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The Classification Essay

This video will discuss how to write an ‘A’ grade classification essay. In your classification essay you will put people, places or things into groups, categories or types based on a common property.

So, classification deals with groups, categories or types.
The writer states the topic or subject to be classified, the basis of classification and the categories of the classification in a thesis sentence. Then the writer compares and contrasts the subcategories of the topic with each other in the supporting paragraphs.

Follow these steps to write your ‘A’ grade classification essay.

STEP 1: Forming your thesis:

a) Choose a topic (Who or what do you want to classify?)

For example: Roommates - This essay is for college students.

The purpose is to acquaint college students with the types of roommates.

b) Focus your topic: Types of college roommates

c) Choose a single organizing principle
You decide to put college roommates into groups or categories based on sociability.
d) Basis of classification: Sociability
Further, in relation to their sociability you need to decide how many categories you can place college roommates into. Your categories should not overlap.

e) Collect relevant information either through brainstorming and/or research based on the following categories.


Types of college roommates based on sociability


Those who love social interaction - Seek out social stimulation, outgoing, excitability, enjoy being the center of attention, thrive around people

Those who are social isolates - Feel comfortable being alone, need quiet to concentrate, never connect with people

Those who society will isolate - Are toxic, ongoing pattern of unhealthy behavior, consistently negative, leave you emotionally wiped out, selfish and manipulative


f) Frame the topic as a question: What are the different types of college roommates based on sociability?

g) Answer your question. The answer is your thesis.


After reading of the gamut of roommates, I have decided that based on sociability, college roommates can be classified as: those who love social interaction, those who are social isolates and those who society will isolate.


Evaluate your thesis:

What key words or phrases describe your topic area?
Have you placed those key words into your thesis?

Your thesis should fulfill the following characteristics.
1. It states your purpose for writing this essay.
2. It is a clear statement about your topic, and it breaks the topic into points.
3. It lists those specific points in the order in which you will discuss them.
4. It comes somewhere in the introductory paragraph (usually at the end).


STEP 2: Outline your essay
Ensure that you have divided your classification essay into at least THREE major areas. Each major area must correspond to a paragraph that elaborates the classification and states the characteristics of what fits into each category.

Introduction - Begin with a hook, followed by background information and end with a thesis.

First supporting paragraph – Create a topic sentence using the first key word. Highlight specific details that relate to the first group.

Second supporting paragraph – Create a topic sentence using the second key word. Highlight specific details that relate to the second group. Compare/contrast the sub-categories.
Third supporting paragraph

Third supporting paragraph - Create a topic sentence using the third key word or phrase. Highlight specific details that relate to the third group. Compare/contrast the sub-categories.

Concluding paragraph - Wrap up your essay or summarize and leave your reader with a sense of completion.

STEP 3: Write a draft –
You should have at least five paragraphs.


STEP 4: Revising / Editing:
Ask Yourself?
• Do I have a basis for my classification?
• Have I ensured that my categories do not overlap?
• Have I ensured that all paragraphs develop the thesis?
• Have I repeated key words to create unity and coherence?
• Have I used transitions: Some transitions used in the classification essay are the first category (class, etc.), the second group (kind, etc.), for example, for instance, are divided into, can be classified as, etc.
• Is my grammar accurate?
• Have I ensured that my spelling is correct?