lec. classification

8/7/2019 lec. classification

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The Classification EssayThe Classification Essay


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Classification = DivisionClassification = Division

Writing a classification essay means dividingWriting a classification essay means dividingmembers of a group.members of a group.

The members in a class must share similarThe members in a class must share similarcharacteristics.characteristics.

When classifying, you need a principle ofWhen classifying, you need a principle ofclassification.classification.


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The Basis of DivisionThe Basis of Division

For example, we can divideFor example, we can divide thethecategory cell phones into thecategory cell phones into thefollowing:following:

SizesSizes

1.1. Small sized cell phonesSmall sized cell phones2.2. Average sized cell phonesAverage sized cell phones

3.3. Large sized cell phonesLarge sized cell phones


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Dont Mix Principles!Dont Mix Principles!

Its confusing to have overlappingIts confusing to have overlappingbases for classification.bases for classification.

For example, if youre characterizingFor example, if youre characterizing cell phonescell phonesbyby sizesize, dont include classes such as, dont include classes such asexpensiveexpensive or or nice lookingnice looking..

Stay within the three categories you areStay within the three categories you areclassifyingclassifying!!


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Find the outFind the out--ofof--place itemplace item

1.1. Autos: SUV, pickup, economyAutos: SUV, pickup, economy

2.2.

Transport: land, train, air, waterTransport: land, train, air, water3.3. Rivers: dangerous, short, wideRivers: dangerous, short, wide

4.4. Drugs: uppers, illegal, downersDrugs: uppers, illegal, downers

5.5. Colleges: private, famous, publicColleges: private, famous, public6.6. Courses: yearCourses: year--long, halflong, half--term, mathterm, math

7.7. Housing: rooms, cheap, apartmentsHousing: rooms, cheap, apartments


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Types of ClassificationTypes of Classification

TTwo of thewo of the most common types ofmost common types ofclassification areclassification are

1.1. ByBy degreedegree, from lower to higher, from lower to higher

2.2. ByBy chronologychronology, in time periods, in time periods


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Classifying by DegreeClassifying by Degree

To classify on the basis ofTo classify on the basis ofdegreedegreemeans tomeans to judge valuejudge value..

Good (Good (C grades are goodC grades are good))

Better (Better (BB gradesgrades are betterare better))

Best (Best (AA gradesgrades are bestare best))


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Another way tAnother way to classify on the basis ofo classify on the basis ofdegreedegree would be as follows:would be as follows:

Small (small size cars)Small (small size cars)

Medium (medium size cars)Medium (medium size cars)

Large (large size cars)Large (large size cars)


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An example of how toAn example of how to classifyclassify cellcellphones based onphones based on degreedegree::

Good (Motorola)Good (Motorola)

Better (Sony)Better (Sony)

Best (Nokia)Best (Nokia)


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Another example of how toAnother example of how to classifyclassify cellcellphones based onphones based on degreedegree::

Cheap (Cell phones without camera)Cheap (Cell phones without camera)

Affordable (Cell phones with camera)Affordable (Cell phones with camera)

Expensive (Cell phones with camera &Expensive (Cell phones with camera &MP3 Player)MP3 Player)


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Dividing by ChronologyDividing by Chronology

You also can write classifications byYou also can write classifications bytime periodstime periods

For example, history can be divided asFor example, history can be divided as

1.1. AncientAncient

2.2. Middle AgesMiddle Ages3.3. ModernModern


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Dividing by ChronologyDividing by Chronology

Another example ofAnother example of classification byclassification bytime periodtime period::

1.1. Past (past forms of travel)Past (past forms of travel)

2.2. Present (present forms of travel)Present (present forms of travel)

3.3. Future (future forms of travel)

Future (future forms of travel)


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Complete the CategoriesComplete the Categories

When youre classifying, dont leaveWhen youre classifying, dont leaveanyone or anything out.anyone or anything out.

Look for obviousLook for obvious missing elementsmissing elements..

Say the writing prompt is What kind of studentsSay the writing prompt is What kind of students

are there in your math class?are there in your math class? You answer: Fast and slow learners.You answer: Fast and slow learners.

But what about theBut what about the averageaverage learners?learners?

After all, you needAfter all, you need three categoriesthree categories!!


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Variations within a classVariations within a class

Rarely will everyoneRarely will everyone or everythingor everything fit infit inperfectlyperfectly in your categoriesin your categories..

Then admit that there are variations andThen admit that there are variations andcomplications in the categories.complications in the categories.

AlthoughAlthough allall cell phones could be classified ascell phones could be classified asbeing cheap or expensive, you must still find abeing cheap or expensive, you must still find amiddle point such as affordable cell phones.middle point such as affordable cell phones.


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Use Parallel ConstructionUse Parallel Construction

OrganizeOrganize your thesis statementyour thesis statement withwithparallelism:parallelism:

Most people respond in one of three ways:Most people respond in one of three ways:eagerlyeagerly,, indifferentlyindifferently, or, or reluctantlyreluctantly..

Notice that each categorical word is in theNotice that each categorical word is in the samesamegrammar formgrammar form: adverbs.: adverbs.

Dont mix and match the terminology!Dont mix and match the terminology!

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