MS. FATEMA RASUL
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A classification essay organizes
things, people, places etc into
categories according to the similar
characteristics, common features they
share.
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It requires the organization of ideas
under a single organizing theory and
then putting them into correct
categories.
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A division-classification essay usually begins
with a generic subject such as pets, homes,
people, teachers, automobiles, etc., divides the
topic into specific groups, and provides
examples and reasons to distinguish between
those divisions.
For example, dividing movies into three
groups such as action, mystery, and horror.
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Organize supporting details into three or more
groups with each group having its own
identifying characteristics.
For this reason, classification essays rely
heavily on description and example as
supporting details, description providing the
means for identifying distinguishing
characteristics and examples illustrating the
members of each class.
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There are three elements to a classification
essay: the set of things being classified, the
scheme (or principle of selection) for classifying
the set, and the classes into which the set is
divided.
Set: Any set, which is to be classified, must
share a common characteristic or be able to be
distinguished from things outside the set.
Biology classifies living organisms . Students,
pets, vacation spots, or other generic nouns can
serve as a set to be classified.
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A scheme is the quality, standard, type, or
function by which the elements of the set are
sorted into classes, that is, the principle of selection
for creating the groups.
Biologists classify living organisms based on life
processes and qualities.
Geologists sort rocks into igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic rocks, a classification based on
how the rocks were formed.
In order for a classification scheme to be effective,
it must be a significant, important, relevant, or
valuable way to understand the set of things under
consideration.
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The thesis statement usually
includes the topic and how it is
classified. Sometimes the
categories are named.
(topic)...(how
classified)...(category)
(category) (category)
Ex: Tourists in Hawaii can enjoy
three water sports: snorkeling,
surfing, and sailing.
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Determine the categories. Be thorough; don't
leave out a critical category. For example, if you
say water sports of Hawaii include snorkeling and
sailing, but leave out surfing, your essay would be
incomplete because surfing is Hawaii's most
famous water sport.
On the other hand, don't include too many
categories, which will blur your classification. For
example, if your topic is sports shoes, and your
organizing principle is activity, you wouldn't
include high heels with running and bowling
shoes.
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Once you have categories, make sure that they
fit into the same organizing principle. The
organizing principle is how you sort the
groups. Do not allow a different principle to
pop up unexpectedly. For example, if your
unifying principle is "tourist-oriented" water
sports, don't use another unifying principle,
such as "native water sports," which would
have different categories: pearl diving,
outrigger, or canoe racing.
Classification Structure:
I. Introduction
· States thesis
II. Body
· Identifies, in separate paragraphs, the various
categories, with examples
III. Conclusion
· Restates the categories of the thesis and, as a
significance—or answer to the question “so what?”
implied in any composition, stresses the value
ofthis classification system
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Parent-hood is a state endowed by
God on people which requires the
responsibility of providing love,
care, support, and good upbringing to
their
off spring. Since the
word parents encompasses such a large
number of people, it is easy to
understand why there are so many
different kinds. In terms of how they
treat their children, however, within
this variety, there are three basic
The autocratic parent's word is the law, and
when he says jump every one had better do it
quickly. He assumes that he and he alone knows
what is best for his children and that they
will learn discipline and respect for authority
from his regimentation. A parent like this does
not consider that he may not know the best and
that rules un-tempered with mercy breed
rebellion and contempt far authority. The
authoritarian whose child comes home one hour
late because there had been a major accident
on the highway tying up traffic for miles would
allow the child no opportunity to explain his
reasons for being late. The child would be
immediately grounded and have his allowance
suspended This kind of parent probably has good
intentions, wanting his child to grow up
"right," but approaches the task as if his
family
The democratic parent is not so strict.
He is willing to discuss rules and
punishments with his children and to
listen to their side of an argument. If
his child had come in an hour late, he
would listen to the explanation about
the major wreck that tied up traffic for
miles. Since this is such an easily
verifiable story, the democratic parent
would suspend any punishment in this
case when he sees the morning paper or
hears the morning news. In general, the
democratic parent lays down fewer rules
than his autocratic counterpart because
he realizes there are some things in
life that
.
The permissive parent has no rules for
his children and offers little guidance
Frequently, this parent is too busy to
spend time with his children and leaves
their rearing to TV, school, and chance.
Possibly no rules are set and he allows
his children to come and go as they
please either because he doesn't care
about what they do or because he thinks
they must learn to set their own rules .
Such a parent doesn't understand that
all young people need guidance because
when they mature, they will have to
abide by society's rules. Not learning a
respect for order early may cause this
parent's children to resent the rules
Few people with children
are democratic parents, which is the
best of these three. Too much
authority or too little often breeds
disrespect and resentment. A good
parent should offer guidance
and advice and not try to rule or
disregard his children completely.
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In this introduction of sample classification essay, the
writer gives a brief introduction of computers and in
the last sentence he makes the transition to the body
paragraph.
“There are many different terms which are used to for
computers. These terms denote the size, use or competence of
computers. Broadly speaking the word “computer” can be
applied to almost any device with a microprocessor in. It is a
general conception that computer is a machine which
receives input from the user through a mouse or keyboard,
processes it and shows the outcome on monitor’s screen.
Computers can be divided into five classes on the basis of
their purpose and capabilities.”
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In the body paragraphs of classification essay, the writer gives description
of each category separately explaining the characteristics and the use of
particular type of computer.
"The most well-known kind of microprocessor is personal computer (PC). It is
used by a single person for general 1use. PC comes in another type called
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) which has a different appearance only. In the
beginning, PCs were known as microcomputers because they had all functions of
huge computers used in business.
Another use of microprocessor is as workstation. These computers have more
powerful processors with additional and vast memory and work performance.
They are used to perform a special group of task like 3D Graphics and game
development.
Computer is also used as server. Its purpose is to provide service to other
computers which are connected through a network. These computers have strong
processors and hard drives with a great deal of memory".
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In the final paragraph of this sample classification
essay, the writer tells about the importance of
subject and gives suggestions pertaining to future.
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“Computers have always been in process of
development and new adjustments. It has become an
essential part in ever walk of life as different specialties
and its demand is increasing with the passage of time. It
would be greatly beneficial to stay updated with the
latest developments made in computers recognizing the
facts of why they differ from each other.”
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The first kind, the second kind, the third kind
The first type, the second type, the third type
The first group, the second group, the third
group
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List the different cafes that you have visited
and classify them.
Look at the books that you have in your house
and categorize them.
Classify your friends in order of their closeness
to you.
Classify the different movies that have released
in the last year in terms of their theme.
List the television programs that you like to
watch.