Classification Classification paragraphparagraph

It would be difficult to write an It would be difficult to write an paragraph about the students in paragraph about the students in this class. It would be easier to this class. It would be easier to

write about them if you put them in write about them if you put them in groups of students sharing similar groups of students sharing similar

characteristics.characteristics.

What are some ways to classify the What are some ways to classify the students in this class?students in this class?

Students can be classified Students can be classified according to:according to:

Their nationalityTheir nationalitytheir gendertheir gendertheir majorstheir majors

their attitude toward schooltheir attitude toward schooletc…etc…

A classification places items in A classification places items in groups according to some groups according to some

principlesprinciples

CollegesColleges can be classified or can be classified or grouped according to theirgrouped according to theirlocationlocationsizesizecourse offeringscourse offeringscostcost

CarsCars can be classified by can be classified by

high-performancehigh-performanceluxuryluxuryfamilyfamily

Items are placed in a group Items are placed in a group because they share characteristics.because they share characteristics.

High performanceHigh performance cars cars have have similar features: engine size, and similar features: engine size, and

the ability to travel fast.the ability to travel fast.

Luxury carsLuxury cars: leather seats, and : leather seats, and electronic dashboardselectronic dashboards

family carsfamily cars: seating for six or more : seating for six or more and good gas mileageand good gas mileage

ClassificationClassification is important is important because it helps us sort and group because it helps us sort and group

things.things.

Think how hard it would be to find a Think how hard it would be to find a book in the library without a book in the library without a

classification system.classification system.

The The classification paragraphclassification paragraph presents the topic and includes presents the topic and includes

words that let the reader know the words that let the reader know the paragraph will place things in paragraph will place things in

groups.groups.

Topic SentencesTopic Sentences::

Four categoriesFour categories of employers exist in of employers exist in the workplace.the workplace.

An athlete soon learns of the An athlete soon learns of the several several kinds of coacheskinds of coaches..

All automobiles fall into one of All automobiles fall into one of three three groupsgroups..

The topic sentence in a The topic sentence in a classification paragraph can take classification paragraph can take

one of several forms:one of several forms:

Topic + organizing principle = Topic S.Topic + organizing principle = Topic S.oror

Topic + organizing principle + categories = Topic Topic + organizing principle + categories = Topic S.S.

ororTopic + categories = Topic S.Topic + categories = Topic S.

Place things according to only Place things according to only one one principle.principle.

When you develop your supporting When you develop your supporting details, think of each sentence that details, think of each sentence that

presents a particular group as a presents a particular group as a general statement that must be general statement that must be followed by specific statements.followed by specific statements.

Kinds of exams: Kinds of exams: multiple choice, true/false, in class, multiple choice, true/false, in class,

take-home, paragraph, fill-in-the-blanks, open book, definition, take-home, paragraph, fill-in-the-blanks, open book, definition, matchingmatching

Principle of classification: Principle of classification: degree of difficultydegree of difficulty

group 1: group 1: easyeasy

group 2: group 2: moderately hardmoderately hard

group 3: group 3: hardhard

items in group 1: items in group 1: true/false, matchingtrue/false, matching

items in group 2: items in group 2: multiple choicemultiple choice items in group 3: paragraphitems in group 3: paragraph, fill-in-the , fill-in-the

blanksblanks

Write a topic sentenceWrite a topic sentence

Write supporting ideas for each of Write supporting ideas for each of the categories and give detailed the categories and give detailed

examples of what is in each examples of what is in each category.category.

Write a concluding sentence that Write a concluding sentence that makes an observation about the makes an observation about the way you have classified the topic way you have classified the topic

and why (your purpose)and why (your purpose)

Title your paragraphTitle your paragraph

Classification Classification Paragraph Paragraph

When writing a classification paragraph, you group things or ideas into specific categories.

Example:   Write a paragraph discussing two types of energy resources.

Coal is a kind of non-renewable resource.

Energy resources can be divided into two types.

Coal is a type of non-renewable resource.

Coal falls under the category of non-renewable resources.

Coal belongs to the category of non-renewable resources.

Coal is a part of the category of non-renewable resources.

Coal fits into the category of non-renewable resources.

Sample Classification Paragraph

Test questions generally fall into two categories, depending on how they are answered: objective and subjective. The first kind, objective questions, have definite right and wrong answers. Multiple-choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions are objective. Although objective questions can be tricky because of their wording, most students prefer such questions, particularly multiple choice and matching. The answers are already there, and the student just has to choose the right ones. The questions in the second category are tougher. Subjective test items, such as short-answer and essay questions, have no single correct answer. There is a range of possible responses. Students have to know the information in order to answer each question, and they have to present it in their own words. For most people, the more concrete, objective questions are less intimidating than the subjective ones. You can make a lucky guess on an objective question, but a subjective question doesn’t offer much hope for a student relying on dumb luck.

Source: Anker, n.d.

Classification: The topic sentence of a classification paragraph should mention the topic being classified and may indicate the classification principle.

2006.9 The Paragraph--2 23

A drink may be classified according to whether or not it contains alcohol. Therefore, basically, there are two types of drinks: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Alcoholic drinks are spirits, wine, beer. Non-alcoholic drinks may be sub-divided into hot drinks and cold drinks. Hot drinks are drinks like tea and ….

Sample Classification Paragraph 2

2006.9 The Paragraph--2 24

All my friends can be classified into two kinds.

Class work —— classification

All my friends can be classified into two kinds. With some of them I can talk about anything, but with some I can only talk about my study. .....

Kinds of teachersKinds of teacherskinds of restaurantskinds of restaurants

kinds of friendskinds of friendskinds of dinner partieskinds of dinner parties

kinds of bosseskinds of bosseskinds of birthday celebrationskinds of birthday celebrations

kinds of radio stationskinds of radio stationskinds of neighborskinds of neighborskinds of courseskinds of courses

Types of driversTypes of driverstypes of cell phonestypes of cell phones

types of cell phone userstypes of cell phone userstypes of studentstypes of studentstypes of vacationstypes of vacationstypes of parentstypes of parentstypes of dessertstypes of desserts

types of sports fanstypes of sports fanstypes of diettypes of diet

SmokersSmokerslies people telllies people tell

excuses students make up excuses students make up books you readbooks you readmovies you seemovies you see

problems in a relationshipproblems in a relationshiproommatesroommatesphone callsphone calls

The end!The end!