by Merve Gazioğlu

CLASSIFICATION PARAGRAPH

• Classification is grouping items into categories according to a certain principle.

• A «classification paragraph» describes various classes related to one category of things.

For example: Winter Fruits apple, orange, tangerine…

Here are some other examples…

• For example, you can divide Facebook users, according to the level of their activity, into the following groups:

• online zombie;• daily visitor;• weekender;• “forgot my password” type.

• The same information can be classified into more than one category, but the classification paragraph sticks to one basis of classification.

*** In order to be sucessful at this, you have to be very clear, specific and detailed.

• The topic sentence has two parts: the topic, and the basis of classification, which is the controlling idea; it controls how the writer approaches the subject.

How to Write a Classification Paragraph?

Step 1: Select the item to classify, and create categories related to that item. Concrete (real) items work best for this paragraph type rather than ideas, experiences or other intangibles.

For example, ‘sports shoes’ can be classified into running, walking, football, basketball or tennis shoes...

Step 2: Compose a topic sentence that provides an overview for the entire paragraph. Each sentence within a paragraph relates to the topic sentence.

!!! Do not announce writing intent with a sentence such as “Now I am writing about sports shoes.” A better example of a topic sentence would be “Before buying sports shoes, decide on your main activity while wearing them.”

Step 3: Develop the classification paragraph’s supporting details with a sentence describing each type within a class.

For example, “For joggers, sports shoes cushion the impact on the runner’s feet, while sports shoes for walkers have slightly different padding.”

***Use transitional phrases as you move from one class to another so that the paragraph has coherence.

Step 4: Compose a closing sentence for the classification paragraph that provides a general statement about the subject.

For example: “The world of sports shoes has a type of shoe for every type and age of person.”

Step 5: Revise your paragraph after setting it aside for a couple hours. More than merely re-reading, look for errors in paragraph structure, sentences and individual words. Look for grammar and punctuation errors and misspellings. (Actually, this step must be done for every type of paragraph and essay.)

Some Useful Expressions For Some Useful Expressions For Classification Paragraphs:Classification Paragraphs:

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

•a kind of:

Coal Coal is a kind ofa kind of non-renewable resource.non-renewable resource.

•a type of: Coal is a type of non-renewable resource.

•be divided into: Energy resources can be divided into two types.

•falls under: Coal falls under the category of non-renewable resources.

•belongs to:Coal belongs to the category of non-renewable resources.

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

• fits into:Coal fits into the category of non-renewable resources.

• grouped with:Coal is grouped with non-renewable resources.

• related to:Coal is related to other non-renewable resources.

• associated with:Coal is associated with other non-renewable resources.