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What is a classification essay? The purpose of a classification essay is to divide a topic into several categories and describe each category. However, this essay does NOT compare the similarities and differences of each category or argue that one is better than the other; that is the purpose of a comparison essay.
The purpose of a comparison essay is to show how two subjects are similar or different (i.e. the differences between soccer and American football).
The purpose of a classification essay is to divide a topic into specific groups or categories (i.e. popular American sports > baseball, American football, soccer, basketball).
After describing the main topic and dividing the topic into several categories (or listing several types of the topic), a classification essay describes each of the categories.
Think about a topic that interests you. It could be a type of person, place, thing, etc. Don't choose a topic that is too big. For example, don't write about every sport. There will be too many things to write about in a 2-3 page essay. Instead, choose a specific focus, like types of sports.
If your topic can be divided into a lot of different categories, you may need to focus on one specific type that can be divided into two or three categories. Do not choose a topic that is too broad or complicated for a short essay.
After choosing a topic for your paper, start outlining by thinking about how you can divide the topic into categories. Use that information to write your thesis.
Then, organize your topic into paragraphs. You should have one body paragraph for each category of your topic.
A classification essay follows typical essay organization with an introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
Classification essays have an introduction paragraph that gives an overview of the topic as a whole. Your introduction paragraph should then end with your thesis. The thesis states the broad topic and how it is divided into categories.
The body paragraphs in your classification essay contain descriptions of each category. Divide the topic into related categories and describe each category in its own body paragraph. Each category you choose should support the thesis and topic of your paper. The topic sentences for your body paragraphs should introduce the topic and category that you will describe in that paragraph.
The conclusion should start by restating your thesis statement. It then discusses the broad topic in a general sense and ends with a closing statement that in some way makes a prediction, suggestion, or opinion.
TH: The most popular platforms for communication are Facebook and Whatsapp.
TS: Facebook is an amazing online network around the world.
TS: Whatsapp is a platform only for chat and calls and is now one of the most recognized social media apps.
TH: We have the conversation in our hands now through social networking apps like Facebook and Whatsapp.
Take a few minutes to make a list. Once you have your topic chosen, think about how to divide it into categories with as much detail as possible.
Spend about three minutes completing a brainstorm activity for each topic that you wrote.
Make sure you divide each topic into related categories. This will help organize your thoughts and to find the topic that is easiest for you to classify.
Start your outline with your thesis sentence and your topic sentences. You can add the other details after your outline is approved by your teacher.
TH:
TS:
TS:
TS:
TH:
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Access it online or download it at https://ensign.edtechbooks.org/foundations_c_writing/prewritingM.
