Division:
 Using this method we
separate a whole into
its elements, and
examine the relations
of the elements to one
another and the
whole.
 Uses critical thinking so
you can see beneath
the surface of things
and analyze.
Classification
 Helps us make sense of
our experiences and
surroundings
 See the
correspondences
among alike things
and distinguish them
from unlike things
 Helps us name things,
remember them, and
discuss them with
others
Division

It peers inside a topic. Identifies the
parts, examines how all the parts
relate, and leads to a conclusion
about the meaning, significance, or
value of the whole.

The subject in a Division essay is usually
singular, a freestanding subject with its
own unique structure of elements and
qualities.

Principle of analysis: a framework that
determines how the subject will be
divided, therefore what elements are
important to the essay. (depends on
the writers view of the whole)

Requirements for principle of analysis

-It should be: appropriate for the
topic, significant, applied thoroughly
and consistently to illuminate either a
conclusion or evaluation of the topic to
represent it as it actually is.
Classification

Separate things into their elements
using the method of division or analysis
(See the ‘Division’ chapter)

Isolate the similarities among the
elements

Group or classify the things based on
those similarities, matching like with like

Two systems of classification:
› In complex-classification each
individual fits into a separate
class.
› In a binary or two-part
classification two classes are in
opposition to each other
Division

“Mr. Richards shows off by not showing
off. He uses rhythm chords as a goad,
not a metronome, slipping them in just
ahead of beat or skipping them
entirely. The distilled twang of his tone
has been imitated all over rock, but far
fewer guitarists have learned his
guerrilla timing, his coiled silences.
When he switches to lead guitar, Mr.
Richards goes not for long lines, but for
serrated riffing, zinging out three or four
notes again and again in various
permutations, wringing from them the
essence of the blues. The phrasing is
poised and suspenseful, but it also
carries a salutary rock attitude: that less
is more, especially when delivered with
utter confidence.”

-Principle of analysis (Division): Topic
sentence, elements of topic that are
going to help prove the topic
sentence. Ex: elements of Richards’s
“not showing off”

- Elements
Classification

Find the principle of classification (the
categories the information will be
classified into) in the thesis

Look for those principles in the body
Division

Begin by seeking meaning or significance
in a subject

When developing your own principle of
analysis, think of something whose
meaning or significance fascinates you
and whose parts you can distinguish and
relate to the whole.

Dissect your subject, the physical things if
possible. Distinguishing how all the
elements and features work together.

Keep your analysis true to the subject

Thesis statement is crucial in this essay,
readers need to know the purpose and
structure of your analysis in order to follow
your points. Answer it in a way that you
state your opinion and reveal your
principle of analysis of your subject.

Organizing: introduction, let readers know
why your bothering to analyze your
subject. Body, explain your principle of
analysis. Conclusion: assembles the
elements, returning to a sense of the
whole subject, summarize what the essay
has contributed, and its influence of the
subject in a larger picture.
Classification

Forming a thesis
Be sure you convey the reason for the
classification
Organizing
The classes may be arranged in order of
decreasing familiarity or increasing
importance or size
Drafting

Be sure to consider your readers’ needs




(if the subject is unfamiliar, you will
need to give more background)
Division:

The significance of your analysis and
your views on the subject are clear
throughout the essay.

All elements according to your
principle of analysis and relations to
one another are identified.

Your principle of analysis is applied
consistently to the entire subject. All
elements reflect the same principle,
and are clearly separate rather than
overlapping.

The thesis is supported by clear
assertions about parts of the subject,
ant the assertions are supported by
specific evidence.

Analysis is true to the subject. Your
thesis is unforced and your analysis is
fair. Your reassembly of the elements
are the same as the original. Don’t
leap in to a conclusion that distorts the
subject.
Classification

Will readers see the purpose of your
classification?

Is your classification complete?

Read the essay Division essay titled
“Humvee Satisfies a Man’s Lust for
Winches” by Dave Barry, and write a
practice précis for it.
Division:
1.
Disect your subject. (Remember
division and analysis are
interchangeable terms).
2.
For your thesis statement, apply
an explanatory or persuasive
purpose that you can back up
with evidence, sharing the
understanding with the reader.
3.
In your introduction let readers
know why you want to analyze
your particular subject.
4.
In the body of your essay: you
can arrange the elements and
then offer your analysis or
introduce and analyze elements
one by one.
5.
In your conclusion be sure to
assess the effectiveness or worth
of the subject that you are
analyzing.
Classification:
1.
Separate things into their
elements using Division then
isolate the similarities among the
elements and group the things
based on those similarities
2.
Write a clear outline to create a
precise, structured essay
3.
Create a thesis that conveys the
reason for classification
4.
Make sure your essay has a clear
purpose
5.
Be consistent in your writing in
order to save readers from
confusion and irritation

In “Humvee Satisfies a Man’s Lust for Winches” (2001), Barry reveals that
the true purpose of “grown men’s toys” is to provide men with “a (false)
sense of masculinity” that serves as a cover-up for the man’s true
insecurities. Barry illustrates the unnecessary features of the Humvee,
(“military shorthand for Hugely Masculine VEEhickle” which contains
features such as “dashboard switches that enable you to inflate or
deflate your tries as you drive!” and compares the masculine reaction
(“Is that cool, or WHAT”) to the female reaction (“Why?”). He utilizes the
features and reactions to the Humvee’s features in order to warn men
that although they may think that their new “man toy” provides a new
sense of masculinity and thought process of “this feature would seriously
impress women” it is greeted with “my wife….rolling her eyes” and using
“300 gallons of fuel” to drive “to a shopping mall just before Christmas.”
Barry directs his writings toward men and provides personal experiences
with the Humvee to support his claims, revealing the military origins of
the car in the Gulf War, his wife’s reaction to the car’s features (featuring
phrases such as “Why” and the condemning eye-roll) and overall
impracticality of the car in non-military settings.