CLASSIFICATION and DIVISION ESSAY
INTRODUCTION
Like we’ve discussed, classification and division is a process that allows you to make sense of seemingly
random ideas by putting scattered bits of information into useful, coherent order. By breaking a large
group (senior English students) into smaller categories (specific types of students), we can identify
relationships between a whole and its parts and relationships among the parts themselves. In countless
situations, classification and division bring order to chaos – your iPod classifies music into genres, phone
numbers listed in your cell phone’s address book are divided into three categories (home, work, and
mobile).
PLANNING
Once you decide to use a classification and division pattern (or we decide this for you ), you must plan
your essay carefully (use the attached worksheet – due at the end of the hour):




Identify a principle of classification (how you are categorizing – see p. 437) and a topic.
TOPIC: You can choose any of the topics on pages 487-488; this is actually a great list (and
includes the topic that uses the Ethics essays as sources). OR you can choose something original
(requires approval).
Once you have a principle of classification and a topic, you need to establish categories.
Remember:
o All the categories should derive from the same principle.
o All the categories should be at the same level.
o You should treat all categories that are significant and relevant to your discussion.
Develop a thesis that identifies your subject and introduces the categories you will discuss.
Consider showing readers the relationships of your categories to one another and to the subject
as a whole. Consider noting the relative strengths and weaknesses of each categories or making
a recommendation based on your assessment.
STRUCTURING
You should structure your essay around the three major sections that other essays have:



Introduction – Identify topic, principle for classifying material, and the individual categories you
plan to discuss; thesis usually stated here
Body Paragraphs – discuss categories one by one, in the same order in which you mentioned
them in your introduction
Conclusion – restate your thesis (not REPEAT your thesis), sum up the points you have made,
and consider their implications
SOURCES
You are required to use three sources in your essay, and follow MLA citation/works cited guidelines. In
our model essay, three different types (book, online article, essays) of sources were used – but there
were 9 individual sources cited. Spend some time considering what type of sources would be most
appropriate, and search for sources that support your topic.
PLANNING WORKSHEET IS DUE AT THE END OF THE HOUR….TODAY 
FIRST DRAFT ESSAYS – WITH WORKS CITED – ARE DUE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE HOUR.
CLASSIFICATION and DIVISION
My Plan
 Topic:
 Principle of Classification:
 Categories (at least 3):
 Thesis: