Classification/Division Essay

1. Classification/Division Essay Intro to Expository (Non-fiction) writing

2. Assignment • Write a minimum 1 page (one sided) essay about a topic. (Max amount of pages: 3) You may choose any topic you want as long as it is appropriate and you know a lot about it.

3. Classify • Definition: to arrange or organize by classes; order according to class. • Examples: • In science you classify animals by their species. • In a deck of cards, you classify the cards by their suites: hearts, diamonds, spades, or clovers.

4. Division • Definition: the act or process of dividing; state of being divided. • Examples: • You can divide “shoes” into other categories like heels, flats, loafers, flip-flops, sandals, tennis shoes, cleats, etc.

5. Are they really different? • Not really. They are very similar and it doesn’t matter which one you choose. • Helpful Hint: You see them all the time in magazines and even on TV!

6. What does one look like? • Top 10 lists. For example, “The Ten Best Movies of the Year!” • Style tips. For example, “The Six Hottest Trends of the Summer.” • Articles about teams, bands, etc. For example, “The Spurs’ Starting Line-up.” • General articles. For example, “Essential Skateboarding Tricks.”

7. How to write one: • Introduce the topic by defining it. Hint: It’s better if you create your own definition. • Ballet dancing is graceful expression of movement. It’s sore toes and intense pride. • Skateboarding is life. Everything else is just details.

8. Thesis • Explain what you are going to classify or divide. • Ballet has five basic positions, each assigned a number. • Essential skateboarding tricks include aerials, ollies, flips, and grinds.

9. The rest… • Continue to classify or divide until you have finished. • If you are going to write about ballet, be sure to write about all five positions. • If you are going to write about skateboarding, be sure to describe each trick in detail. • If you are making a top ten list, be sure to explain why each item made the list.