11th. classification organization

UNIVERSITAS INDRAPRASTA PGRI

Nugroho, M.Pd.

Classification Essay

It is an essay that classifies, sorts, or groups ideas or things into categories in a logical way.

Purpose: To make things easier to understand.


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Classification organization

In classification essay, information is organized into meaningful categories or groups and each

follows a single, unifying principle.


Nugroho, M.Pd.Nugroho, M.Pd.

The Introduction

• The hook introduces the information to be classified• Background information includes a general statement

or statements that give a broader picture of the subject matter to be discussed

• The thesis statement contains the topic and controlling idea for the whole essay. It tells what is being classified and how it is being organized.


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The Body• The topic sentece clearly describes the category or group

in each paragraph. It supports and expands the thesis statement and the controlling idea that are stated in the introduction. The topic sentece is often the first sentece of the paragraph.

• One category or group is described in each paragraph. The information in each paragraph is ordered logically, for example in order of importance or in chronological order.

• The supporting details can be descriptions, definitions, examples, anecdotes, statistics, or quotations that elaborate on the topic sentence.

• The concluding sentence may either bring the idea of the paragraph to a close or suggest the content of the next paragraph.


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The conclusion

It restates the content of each paragraph.It may make a prediction, give advice or make general statement


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Classifying with groups

Park ranger, interpreter, civil engineer, linguist, landscaper, surveyor, architect, farmer, speech terapist

Japan, Europe, France, Indonesia, Switzerland, Italy, Vietnam, Africa


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Two of the most common types of classification are

1. By degree (importance), from lower to higher

2. By chronology, in time periods


Nugroho, M.Pd.

To classify on the basis of degree (importance) means to judge value.

– Good (C grades are good)– Better (B grades are better)– Best (A grades are best)


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Another way to classify on the basis of degree (importance) would be as follows:

– Small (small size cars)– Medium (medium size cars)– Large (large size cars)


Nugroho, M.Pd.

An example of how to classify cell phones based on degree (importance):

– Good (Motorola)– Better (Sony)– Best (Nokia)


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Another example of how to classify cell phones based on degree:

– Cheap (Cell phones without camera)– Affordable (Cell phones with camera)– Expensive (Cell phones with camera & MP3 Player)


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• You also can write classifications by Chronology (time periods)

– For example, history can be divided as1. Ancient2. Middle Ages3. Modern


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Another example of classification by time period:

1. Past (past forms of travel)2. Present (present forms of travel)3. Future (future forms of travel)


Nugroho, M.Pd.

When you’re classifying, don’t leave anyone or anything out.

• Look for obvious missing elements.– Say the writing prompt is “What kind of students are

there in your math class?”– You answer: “Fast and slow learners.”– But what about the average learners?– After all, you need three categories!


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Rarely will everyone or everything fit in perfectly in your categories.

• Then admit that there are variations and complications in the categories.

– Although all cell phones could be classified as being cheap or expensive, you must still find a middle point such as “affordable” cell phones.


Nugroho, M.Pd.

Organize your thesis statement with parallelism:

• “Most people respond in one of three ways: eagerly, indifferently, or reluctantly.”

• Notice that each categorical word is in the same grammar form: adverbs.

• Don’t mix and match the terminology!


Nugroho, M.Pd.

What kind of classification is this?

• “Teachers can be classified in three different ways; conservatively, fashionably, or casually.”

• The teachers here can be classified according to _______________?


Nugroho, M.Pd.

What kind of classification is this?

• “Cell Phones can be classified in three different ways; cheap, affordable, or expensive.”

• The cell phones here can be classified according to _______________?

11th. classification organization

Education