Choose one of the following essay topics:
•Clothing in your closet
•College Instructors
•Neighbors
Write a brainstormed list of at least three
ways you could classify your topic (basis
of classification).
For example, if your topic were
"Friends," you might brainstorm a list
that looked like this:
•How far away my friends live from me
•How much I trust each friend
•Where I know my friends from
Write a list of at least three categories and brainstorm ideas for each of
your categories.
For example, if you chose the basis of classification, "How far away
my friends live from me," you might brainstorm a list that looked
like this:
Friends that live within walking distance of my house
neighbors who are friends
people I rode the bus to school with who are friends
people I see at my neighborhood supermarket who
are friends
Friends that live in my town or part of the state
friends I see at NWACC (unless you live within
walking distance of NWACC ;-))
friends I see at Razorback games
friends I see when I vacation in Eureka Springs
Long-distance friends
Friends who have moved out-of state
Friends I have made over the internet
Pen-pals
Write three possible thesis
statements for your
organized list. Be sure each
is a complete sentence,
includes a controlling idea
and is specific.
Write a topic sentence and
organize (and add, if
necessary) at least three
specific details for your
paragraph groups (use the
checklist for writing
classification paragraphs on
page 136).
Organize the thesis statement
along with the topic
sentences and events and
details you have chosen for
each paragraph into an
outline or plan.
Choose at type of
order (time, space, or
order of importance)
and revise the outline
or plan to reflect the
ordering.
Write a first draft of the
essay, paying particular
attention to transitions
in and between the
paragraphs.