The Classification/Analysis Essay Assignment

About this assignment

Students ask the most questions about the following assignment. You’re already familiar with the concepts in this presentation, but they might be presented in a way you haven’t considered before.

Work your way through the presentation, and as always, I’m here for you if you have questions.

What is classification? (also see p.295 in the RR)

You classify when you group ideas or objects into categories.

Ex: Grocery shoppingEx: M&Ms candyEx: E-mail

Why would we group items or ideas?

1. Helps us understand complex ideasScience fields (botany, zoology,

astronomy)

2. Helps us recognize common characteristics that diverse things share

Example

How do astronomers classify planets?

Journal assignment

Classify the follow topics on your own:

Menu itemsDogsLoveArguments against school uniforms

Journal assignment: possible answers

Types of menu items: Breakfast Lunch

Dinner

Types of dogs:Toy breedsHound breedsWorking breeds

Journal assignment: possible answers

Types of love:Passionate loveBrotherly loveLove for God

Types of arguments against school uniforms:

Financial argumentsBehavioral argumentsSocial arguments

Rules to Remember

Categories can’t be ILLOGICAL:Large dogsMedium dogsSmall dogsFriendly dogs

Rules to Remember

Categories can’t OVERLAP:

I want to group newspapers into 2 categories—those who are interested in the good of the people, and those who are only interested in themselves.

Rules to Remember

Categories shouldn’t leave out the OBVIOUS:

I want to organize types of divorces:The friendly/amiable divorceThe expensive divorceThe cheap divorce?

Topic Ideas for Classification

Types of jazz dance movesTypes of sports strategies, equipment,

players, rules, techniques, athletic successesetc.

Types of low-tech weaponsTypes of baseball bats for the beginnerTypes of testing strategiesTypes of animal testingTypes of business managerial styles

More Ideas

Types of temperamentsTypes of real estate blundersTypes of automotive purchasing blunders,

types of engines for your boat, types of ¼ ton trucks, etc.

Types of organizational strategiesTypes of mistakes dog owners makeTypes of Caribbean vacationsTypes of emotional games couples play

Topic Tip

TIP: Don’t think— “what should I classify?” Instead, come up with a topic. THEN, ask yourself, how might I classify this topic? How might I analyze this topic?

And the other side of the classification

coin . . .

Division (or Analysis)

You divide (or analyze) when you break an idea or object down into smaller “chunks.”

This is different than classification because when you classify, you break down something very large. When you analyze, you break down something specific.

Ex: M&Ms

Why would we analyze?

Because this is how we look at information or objects in deeper ways. Politicians analyze voters Coaches analyze teams Literary critics analyze poetry Businesses analyze customers, trends, clients,

products, sales, etc. Auto enthusiasts analyze the 2009 Chevy Camaro

Practice

How might a doctor analyze a patient?

She might analyze:Medical historyOr ageOr vital signsOr symptomsEtc.

Remember that the reverse of this, classification, could be used as well. A doctor might classify a group of patients by severity of problem, medical history, age, vital signs, symptoms, etc.

Journal assignment

Analyze:A tennis shoe

The appeal of any TV show

The argument for (or against) legalizing marijuana

Journal assignment: possible answers

Analysis of a tennis shoe:

MaterialBrandPurposePrice pointIntended audienceHow it’s madeAthlete endorsement

Labor costsEnvironmental impactAdvertising Country where it’s

madeHistory of productHistory of companyEtc.

Journal assignment: possible answers

Appeal of NBC’s The Office

Dark humorFamiliar office situations

Familiar office personalitiesTalented actorsTalented writers

Topic Ideas for Analysis

Analyze what it takes to be financially independent

Analyze a thing, person, idea, conceptAnalyze an inventionAnalyze a careerAnalyze a problemAnalyze a solution for a problemAnalyze a strategyAnalyze a corporation, business plan,

etc.Analyze a technologyAnalyze ANYTHING!

Essay Criteria

Pick either classification OR analysis3-5 pages3 outside, credible sourcesRemember attachments (checklist, etc.)Avoid slangTry to use mostly 3rd person POVTry to have a more formal writing style