Chapter 12 Classification: Establishing Groups

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, classfication 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 Subject

When 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 struggleing. Each of these sets is a classfication sysytem and could be the focus of one paragraph in your essay.

Using a Principle to Avoid Overlapping

All 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 Classes

As 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.

• Subject: Neighbors
• Principles:Neighborhood Involvement
• Classes: Friendly, Meddlesome, Private

• Subject:: Neighbors
• Principles:Yard upkeep
• Classes: Immaculate, neat, messy

• Subject: Neighbors
• Principles:Wealth
• Classes: Affluent, Comfortable, Struggling

Using simple and complex forms

Classification can take two forms: simple and complex. The simple form does not go beyond main division in its grouping.

Subject:Neighbors

Principles:Involvement

Classes:I.Friendly

........... II.Meddlesome

........... III.Private

Complex classification are based on one principle and then subgrouped by another related principle. The following example classifies neighbors by their neighborly involvement. It then subgroups the classes on the basis motive.

I. Friendly

A. Civic-minded

B. WAnt to be accepted

C. Gregarious


II. Meddlesome

A. Controlling

B. Emotionally needy

C. Suspicious of others


III. Private

A. Shy

B. Snobbish

C. Secretive


Notes:

Avoid uninteresting phrases for your classes, such as good/average/bad, fast/medium/slow, and beautiful/ordinart/ugly.

Avoid overlapping classes.

The Toman-numeral parts of your outline will probably indicate your classes.

• Class one
• Class two
• Class three

If you use subclasses, clearly indicate the different levels.

Following your outline, give somewhat equal (however much is appropriate) space to each class.


Source:Brandon, Lee. Brandon, Kelly. Paragraphs and Essays with Integrated Readings, Tenth Edition. Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008