UNIT-2 CLASSIFICATION ESSAY What Is Classification? Classification means breaking down a general subject into several categories according to one principle of selection. People use classification when they prepare their shopping lists classifying or grouping the items to avoid walking back and forth in the market. Classification = Division Writing a classification essay means dividing members of a group. The members in a class must share similar characteristics When classifying, you need a principle of classification. Examples of classification: A grocery shopping list has been classified into three major groups. Dairy Products Milk, butter, cheese, cream Produce Onions, Potatoes, oranges, bananas Canned goods Tomato sauce, tuna, chicken broth Wallets Leather Plastic cloth Professors Serious Caring Indifferent Don’t Mix Principles! It’s confusing to have overlapping bases for classification. For example, if you’re characterizing cell phones by size, don’t include classes such as “expensive” or “nice looking.” Stay within the three categories you are classifying! Find the out-of-place item 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Autos: classical, economic, sport Transport: land, train, air, water Rivers: dangerous, short, wide Drugs: uppers, illegal, downers Colleges: private, famous, public Courses: year-long, half-term, math Housing: rooms, cheap, apartments Types of Classification Two of the most common types of classification are 1. By degree, from lower to higher 2. By chronology, in time periods Classifying by Degree To classify on the basis of degree means to judge value. Good (C grades are good) Better (B grades are better) Best (A grades are best) Classifying by Degree Another way to classify on the basis of degree would be as follows: Small (small size cars) Medium (medium size cars) Large (large size cars) Dividing by Chronology You also can write classifications by time periods For example, history can be divided as 1. Ancient 2. Middle Ages 3. Modern Another example of classification by time period: Past (past forms of travel) 2. Present (present forms of travel) 3. Future (future forms of travel) 1. So… A CLASSIFICATION ESSAY breaks down a general subject into classes (categories or groups.) You can classify either things or ideas. You decide how you will classify your topic, but always go from general to specific. Outlining your essay I. Introduction 1. Lead-in: Introducing the topic in an interesting way. 2. Transition: Make transition to thesis statement. 3. Thesis: Classify the subject into three categories. All Body paragraphs follow the same format Body Paragraph Topic Sentence: Present the first category. 2. Supporting Details: Define this category/Give examples. 3. Closing Remarks: Wrap up this paragraph. 1. Conclusion 1. Wrap up the major points. 2. State the importance of the above classification. 3. To close, make some humorous remarks or enlightening remarks. ATTENTION! * Using Parallel Construction Organize your thesis statement with parallelism: “Most people respond in one of three ways: eagerly, indifferently, or reluctantly.” Notice that each categorical word is in the same grammar form: adverbs. Don’t mix and match the terminology! SAMPLE CLASSIFICATION ESSAY-1 "I've been here for ten minutes and my server hasn't taken my order yet!" This is a direct quote from me before I worked at a restaurant. I never looked to see how many tables my server actually had. The sad truth is most people do not notice these details either, which may affect the tip their server will receive. By looking at the attitude and maintenance of restaurant customers, you can classify them into three categories according to their tipping patterns: the "hmm, … how good were they? tippers," "the "stickto-the-fifteen-percent tippers," and the "I-am-or-once-was-a-server tippers". The "hmm, … how good were they? tippers" stick out as a sore thumb would. They have the attitude of "They are working for me," and "The whole world revolves around me." They also say things such as, "Is my food suppose to look like that?" and "Where is my refill?" They are the customers who always have a disgusted face and are not satisfied with anything. The "hmm, … how good were they? Tippers" are not only high maintenance but also the worst tippers. When the bill comes, they feel they can justify giving a small tip because of their "lack of service". Many can guess the server likes these customers least. These customers not only put the server in an angry mood but also the rest of the employees that must hear from that server. The average customers in a restaurant are probably the "Stick-to-the-fifteenpercent, tippers." They have the attitude of "I'm just here for the food." These average customers can be heard saying, "Looks good, I just need ketchup." and "When you get a chance, may I please have a refill?" The "Stick-to-the-fifteen- percent tippers" have a more serious, laid-back face and stay quiet. These customers are average maintenance and average tippers. Their server is mild and polite because he is thankful for the expected tip. A server walks away from the table cool, calm and collected with no need to complain. The best customers of all three categories are the "I-am-or-once-was-a-server tippers". These wonderful customers have the attitude of "I know how hard they are working." and "Wow, our server is busy." They are the customers who don't say anything at all except for their order. They are also the happiest with what they receive. They do not complain or ask for anything extra. They are the best tippers because they can put themselves in the server's shoes, for they have been there before. When a server walks away from their table, they are glowing. The server feels the need to tell every employee about her excellent tip and makes sure to give these customers a special smile or "thank you" in hopes they will be back soon. "Thank you, the food looks great!" This is my quote when I go to a restaurant. To see what servers go through everyday, I now understand what type of "tipper" I should have been a long time ago. If the "hmm, … how good were they? tippers" and the "stickto-fifteen-percent tippers" could see what the "I-am-or-once-was-a-waiter tipper" sees, maybe their attitude, maintenance level and tipping patterns would change. I made a change for the good and more people should. SAMPLE CLASSIFICATION ESSAY-2 No matter what kind of music you listen to, it makes your mood better. I believe this statement is true because of personal experiences. For example, when I'm feeling lazy or when I'm feeling sleepy, I start listening to a remix of Techno and Pop. This helps bring out a positive energy and mood in me. In this world we are surrounded by different kinds of music that set different moods for everybody. There is music that is relaxing, music that you are used to and listen to everyday, and then there is also music that can be very annoying. With relaxing music you can concentrate on your work. Many people have different moods, therefore a song that relaxes you may not be quite the same for someone else. A relaxing song may be one that clams you down, soothes you, and comforts you. When you find this to be true in one song, someone else can think that it is totally annoying. Listening to Pop, Beethoven, and maybe some acoustic guitar can be calming and relaxing for some people, whereas others, like myself, might find Rock, Techno, and Metal to be soothing and calming. Everyone tries to be independent and they have their own taste of music and preference. Music that you listen to everyday, or music you choose to listen to as your personal favorite is your everyday music. This can be music on your ipod or your portable music device. This would be the music that you enjoy listening to and that makes you happy, it’s the music you are used to, and the music that you know. Music that you also listen to everyday can also be music that you constantly listen to on the radio. The most annoying music is the one that is constantly played on the radio, music everyone is singing, or just simply music that sucks. Many people enjoy listening to the same songs over and over again. While at the same time there are others who cannot stand the same songs like a melody in my head.... Na, Na, Na, Na everyday”, playing on the radio every five minutes. Another way of thinking that music is annoying is hearing a disturbing beat throughout the whole song, or that the song itself is hard to understand, or it can be too loud for some people. Are you ever driving on the road and you pull up to a stop light, and right next to you pulls up a car with blasting music? This is also another way of finding music to be annoying. Or, have you noticed someone singing the same music you listen to on the radio everyday? Some, if not most, songs can be very catchy. Even though some kinds of music help to motivate me, it is not the same for everyone. So no matter what kind of music you may be listening to, it will help make your mood better. The time and place where you decide to listen to music might also influence your mood, for example if you are at a coffee shop you may enjoy some jazz music, or if you are at a club something more up beat will soothe you. These are just some of the factors that divide the music into mentioned-above three categories.
