The Classification
and Division Essay
Types of Selfie
Love it or hate it, the selfie
is an important part of
modern pop culture.
Please split the selfies your
class has brought in into
AT LEAST 3 distinct
categories that don’t
overlap.
First of all….

Classification & division are closely related.
 DIVISION
breaks a subject down into
components or categories.
 CLASSIFICATION
does the same, but rates or
ranks the groups according to a common
standard.
 The
method of measurement must be
clearly stated.
 Standards
cannot be mixed.
Types of student
The sophomore
The A-student
The class clown
Doesn’t work: categories can potentially overlap, and the same standard
isn’t being measured (moving from year in school to grades to personality
type)
Types of student
The
athlete
The
princess
The basket
case
The
criminal
The nerd
This works: students are classified according to their social group. This
list is fairly inclusive for the 1980s.
What categories would you use if you were going to remake The
Breakfast Club in 2014?
So, what type of essay is this?
To classify is to gather into categories,
segments, methods, types, or kinds
according to a single basic principle of
division.
 Classification is a common activity that is
especially helpful in organizing large groups
of ideas into smaller, recognizable divisions
that can be given distinct names or titles
and then described in detail.

A few examples . . .
TYPES OF TWITTER USER:
•THE
HUMBLEBRAGGER
•THE
SUBTWEETER
•THE
LURKER
Household Chores:
•Chores I Can Put Off For a Week
•Chores I Can Put Off for a Month
•Chores I Can Put Off Forever
Your Chance!
Hints for Writing a Successful
Classification Paper

Select a limited or restricted subject.

Choose a principle or basis for making the
classification.

Divide the subject into three or four distinct groups –
(we will stick with three)

Arrange these groups in some kind of order or
hierarchy—simple to complex, least to most, etc..

Develop the classes as equally and completely as
possible.
A little more about that order. . .


Some kind of logical sequence should be
followed: from the most to least
important, from the least to most
important climactic order, or from the
smallest to the largest, and so on . . .
Use appropriate transitions to emphasize
the order of arrangement of details, and
to show the relationships among the
classes or divisions. PARALLEL STRUCTURE
IS HUGELY IMPORTANT HERE!
Your Thesis

Order is important! You must name your
restricted subject as well as your three
categories.

Think about your comment, why is it
important we know these divisions?

How you organize your thesis dictates
the order of your body paragraphs! Be
careful as you craft that thesis!
How To Organize Your Body Paragraphs

You need to follow the same pattern for
each of the body paragraphs!
Topic Sentence – creatively name the

Provide a definition for the classification/category.

classification/category
Provide detailed description of this category. You
need at least two distinct examples in your paragraph. It
is important that you use lots of description. Bring this
category to life!
Note: Here is your chance to embed
scintillating description!
So, what are the
parameters for this paper?
Paper Overview
Classification Essay
Length of Paper
5 Paragraphs
Number of Quotes
(intro and conclusion 5-7 sentences.
Body paragraphs 7-10 sentences)
3
Number of Paraphrases
2
Work Cited
# of Vocabulary Words
Yes
10
Submit to turnitin.com
YES!
Points:
100
But wait, this is a GROUP
paper!
Group size:
3 people = the ideal
number. Can be 4, if
you have 4 categories.
Group Roles
•Synthesizer : You will take all the
writings and put them into a fluid piece
(which means adding transitions and
balancing voice). You are the person
who cements the cinderblocks. This is
key because if voice and idea do not go
together, the paper will be choppy and a
failure. Oh, and pick the perfect title.
Group Roles
•Key Writer: You will write the intro
and conclusion, plus you will determine
the voice. Your responsibility also
includes turning in the TTAPP, which
we’ll do in class on Tuesday. (Groups of
4 will split this role)
Group Roles
•Director: You will give direction unto
what needs to be researched, which
parts of the paper will be written…you
are the micro-manager! You will also do
the final editing. Lastly, make deadlines.
Individual Roles
•Each write his or her own
sections
•Each perform his or her roles
•Submit 200-250 word reflection –
this will be submitted with the
paper!
•Each will submit the full RD to
turnitin, and one person will
submit the final.
As a Group
•Agree upon a challenging essay
•Discuss the plan of the essay
•Agree upon the avenue used in
the intro and conclusion
•Help each other, be kind – be firm
•Maintain the integrity of
guidelines
•Edit
On Wednesday, November 19th you
will need to turn in:
• Rough Draft showing your personal and group
edits. *Hard copy
• ONE member will submit the final to turnitin
by 11:59pm
• Reflection to turnitin by 11:59pm
Your topic
– Must be something that affects you and
your peers and is a product of pop culture.
Popular culture (or "pop culture") refers to the cultural meaning
systems and cultural practices employed by the majority of classes
in a society. The movies with the biggest weekend gross box
office total, the top songs on the Billboard charts, the most widely
read books and the highest ranking television shows in the
Nielsen ratings are important elements of U.S. popular culture.
Think about: music, movies, the internet, politics, fads, trends,
icons, fashion, celebrities, what’s hot . . . what’s not.
Be sure somehow in your paper that you address how your vein of pop
culture influences teenagers today!
Need Ideas for topics?
(Be sure you write about something you know!)
You could classify . . .
 Music,
movies, the internet, fads,
politics, trends, memes, tweets –
types of tweets, reasons why people
have twitter, tech gadgets, icons,
fashion, celebrities, televisions shows,
Instagram (users, types of posts,
relationships, pics posted), et cetera.
Body Paragraphs can be tricky! Consider these elements:

Topic Sentence – It clearly “sets the stage” for what the rest of the
paragraph is going to be about (provides an overview of that paragraph’s
topic) AND it clearly connects to the thesis statement.

It has strong Unity: Make sure each sentence in the body paragraph is
related to the central thought.

It has strong Coherence: Arrange ideas in a clear, logical order. Provide
appropriate transitions to the subsequent paragraph.

It has strong Development: Supporting details are provided that relate
directly to the purpose of the paragraph and supports the thesis.

Meet the needs of the POD – so for this sample, you would want to name
your category, define the category, and then provide two examples.

The final sentence of the paragraph is a summation (of the paragraph’s
topic) and a transition into the next idea.

Word choice is “advanced” & reflects a mastery of the language.

Voice is evident/clear/unique.

Sentence structure is advanced and sentence variety is present. Each
sentence is powerful and makes an impact on the reader.

Grammar/mechanics are solid and at a college level.
FOCUS!
USE THE CHECKLIST & REVIEW THE
CALENDAR SO YOU KNOW THE TIMELINE!
Before you get too far be sure that you get your
umbrella topic and three categories approved on
Tuesday. This can be trickier than it seems! All the
categories must go together.
Need some inspiration?
Check out the link to the
right! I also have the link
on our web page! You
might also check out
BuzzFeed!
Classification Essay Checklist

Choose a partner/group

Identify roles: Synthesizer, Key Writer,
Director

Get topic/3 categories approved

Get TTAPP Approved

Be sure Point of View is 3rd person!

Create “snappy” names and definitions for
each of your three categories.

Decide who will be writing each of the
body paragraphs.

Select 10 vocabulary words – assign to
areas of the essay.

Assign who will find the source/sources
and identify where your two paraphrases
and three quotes will be placed. Assign
who will write the works cited page.

Director will assign deadlines and identify
what will be completed during in class
work time.

Director will identify last day body
paragraphs will be given to the synthesizer
and when the key writer will submit the
intro and conclusion.

Director will identify when the synthesizer
will provide full copy of the paper for
group editing – remember each person
must take part in the editing process and
have a rough draft to turn in with his/her
editing notes and comments.

Ensure body paragraph order matches
the thesis.

Ensure that body paragraphs follow
prescribed pattern.

Ensure that the voice is consistent and
that the purpose is maintained
throughout the entire paper!

Make arrangements for how to receive
final draft.

Each group member will write his/her
own 200/250 word reflection. This must
be submitted to turnitin online before the
due date.

Each group member will submit an
edited rough draft on the due date of
the final draft.

One group member will submit his/her
final draft of the paper to turnitin.