Chapter 12 Classification: Establishing Groups

Writing Classification
To explain by classification, you put persons, places, things, or ideas into groups or classes based on their characteristics. Whereas analysis by division deals with the characteristics of just one unit, classification deals with more than one unit, so the subject is plural.
To classify efficiently, try following this procedure:
Select a plural subject.
Decide on a principle for grouping the units of your subject.
Establish the groups, or classes.
Write about the classes.
Selecting SubjectWhen you say you have different kinds of neighbors, friends, teachers, bosses, or interests, you are classifying; that is, you are forming groups.
In naming the different kinds of people in your neighborhood, you might think of different grouping of your neighbors, the units. For example, some neighbors are friendly, some are meddlesome, and some are private. Some neighbors have yards like Japanese gardens, some have yards like neat – but – cozy parks, and some have yards like abandoned lots. Some neighbors are affluent, some are comfortable, and some are struggling. Each of these sets is a classification system and could be the focus of one paragraph in your essay.Using a Principle to Avoid OverlappingAll the sets in the preceding section are sound because each group is based on a single concern: neighborly involvement, appearance of the yard, or wealth. This one concern, or controlling idea, is called the principle. For example, the principle of neighborly involvement controls the grouping of neighbors into three classes: friendly, meddlesome, and private.
Establishing ClassesAs you name your classes, rule our easy, unimaginative phrasing such as fast/medium/slow, good/ average/bad, and beautiful/ordinary/ugly. Look for creative, original phrases and unusual perspectives.Using simple and complex formsClassification can take two forms: simple and complex. The simple form does not go beyond main division in its grouping.
Outline:
Subject:Principles:Classes: I. Class oneII. Class TwoIII. Class ThreeComplex classification are based on one principle and then subgrouped by another related principle.Source: Brandon, L. & Brandon, K. (2011). Paragraphs & Essays with Integrated Readings. Houghton Mifflin Company.