check

Editors on PapersOwl can edit your paper and give recommendations on how to improve your writing:

  • Punctuation
  • Sentence structure
  • Academic style

Introduction paragraph

As usual, you can start with the essay introduction . Some people prefer to do the intro after they are done with the body. That way, you are clearer about what the readers can expect in the paper. However, there is nothing wrong with getting started with the introduction.

In this section, you have to identify the topic that you are covering, which is the case with most assignments. Explain what you will be categorizing and why you chose these categories for your work.

Once you are done explaining all these things, you can conclude your introduction with a thesis statement. The statement will give a short explanation of each criterion that you have chosen.

To craft a classification essay, you also need to include body section. In the essay body, you can expect to have 3 or more sections. Each paragraph in the classification paper must deal with different issues and explain them properly.

The best way is to begin by introducing the criteria and then go on to discuss the strengths and weaknesses. After that, you can add some examples to explain what you are writing about. When you are doing a classification essay, make sure that the transitions appear smooth.

The final section of the assignment is the conclusion when you learn how to write a classification essay. If you have written assignments like these before, then you know what you have to include here.

In this section, provide a brief summary of all the categories that you have discussed. If the context allows, then you can recommend one category over the other.

Moreover, you can even get  essays help if the context is too difficult for you. But if you have the confidence, then create a nice conclusion by yourself!

How to Write a Perfect Classification Essay?

Students can perfect their school papers in many ways, and we are going to show you some tips over here! But before you proceed, know that you can’t begin with the first draft in this case. You need to have a proper plan of action for such assignments.

Here are some tips that you should remember to do a classification essay:

Generally, your college professor will help you to choose from some available topics. If not, you have to brainstorm with your group members or by yourself for that. Develop your ideas around a group of things that can be divided and explained.

Depending on the word count, come up with 3 to 5 categories to discuss. If you take on more than you can chew, you won’t be able to finish the paper. In case of emergency, you can ask a  custom essay writing service to get it done for you!

Don’t forget to use the contrast technique when you are writing about those categories. Compare them with one another and present them nicely in an academic paper. This is also the stage where you should learn how to write a classification essay outline because it’s going to set the stage.

The thesis statement is going to be a part of the classification essay introduction. Even though it is a short sentence, it will contribute by  introducing the evidence in your essay . In fact, if you can do this part early on, it will help you keep track of the topic.

You can begin by informing the reader what you are categorizing, listing them one by one, and explaining how you have classified them in the assignment. In fact, the thesis statement can also identify the actual purpose of classifying the categories.

After you have chosen the topic that you want to talk about, think about the categories for the paper. Since you may find that some categories or types have too many options, college students have to really think about which angle to focus on.

Make a draft on a piece of paper and cross out the ones you can’t talk about. It does help to choose topics that are easier for you to do. Note down important points, ideas, and types, and include them in the final paper!

When  writing your papers , you must ensure that the outline is appropriate and the sections are well organized. To help you with the order, you can use bullet points to note down what you want to discuss.

You can even refer back to the issues you have discussed in the passage. This will help you to compare the content of the paper. Even the discussion under each category must be in order so that the sentences make sense.

Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Classification Essay

By now, you have figured out how to construct the outline and some tips to do the paper, and we can move on to the next process. People often mistake when figuring out how to start a classification essay and how to conclude a classification essay .

So, we have shared some common mistakes in this section and how you can successfully avoid them!

Many people may end up crafting a vague thesis statement due to tight deadlines or negligence. To come up with a strong thesis, make sure to include why aspect. When you have a proper argument, it sounds more convincing!

When you are under a lot of pressure, it is easy to miss important processes that need to be completed. One of those steps is editing. Some people edit as they go, while others do it all at the end. But you have to choose the system that is suitable for you.

Yes, you have some great ideas on the topic. But if you can’t express them properly, your professor won’t be able to understand them. There is no doubt that your professor is highly educated. But try to create sentences that are understandable, so he can process them.

The last mistake to avoid is creating a classification assignment is about maintaining a good structure. If your outline is not up-to-mark, then you may not get a good grade on that paper. If you want to  write essays for money , then you must get this skill polished!

The best approach is to create a draft plan and get all the important ideas jotted down. Then, transfer that to the Word file after reviewing the layout.

Classification Essays & Other Types

You may want to study a bit about the different types of passages, which are not limited to the following:

  • Descriptive

In a  diagnostic essay , the topic is already known, and it diagnoses your writing ability in that given topic. Since you will have limited time to finish this paper, you won’t have a chance to use your brain!

On the other hand, a DBQ (Document Based Questions) paper determines students' analytical and comprehension skills.  Writing a DBQ essay may be used to let them think outside the box, which is an important life skill.

You will come across many types of assignments during your academic life. So, it does help to get familiar with some of them in advance! In fact, learn as much as you can to boost your confidence!

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How to Write a Classification Essay

how do you start a classification essay

Writing a classification essay is usually required when learning various concepts in high school and colleges. These types of essays require creating an analogy between two items, group, or events. In the essay, the writer should prove that these concepts should be classified in such and such way or not.

For example: should rap music be considered as a musical genre or a form of popular culture?

Let us now define what we mean by a classification essay.

What Is a Classification Essay?

A classification essay is a type of essay that requires organizing or classifying concepts into different groups or categories.

There are many ways to write, organize, and express the ideas if you want to classify items. Sometimes it is not required at all. When writing about something new it usually necessary to compare, show similarities and research various aspects related to given topic.

When you do research, it is better to collect and compile facts and information from various sources.

Another example: Is James Bond a hero or a villain?

James Bond is a character in Ian Fleming’s eponymous series of spy novels. The last novel was written in 2008; since then the series has been continued in short stories. The official James Bond series has produced twenty-three full-length films since 1962, with a twenty-fourth due in 2012.

What Is a Classification and Division Essay?

A classification and division essay is a type of essay that requires you to take something and classify it into two or more groups.

Classification Essay Outline Example

Below is a basis classification essay outline example.

  • Classification Introduction – (classification keywords, reasons for classification)
  • Introduce concepts – (concept 1 features and qualities, concept 2 features and qualities, concept 3 features and qualities….)
  • Classification Conclusion – (concept 1 vs. concept 2, reasons for classification)

How to Write a Classification Essay In 6 Steps

The process of writing a good classification essay involves 6 steps listed below:

  • Brainstorming Ideas.
  • Formulate Thesis Statement.
  • Plan the Process.
  • Carry out extensive research.
  • Write the paper.
  • Revision: Proofread and edit your paper.

Now, let us break down each step and see what it entails:

Step 1: Brainstorming Ideas.

Your first step in writing a classification essay is to brainstorm for ideas. You can do this by yourself or with a group of people that you trust. Start writing down all the research topics which you can write about . If you are working on your own, take an hour or two and jot down as many ideas as possible. Write down anything that comes to mind without censoring yourself. It is much easier to evaluate the ideas when you have written them all down in a list.

You can also take help from word association lists to generate essay ideas. This is where you write the first thing that comes into your head and see what words it brings up in your memory. Some random words commonly used as prompts are grapefruit, mud, leather boots, etc.

Your brainstorming list should contain at least five topics or more that you feel like writing an essay about.

If there is nothing that appeals to you among the ideas, choose another session and try again until you succeed.

Step 2: Formulate Thesis Statement.

Once you have your list of interesting essay topics, the next step is to narrow down and choose one topic from the list. Many students choose a topic and then try coming up with a thesis statement. This can be challenging as it involves trying to create something out of nothing which takes time and effort. A much better strategy is to come up with your thesis first before selecting a topic as this will help in saving valuable time. Simply pick any topic from the list and look at its general theme or main idea rather than looking at small details such as specific examples or situations. Then formulate a thesis statement that sums up what you plan to write about; for example, a classification is a useful tool for understanding particular phenomena, especially when the chosen phenomenon has several components.

Here you can see that the main idea of the chosen topic is to explain what classification means and how it works in relation to various elements that come under one general group or another. The thesis statement sums up this idea and states it in a concise sentence which can serve as an outline for your essay .

Step 3: Plan the Process.

Once you have selected an essay topic and written down its thesis statement , it is time to plan out your essay by creating an outline based on your ideas and research material. Choose any word processing program such as MS Word or MS Works for writing your essay ; these programs offer great formatting options when it comes to creating an essay outline .

  • Main Heading : This is the main heading that will go across the top of your essay. You should label each section according to its content so that you can easily locate it. For example, if the topic of your paper is ‘Trampolines’, possible section headings could be History or How It Began, Physical Aspects or Structure, Types of Trampoline, etc.
  • Subheadings : Ideally speaking, every other heading within a classification essay should be a subheading which helps in breaking down the larger ideas into smaller chunks and making it easier for readers to grasp what you are trying to say. You can either use descending numbers or alphabets to mark the subheadings.
  • Content : In this section, you can lay out your argument or thesis statement in a well-structured manner by getting straight to the point and talking about each of your main ideas followed by its relevant supporting material. It is also common for people to have specific sections within their content that deal with different aspects or details of their chosen idea or topic, which they then set up accordingly according to the given outline format. The more structured your essay appears, the better it will be for your reader.
  • Conclusion : A classification essay conclusion should summarize what you have already said in your essay and make a point of summarizing the overall topic addressed by the paper. Here is an example- Trampolines are a wonderful source of recreation and entertainment that can easily be made at home with minimal expenses and effort due to their simple design and structure that require only basic materials such as hardwood, springs, cloth, etc. The main idea behind this conclusion is to briefly summarize what you already discussed about trampolines in terms of their history or how they began, different types, etc., while also bringing forth the key points that are most relevant to their simple construction which makes them easy to build but at the same time more efficient than many other forms of recreational equipment.

As this outline demonstrates, it is important to divide your paper into logical sections that deal with different elements or aspects of the main idea. Having proper subheadings can make your essay appear more structured and readable which in turn makes it easier for readers to follow what you are trying to say. Finally, always remember to summarize or conclude your argument by stating its most relevant points along with an explanation about why these points are most relevant under the given circumstances. This will give you a chance to focus on the main ideas mentioned above rather than getting distracted by smaller details that may not be as relevant as you originally thought they would be. Proper classification essay structure allows you to present your topic effectively without going overboard on its details, while also giving you a chance to highlight the most significant aspects of your topic.

Writing an outline for a classification essay is a good way to get yourself started on your paper by coming up with logical categories through which you can later organize and present your ideas. It is best if you use this structure from the very beginning rather than trying to shift things around after writing has been completed. This will help in making it easier for you to complete your assignment within the given timeframe without forgetting or missing out on any important points or elements that might make your argument sound incomplete.

Step 4: Carry our extensive research.

For an in-depth analysis and proper understanding, you will need to carry out extensive research on your topic. Make sure that all the facts and information presented in your essay are accurate and verifiable through credible sources such as journals or articles related to your chosen field of study.

Step 5: Write your paper.

It is common for people who have never written anything like this before to feel overwhelmed when it comes to writing a complete paper from scratch. As such, it often makes sense to create a rough draft which you can then edit at a later point in time. A good way to start with something like this is by coming up with an outline that allows you to list down all the points that you want or need to cover in your paper. Once you have a list, you need to go through and fill in all the necessary details so that your main points do not get lost amidst the numerous details and examples mentioned in each point.

Step 6: Revision: Proofread and edit your paper.

To make sure that your arguments are accurate and easy to understand. You will need to proofread and edit the essay with finesse at least two or three times before submitting them. This will help in removing any grammatical errors or typos while ensuring that what you wanted to say is properly communicated with your readers without any confusion or misunderstandings arising from anything said by you.

Once everything is perfect in terms of content, structure, and wording, submit your paper before the assigned deadline.

Carrying out these steps will help in making sure that your classification essay is properly structured and researched so that you can carry out an effective analysis about how well or badly constructed a certain type of recreational equipment or building might be.

Looking for more information on this classification paper writing? click here to ask a question and get answers from professionals .

How to Structure Your Classification Essay With Examples

The structure of a classification essay can be organized in 3 parts:

  • Introduction to the topic
  • Main body part
  • Conclusion.

Introduction

The introduction should contain a thesis or a statement which depicts what you are going to write about. It should also include a summary of two concepts, which will be compared in the body part of the paper later on. In this paragraph usually goes a background information, which provides readers with general background knowledge about the topic.

For example: Let us compare James Bond, a character in Ian Fleming’s spy novels and Agent 007, played by different actors in the official film series produced by EON Productions.

Main body essay body paragraphs

The main essay body paragraphs is where you discuss similarities and differences of these two concepts. When writing this section it is important to include at least two points for similarities and two points for differences.

The final parts of the essay are conclusion , where you say what is your point of view, summarize the key points of the paper, etc. You can also offer some advice or your thought about classifying these concepts together.

For example: We conclude our essay by saying that Ian Fleming’s character of James Bond, the British spy created in 1953, together with all his incarnations on the silver screen are definitely more of a fantasy than reality. Agent 007 is not worthy of being called hero or villain since he cannot be classified unambiguously.

This is how you structure a classification essay if you want to earn a better grade.

4 General Tips for How to Write a Classification Essay

To write a good classification essay paper, these are some general tips to follow when writing your classification essay:

  • Make sure to have a clear thesis statement that answers the question you are attempting to answer or prove in your classification essay. It is okay if you wish to argue for a position, but it must be a debate worthy claim.
  • If there are multiple factors used in your classification paper, make sure they are clearly delineated in separate sections or categories.
  • Clearly define the terms that might be important but also easily misunderstood within your classification paper. You should not assume that everyone in your audience is well-versed in the definitions of terms.
  • Make sure to stay on track and cover all parts of your classification paper; otherwise, you risk not getting a good grade for this assignment. It is also important to address each part of your paper so that you can fully explain your position.

In conclusion, writing a good classification essay is something that not everyone can do easily. While it might seem like an easy assignment to complete, there are many important factors that go into determining the final grade. Make sure to follow these tips when working on your own classification essay.

Classification Essay Examples

Here are some classification essay examples that you can read to understand the process of writing your own classification papers for school.

Classification Essay Example 1: Different types of discrimination

There are many different types of discrimination in the world today, but one that has been a hot topic of debate is discrimination against homosexuals. Many people feel that they must keep their sexual orientation to themselves because they fear being looked down upon by others for their preference in gender when sleeping with someone. However, there are also many people who feel that everyone should be able to love whoever they choose and it is wrong for someone to tell them what they can and cannot do.

One of the most well-known pieces of literature dealing with discrimination against homosexuals is the tragic play “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare. In this work, it is clear that Romeo Montague is heterosexual while Juliet Capulet is a homosexual. When the two meet after attending a party, they fall in love almost instantly and must deal with many problems since their families are feuding rivals. Throughout the play, there are references to homosexuality being looked down upon, even by some characters who are homosexuals themselves, which makes them feel that they are not accepted for who they are.

Another example of discrimination against homosexuals can be found in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. In this story, there is an annual tradition where people gather on July 4th to draw lots out of a box. The last name drawn out will be stoned to death as punishment for committing some horrible crime. This year when the box is opened, the piece of paper that falls out has the name “Jackson” written on it instead of a family’s last name.

The townspeople all look at Mrs. Jackson and accuse her of committing adultery to get pregnant so someone else could draw her name out of the box. They insist that she must be stoned to death for her crime, but Mr. Jackson comes forward and insists that he made love to his wife right before she got pregnant so they would have a child together. Even though it is apparent that Mr. Jackson was telling the truth, Mrs. Jackson still gets stoned to death because people come forward and claim that they saw them commit adultery many times in public places like movie theaters and restaurants, which makes everyone feel that they must be guilty of something.

While these two works are very different, they both describe discrimination against homosexuals in some way. Even though it is clear that it is wrong to discriminate against anyone based on their sexual orientation, there are still many people who feel this way and will judge others without considering the facts. Discrimination like this has existed for centuries and will likely continue to exist far into the future unless people realize how hurtful certain beliefs can be.

Classification Essay Example 2: The Dog as a Domestic Animal

Below is another example of a classification essay:

Classification Essay Example: The Dog as a Domestic Animal

There is no such thing as an “ordinary” dog. Each and every breed has its own unique characteristics. Even between breeds, there are so many different breeds of dogs to choose from that picking the perfect pooch can be very difficult. It all depends on what you want your dog to do for you and how much time and money you can afford to spend. To help answer questions like “What kind of pet should I get?”, we will need to look at them one-by-one and decide which type would suit us best.

This does not mean we should only choose the most popular types; we must also consider who we are (do we have children? other pets? an active lifestyle?). Then, we should match the dog’s needs and personality to our own preferences. Let’s take a look at the different types of dogs and discover which breed might be best for us.

The first major “type” is the sporting dogs. These include breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Spaniels, Beagles, Pointers and Setters. Sporting dogs are typically good-natured, friendly and intelligent; however they do require extensive exercise (think lots of off-leash walks). If you’re looking for a family pet that will play with your kids as much as it plays with you – this is it!

Next we have the herding dogs: Collies (Lassie), Shetland Sheepdogs (Bash), Australian Shepherds (Nanook) and Corgis. These breeds are very intelligent, loyal and very good with children. If you want a dog that can “herd” you through your daily routine – this is it!

Thirdly we have the hunters: Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Weimaraners. These dogs tend to be highly energetic and often require hours of exercise each day; however they can make excellent pets if their hunting instincts are not too strong (yes, some Weimaraners will actually chase cats). If you like spending time outdoors hiking or camping – this is definitely the type for you!

Also popular as family pets are the guard dogs such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and German Shepherds. These dogs are extremely loyal to their owners, but should be well-trained before being allowed around children or other pets. If you need a dog to protect your family or your possessions – this is definitely the type for you!

Finally we have the working dogs: Siberian Huskies (Nanook), Alaskan Malamutes (Kodiak), Saint Bernards (Samson) and Komondors (Bash). These breeds were specifically bred for cold climates; therefore they require regular exercise in order to maintain good health. They are very intelligent and strong yet patient with children – if you want a big dog that will help you haul firewood or pull sleds through the snow – this is it!

There are many other types of dogs not included in the list above, but these are by far the most popular. One thing to remember when choosing a dog is that you should love it unconditionally – no matter whether it’s big or small, purebred or mixed-breed, furry or hairless. If you can handle the responsibility and care for your pooch well enough to make him/her happy, then you’ve found your perfect pet!

Good classification essay topics and ideas

Here are some classification essay topics, classification and division essay topics and ideas to write about:

  • Types of clothes.
  • Grouping things by shape.
  • Classes of animals.
  • People or social groups – income group, ethnic group, native country, generation, city people as opposed to those who live in the country.
  • Professions – teachers and professors, white collar professions, blue collar professions.
  • Different types of jobs – jobs you can do with a college degree or high school diploma.
  • Classification essay topics that are subtopics of subtopics, or different classifications – houses can be classified by their architecture or style, and within different types of architecture there are many styles.
  • Government classification essay topics – the different types of government in world history.
  • Classification essay topics on things that are organized in a hierarchy – countries, states and provinces.
  • Different types of scientific classifications – grouping plants and animals by their kingdom, phylum, etc.
  • Events in history – wars. Classification of wars by the types of weapons used, for example, or by the number of people who died.
  • Systems of government – democracy, republic, monarchy.
  • Ancient cultures.
  • Different ways that things are organized.
  • Different types of rocks and minerals.
  • People’s beliefs – religious beliefs, political beliefs, belief about the origin of the universe, etc.
  • Different types of games and sports – some people like to play American football, while others play soccer.
  • Various types of food – there are many types of cuisine in the world.
  • Different types of music – there are many types of music, and there are even subtypes within some genres.
  • Types of literature – some people prefer to read fantasy, others enjoy reading mysteries.
  • Different types of consumer products available – different types of cars, for example.
  • Methods of classification essay topics – how you can classify things, and what some of the main methods are.
  • Different types of consumer products purchased by the average person – food, appliances.
  • The different ways that scientific discoveries are classified.
  • Names of individual insects .
  • Different types of sandwiches – examples include the BLT, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Monte Cristo, etc.
  • Classification essay topics on different types of insects – what are the different kinds?
  • Classification and division essay topics on types of houses.
  • Different kinds of cities.
  • Different types of clothing.

Visit classification essay topics page for comprehensive list of classification and division essay topics that will help you write a good classification and division essay.

References:

  • Classification Essay – Del Mar College
  • division-classification-essay.pdf – Austin Peay State University
  • Classification Essay – Dallas Baptist University
  • Classification – Writing Lab – Missouri State University
  • TCC Writing Center: Classification and Division Guidelines
  • Classification and Division Essay Topics & Ideas

How to Write a Classification Essay

High school and college students alike are likely to encounter classification essays at some stage in their education. They are commonly assigned in order to help tutors evaluate a student’s ability to categorize data based on certain properties. It can seem like a daunting prospect if you have never approached this type of assignment, but once you learn how to write a classification essay you will come to realize that it really isn’t so bad after all.

Let’s take a look at some of the tips and tricks you can use to properly structure a classification essay.

What is a Classification Essay

If you are going to learn how to write a classification essay, then you will first need to understand what it actually is! The easiest way to explain a classification essay is that it is a formal piece of writing designed to showcase your skills in categorizing and generalization.

You will be required to organize things into groups and offer up examples that fit into each. It is up to you to decide on the criteria for classification, but you must be able to explain your reasoning.

How to Structure Your Classification Essay

One of the first things to think about when learning how to write a classification essay is the structure. For the purpose of this guide we will go with the popular ‘five paragraphs’ method, but when you come to actually write your assignment you can add in additional paragraphs as appropriate.

  • Introductory Paragraph – As with any type of essay, your starting point is the introduction. You will want to clearly identify your subject, so explain what you are going to be categorizing. It is also a good idea to offer readers an explanation of the purpose of your essay. Why are you categorizing these items? Finally, you will want to close your introduction with your thesis statement. This will identify your groups and perhaps offer a brief explanation of the criteria for each of them.
  • Body Paragraphs – The body of your essay will be 3 or more paragraphs. Each paragraph should deal with a different category. Start by explaining the criteria for each of them and perhaps discuss the strengths or weaknesses. You should also offer relevant examples. Depending on the length of your paragraphs you may wish to break them down into shorter ones. This is fine, but you will need to make sure you have clear transitions when moving to a new category.
  • Conclusion – The final paragraph is where you will pull together the various categories that you have examined in the body of your classification essay. It is usual to offer a brief summary on each of them. Depending on the subject matter, you may also decide to recommend the particular one over the others, but if you do so make sure you emphasize why you have come to that conclusion.

Structure Classification Essay

Planning How to Write a Classification Essay

Now that you have a grasp of how your essay is going to be structured, it is time to sit down and plan how to write a classification essay. This is not the type of assignment where you can just sit down and start writing a first draft without a clear plan of action.

There is some initial planning that has to be done in order to produce a coherent classification essay. Here are a few of the essential planning steps you will need to consider:

Brainstorming Ideas

If you haven’t been allocated a topic then your first step is going to be to brainstorm a few potential ideas. You need to settle on a group of people, things or ideas that can be logically divided up and brought together into groups. You will want to come up with something that has definite categories to allow for comparison, but you will also want to avoid topics with too many categories.

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for 3 to 5 categories depending on the word count requirement of your assignment. This would be enough to make comparisons, but not so many that you can’t go into depth with your criteria for classification.

Choosing Your Categories

Once you have your topic chosen, you will need to think about what categories they will be split into. Some topics may have multiple options, so you will need to decide which angle you are approaching it from.

For example, if it is about a group of people, would you sort them by age, appearance, job or something else entirely. Each of your categories should have a single basis of classification.

Getting Things in Order

It is important to consider which order you are going to place the categories in when it comes to discussing them. It can be helpful to make bullet point notes on points you wish to discuss for each category as this may highlight similarities which will help you to write linking sentences and transitions to make your essay flow smoothly.

It is good to refer back to previously discussed paragraphs for comparison, so it makes sense to order categories in a way that best suits this approach. Within each discussion itself you will also want to order your points appropriately. A common choice is to go from most important to least important or vice versa.

Develop a Thesis

Your thesis is going to form part of your introductory paragraph and it will shape the entire approach of your essay. It is important to develop this at an early stage as it can help keep your writing on track. Start off by stating what you are dividing into classes, list the different categories and explain what properties or criteria are used to classify them.

Your thesis may also explain the purpose of classifying these items or ideas. Are you going to determine if one group is superior? Start with a basic thesis statement to guide you, but be aware that you may have to refine it as your essay begins to take shape.

Only once you have gone through these initial pre-planning steps are you ready to crack on with actually writing your classification essay. Don’t expect to knock it out in one sitting, you will likely need several drafts to get it right and your plans may change slightly along the way.

General Tips for How to Write a Classification Essay

So, now that you have the structure down and have come up with a plan of how to approach your essay it is time to get started. Here are a few quick tips that will also help with how to write a classification essay.

  • Make sure you describe or define each of your categories. Start by making a list of their main characteristics and then discuss them.
  • You will need to provide several illustrative examples. Look for examples which offer a typical representation of the class. Have an equal number of examples in each of them.
  • Use the comparison and contrast technique you will have developed in other essay formats to point out the various similarities or differences between each of your categories.

These are just a few guidelines to help you get started with how to write a classification essay. The key to succeeding with this type of assignment certainly comes down to preparation. Spend time planning your essay and figuring out your categories and you will find that the rest of the assignment falls into place much more easily.

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how do you start a classification essay

Classification Essay Writing - All You Need to Know

A college is a place where you learn a ton of new things, including the knowledge you won't have to apply in any area of your life at any given point whatsoever. But, as these things go, you have to write a lot of papers and conduct an unmeasurable amount of research. One of the things you sometimes have to do in your class is writing a classification essay. It sounds pretty simple, and when you get into it, classification essay writing is not as hard as one could have imagined. It all comes down to - you guessed it right - classification. The main secret of "how to write classification essay" dilemma is to pick a topic you understand. There are a lot of possible classification essay ideas, so choose the one you think is the easiest for you to comprehend. More so, it will be good if you have a theme that can be easily researched. There is no point in making it harder!

It is also advisable to read up on the topic so that you can express your thoughts more naturally. You don't want your essay to seem generic as if you copied everything from the book. The more you know about your subject, the easier it will be for your thoughts flow when you get to writing. But first, let us tell you more about how to write a good classification essay.

What is a Classification Essay?

Before starting on your writing, you need to make sure that you understand the classification essay definition properly. It's not a paper when you just have to list some things and divide them into categories. You have to state your thesis, reasoning, describe every class and explain your train of thought. It's a significant amount of work, and half of it isn't even writing itself. You have to research as much information as you can. Don't shy away from making notes and using highlighters. The classification essay is about processing a great deal of data, analyzing and putting it into order. So if you are really serious about classification essay writing, don't waste any time and get to it right away!

How to Start a Classification Essay

Now that all the research is done, and you have all your notes in front of you, it's time to start typing. It's not uncommon for a student to encounter a thing known as the "writer's block." It is like you are standing in front of a brick wall on the road to academic success. And thus, you simply can't and don't know how to start a classification essay. There are a lot of ways to find your inspiration again: watch a good movie, read your favorite book, listen to some music, get a rest! Eventually, those first words will come to you, and that's when you'll have to write them down in order not to forget. You can also fight the "writer's block" with sheer determination by forcing yourself just to jot down everything that floats in your head. At some point, you'll stumble upon a good catchphrase or a hook sentence, and begin writing!

Speaking of hook sentences, using those is a perfect way of capturing your readers' attention right at the very start. Most people assess the whole essay based on the 1st paragraph. Hence, it has to be interesting and intriguing and encourage people to read further. The key here is to compose your thesis statement for a classification essay in a way that isn't generic, but fascinating. Classification essay thesis is basically a sentence that includes the topic and the way it's classified.

A good, smart, and, in most cases, necessary thing to do is create a classification essay outline. By writing that up, you'll put all your notes in one place and structure the whole thing in a way that'd make it easier for you to do it! Here how a standard classification essay outline looks.

  • The introduction
  • Essential background data to provide the reader with an idea of what you're writing about.
  • Hook sentences to pose intriguing questions
  • Your classification essay thesis statement. Here, you should also tell about the goal of your classification principle.
  • The body paragraphs
  • First paragraph
  • Topic sentence - name of the first category.
  • General description - explain what characteristics this category possess.
  • Specific examples.
  • Second paragraph
  • Second topic sentence.
  • General description.
  • Third paragraph
  • Third topic sentence.
  • Overall summary of all the categories.
  • Your opinion, and the results of your analysis.

how do you start a classification essay

Every essay writing dilemma can be solved right now!

Classification Essay Structure

Classification essay structure is like a simple puzzle that can be easily solved with enough patience and determination. We've already gone over the outline so that it shouldn't be very difficult for you to catch the wave and start writing. If you find yourself wondering how to write an introduction for a classification essay, look at all the notes you took while conducting the research. Pick all the "starting points." Those are the sentences with information about the background for your essay. To put it in even simpler terms, it's a problem that you investigate and solve. So gather that info and make a pretty shape out of it - the one that will look appealing and worth reading.

Now, comes the classification essay conclusion. It would seem that this part is the easiest because all the work is already done. But, do not let yourself relax too early. The interesting thing is that a lot of students can't figure out how to write a conclusion for a classification essay. Don't be scared, though! Some people give up too easily, but you're not one of them! The secret to writing a good classification essay conclusion is not only summarizing everything about the categories you proposed. It is also about giving your own opinion based on the classifications you've described. Try to be objective and approach this part with a clear head. You need to provide your unbiased opinion regarding your classification essay thesis statement. People will for sure form their own view, but they will also be interested in what the author of the classification essay thinks about the topic they chose.

Good Classification Essay Topics

Last but not the least, we need a good classification essay topic. We've already talked about the algorithm of choosing a topic at the beginning, so allow us to demonstrate a few good ones from our professional classification essay writers.

  • The most popular devices students use nowadays.
  • Colors and their meaning in the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh.
  • The evolution of rock-music types.
  • Alternative fuels.
  • Common methods students use to prepare for exams.

That's about it. Now, you should be ready to write an excellent classification essay that will surely get you an A from even the strictest professor. And remember that if it all seems way too complex and unnecessarily time-consuming, you can always get some professional help from our writing service. Our experts from " write my essay websites " will deliver your paper on time and with all proper styling and formatting in place!

Good luck with your classification essay, and contact us if it all gets too much!

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11.1: The Purpose of Classification in Writing

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  • Page ID 6290

  • Amber Kinonen, Jennifer McCann, Todd McCann, & Erica Mead
  • Bay College Library

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.

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How to Write an Essay: A+ Tips

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Are you curious about how to write an essay ? Or how to get an A on an essay? If so, this post is for you.

If you hate writing essays, we totally get it. 

Does your stomach drop every time you hear the words “writing assignment”? Whether you’re facing a high school assignment or a college paper, the task of writing an essay can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Where do you even start? And how on earth are you going to hit that lofty word count? If you’re worried about the challenges of writing an essay, you’re not alone. Plenty of students find themselves in the same predicament as you at one point or another in school. 

However, writing an essay doesn’t have to be a challenging uphill battle. In fact, once you understand how to write an essay and how to take advantage of an outline, the paper will practically write itself for you! Don’t worry; there is a method to the madness. 

What Are the 5 Parts of an Essay?

Before you start learning how to write an essay , know that the five key parts of an essay are:

  • The introduction
  • 1st body paragraph
  • 2nd body paragraph
  • 3rd body paragraph

Depending on the type of essay you are writing, you may have more body paragraphs added in there as well. This varies, though. 

Below, we’ll give you some tips on how to write an essay perfectly and accurately each and every time. However, if you’re still struggling, you may want to sign up for writing lessons with a private tutor. 

You’ll also want to acquaint yourself with the basics, like fundamental English grammar , as you’ll see in the video below:

How Do I Start Writing an Essay?

To help you navigate the art of writing an essay, we’ve provided a guide with steps to  write an essay . By following these six easy steps, you’ll be well on your way to nailing your paper without pulling an all-nighter or stressing for days!

1. Tips for Researching

You may be wondering how to begin an essay. Before you sit down at your computer to begin typing up your essay, you must first choose a topic to tackle. Whatever you plan to write about, it is best to do your research before you start writing your essay.

While you can certainly do supplemental research as you begin writing, doing the bulk of the research beforehand will help you have a clearer picture of the topic. If your essay requires you to quote outside sources, gather books or links to reputable websites (hint: not Wikipedia) that you will need in order to complete the assignment.

Research your subject thoroughly, so you feel confident asserting your opinions. While you’re researching, think about the purpose of your essay.

Are you trying to persuade or convince the audience of something? Having an idea of what you want to accomplish in your essay will help drive your research.

Give yourself plenty of time to gather information, and get started well before your essay is due. You can never have too much research! After all, the more you understand the topic, the easier you will find it to begin organizing your thoughts.

2. Choosing Your Thesis

Now that you are an expert on your subject, what are you interested in writing about? In other words, what is your thesis? The thesis of your essay is a statement of a claim that lets your reader know what your essay is about. Think of your thesis statement as the topic sentence for your whole essay. But more than just a topic, it gives your audience an idea of your stance. It’s a declarative sentence that you will refer back to throughout your paper.

Your teacher may have provided some writing prompts as examples, or they may have asked you to create your own thesis. If you’re stuck coming up with your own thesis, asking a question about your subject is a great way to find something that interests you.

For example, if you’re writing an essay about Shakespeare’s Hamlet, you might ask: Is Hamlet really insane or is he pretending? Come up with a theory that answers your question, and be sure that you can find evidence that supports your claim. Once you’ve done this, congratulations, you’ve come up with your thesis statement!

3. How to Write a Hook for an Essay

The hook is an essential part of an essay. You’ll use it in your introduction, but your introduction shouldn’t just be your hook – which is why we’ve included information on how to write a good one here. 

A good hook will grab your reader’s attention and give them a reason to invest the time in reading your writing. Your title is your first hook, but really, you want to find a way to form an emotional connection with your readers.

You might make a surprising statement, leave your reader with questions, or invite them to keep reading. Avoid simply describing what your essay is about – that’s boring! The goal here is to captivate your audience’s attention. 

4. How to Write an Essay Outline

Creating an outline is easily one of the most important steps when it comes to understanding how to write an essay . Before you start writing, make an outline so that you have a plan to guide your work. As you start outlining, keep in mind the specifics of the assignment you have been given. If you were assigned a five paragraph essay, make an outline for an essay with one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one final conclusion paragraph. For longer assignments, plan to add more paragraphs or separate sections to your essay.

If you’re wondering how to write an essay outline , start with your research and refer back to your thesis statement. This sentence belongs at the end of your introductory paragraph. Each paragraph that follows should present a piece of evidence supporting your thesis statement.

For example, if you are writing a persuasive five paragraph essay arguing that pizza is the greatest food of all time, you could write one body paragraph on the excellence of cheese, the next body paragraph about the perfection of crust, and the third body paragraph about the importance of sauce.

To make it easier on yourself, identify exactly what you want to portray in each paragraph, and you will begin to see your essay come to life.

5. Writing Body Paragraphs

Many students think that they need to write the perfect introductory paragraph before they can get started on an essay, so they end up wasting a lot of time staring at a blank screen. Don’t get caught up in this trap!

Dive right into your writing by inserting your thesis statement in place of your first paragraph, write the first body paragraph of your essay, and keep on going! It’s ok to jump around and leave gaps that you return to later to flush out. This way, y ou won’t feel the same pressure to start with perfection.

Plus, often by the time you have written the body paragraphs of your essay, you have a better sense of what you are really trying to say, which makes writing a great intro even easier.

Be sure to give your paragraphs structure , so your writing is clear and stays on topic. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. Next, give an example, usually a quote from your text or outside source, which supports your topic sentence. Explain what this example means, clarifying any ambiguous or difficult terms that your source may have used.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, relate the example you just shared back to your thesis, so your reader understands how this example relates to the broader topic of your essay. Remember, everything you write should circle back to the thesis statement in some way.

6. How to Write an Essay Introduction

Once you have written the body of your essay, it’s time to take a step back and think about your introduction and conclusion paragraphs. For your introduction, you will want to start with a sentence that draws your reader in and makes them want to know more about what you have to say. A bold question, interesting statistic, or a famous quotation can make for a great compelling opening statement.

Again, come back to that hook you wrote earlier! The hook will help you launch your introduction off the right way. 

Remember, you can always write the introduction first if you want  – if it makes more sense for you to go in order as you work, do that! However, for many writers, learning how to write an essay is easier if you start with the bulk or “meat” of the essay first – the body paragraphs – and do the intro and conclusion next. 

7. How to Write an Essay Conclusion

Next up  – how to write a conclusion for an essay .

Your introductory paragraph should first grab your reader’s attention, then give them a broad overview of your topic, leading to your thesis statement. On the other hand, your conclusion paragraph should do just the opposite. 

Start with a reiteration of your thesis, move to a summary of what you have covered in your essay, and end with a general statement indicating the significance of your topic in the broader world in general. 

Go out with a bang! Just because you’re wrapping up your essay in your conclusion doesn’t mean you have to simply repeat everything you already discussed. End on a powerful note to leave your audience with a lasting impression.

Now that you’ve completed your essay, you can turn it in, right? Not so fast! Revising and editing your paper is a major step in our guide on how to write the perfect essay . After all, the last thing you want to do is send in a paper riddled with typos and grammatical errors. 

Make it a goal to finish writing the bulk of your paper at least one day before it is due. Set your paper aside for a day before revising, so you can look over your work with fresh eyes.

Print a copy of your essay and read it aloud, highlighting or making marks on any sentences, words , or phrases that don’t seem quite right.

Often, you can hear awkward phrasing, overused words, and other mistakes much more easily than you see them when you are reading silently. You will also be able to hear if you’ve written something that just doesn’t make sense. Or if you have a friend, classmate, or private tutor who is willing to read your essay, let them give it a once over to catch any lingering errors. 

Now that you’ve identified the problems in your essay, it’s time to fix them. Smooth out awkward or rough sentences , so they flow better when read aloud. Use a thesaurus to replace repeated words with synonyms as needed, but don’t overuse big words just to sound “smart.”

The best essays rely on clear, concise language that gets your point across simply. If you are not sure if you have used a word correctly, look it up in the dictionary. Take the time to check your spelling and punctuation. Revising and polishing your work can take your grade from a B or a C to an A+. 

How to Write an Essay: More Tips for Success

Here are a few more tips for how to write an essay – without any stress.

1. Make Sure You’re Writing the Right Type of Essay

Make sure you’re considering your audience and the assignment when you start writing. Essays generally fall into a few main categories . Check out the categories and click the links for tutorials that are more specifically focused on those individual kinds of essays to make sure your essay outline is appropriate:

  • How to Write an Informative Essay
  • Writing an Expository Essay
  • How to Write an Argumentative Essay
  • Writing a Persuasive Essay
  • How to Write an Analytical Essay  
  • Writing a Narrative Essay
  • How to Write a Descriptive Essay 

2. Start Early

Don’t wait until the night before your essay is due to start on your project! Starting earlier will not only help you cut down on your anxiety but will also give you time to develop your ideas more fully.

Starting early will also afford you the luxury of being able to put the essay aside for a while – and then coming back to revisit it later. This will give you a fresh eye to make sure you’ve caught any mistakes and that your message is clear enough.

3. Don’t Get Distracted

Don’t lose sight of the main purpose of the task or the question as you write. It’s easy for an essay to turn into a jumbled, rambling mess – keep your argument or question in front of you as you write and return to it often. 

4. Integrate Evidence Carefully

If you’re writing an essay that requires outside sources, introduce paraphrases and quotations with introductory phrases. Explain them well. Don’t just throw a theme in there!

How to Write a Good Essay: Follow These Tips!

If you want to learn how to write an essay, remember-  practice makes perfect! Hopefully, the tips above should help you on your journey toward becoming a better writer .

And if you really want to ace your next essay, you can always turn to online tutoring lessons for additional help. Our virtual lessons let you connect with a private tutor via your smartphone, laptop, or computer and web camera. You can receive individualized attention and instruction to ensure your essay knocks it out of the park!

TakeLessons experts are ready to teach. Get a deal on a private or group lesson, or browse on-demand content 24/7 for free

Chapter 10 Rhetorical Modes

10.4 classification, 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

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 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.

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.

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

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. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample classification essay.

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.
  • Successful Writing. Authored by : Anonymous. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Classification Essay: Guide & Examples

    6 min read UPD: Aug 31, 2023 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.

  2. How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

    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.

  3. Classification Essay Guide: 30 Topics & Examples

    Updated 19 May 2023 Table of contents Classification Essay Definition Outline for a Classification Essay Steps for Writing a Classification Essay Topics for Classification Essay

  4. 10.4 Classification

    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.

  5. Classification Essay: Topics, Outline and Writing Tips

    How to Write a Classification Essay? 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.

  6. Learn How To Write A Classification Essay In Simple Steps

    7 min read Published on: May 9, 2019 Last updated on: Dec 19, 2022 On This Page What is a Classification Essay? How to Start a Classification Essay How to Write a Classification Essay? Classification Essay Example Classification Essay Topics Tips for Writing a Classification Essay

  7. How to Write a Classification Essay

    First of all, identify the categories. After the topic for your future essay is selected, divide it into groups and establish logical connections between elements. Try to be as thorough as you can, as leaving out an important category is entirely inappropriate if you want to write classification essay that will be appreciated by your teacher.

  8. Classification

    Writing a 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 ...

  9. Writing A Classification Paper

    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 ...

  10. PDF Classification Essay

    What is a Classification Essay? A classification essay is writing that organizes, or sorts, things into categories. Three Steps to Effective Classification: 1. Sort things into useful categories. 2. Make sure all the categories follow a single organizing principle. 3. Give examples that fit into each category. Finding Categories: This is a key ...

  11. Classification

    Writing a 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.

  12. How to Write a Classification Essay

    How to Write a Classification Essay Choose a topic: Select something that you are familiar with as it will make your job easier while writing the classification essay. Gather information: Conduct research to find out more about the topic and explore what information is available on various categories related to it.

  13. Complete Guide on How to Write a Classification Essay

    Paragraphs usually discuss information for a specific category without mixing up. Having this classification essay definition in mind clarifies the expectations for the assignment. For instance, the student will adjust their mind to identify different objects under each category. Identify Best Practices on How To Start a Classification Essay

  14. Classification Essay Writing Structure and Topics

    What Is a Classification Essay: Start With the Definition This type of paper can also be called a division essay. From the name, you can get that your task is to classify something, to divide. This word is usually associated with some math problems, but it goes about objects, ideas, and concepts.

  15. How to Write a Classification Essay

    6 min read Published on: Jan 6, 2023 Last updated on: Jan 6, 2023 A classification essay is a type of essay that classifies the characters, ideas, or phenomena with a specific set of characteristics. A classification essay is a common type of writing assignment in high school and college students.

  16. How to Write a Classification Essay

    Blog > Classification Essay Written by Caleb S. Classification Essay - Outline, Topics & Writing Tips 6 min read Published on: Jan 2, 2022 Last updated on: Jul 21, 2023 On This Page Classification Essay Definition How to Start a Classification Essay? How to Write a Classification Essay? Classification Essay Examples Classification Essay Topics

  17. How to Write a Classification Essay

    What is a Classification Essay? 📋How to Construct a Classification Essay? Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Conclusion ️How to Write a Perfect Classification Essay?? Brainstorm Ideas Create a Thesis Pick Your Categories Organize Everything Mistakes to Avoid in Writing a Classification Essay Thesis Statement Issue Not Editing Properly

  18. How to write a classification essay (definition, step by step)

    The process of writing a good classification essay involves 6 steps listed below: Brainstorming Ideas. Formulate Thesis Statement. Plan the Process. Carry out extensive research. Write the paper. Revision: Proofread and edit your paper. Now, let us break down each step and see what it entails: Step 1: Brainstorming Ideas.

  19. How to Write a Classification Essay

    The easiest way to explain a classification essay is that it is a formal piece of writing designed to showcase your skills in categorizing and generalization. You will be required to organize things into groups and offer up examples that fit into each.

  20. How To Write a Classification Essay: Tips and Outline Example

    Don't shy away from making notes and using highlighters. The classification essay is about processing a great deal of data, analyzing and putting it into order. So if you are really serious about classification essay writing, don't waste any time and get to it right away! How to Start a Classification Essay

  21. How to Write a Classification Essay

    It helps to collect evidence for the classification. You will need to observe different categories from different angles to make your essay more interesting to the reader. Doing Proper Research: Before you start with the essay, learn and explore the different possibilities of the classification and the various angles of the topic. Doing proper ...

  22. 11.1: The Purpose of Classification in Writing

    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. This page titled 11.1: The Purpose of Classification in Writing is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amber Kinonen, Jennifer ...

  23. How to Write an Essay: A+ Tips

    Start with a reiteration of your thesis, move to a summary of what you have covered in your essay, and end with a general statement indicating the significance of your topic in the broader world ...

  24. 10.4 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.