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Writing Handout E-10:
Division-and-Classification Essay Guidelines
Structuring a Division-and-Classification Essay
A classification or division essay groups objects, people, or events into categories by the
characteristics that they share. Usually the writer begins with a group of people or things and then
separates them into subgroups or types. There are a several steps to writing an effective division or
classification essay.
1. Establish a subject
Select at topic that has a general grouping that can be classified or divided into subgroups or
classifications. Examples:
2. Present a clear thesis
Your thesis should inform the reader of the subject of the essay and identify the categories
or groups.
3. Follow an organizational pattern
An outline of your groups and their characteristics will help you write a logical classification
essay. You should include specific details that form a basis of classification.
4. Use transitions
Transitional words help the reader follow your groupings.
5. Draw a conclusion
Restate the thesis and reach a conclusion concerning the group and subgroup. Conclusions
for classification essays offer an opportunity for creativity, including humor or a
recommendation.
Sports Activities
Baseball
Soccer
Tennis
Basketball
Swimming
Music
Country-western
Classical
Rock
Folk
Rhythm and Blues
Florida’s Tourists
Tropical adventurer
Amusement park visitors
Palm Beach set
Daytona Beach fans
Key West travelers
Classification Sample
Title: Note how title relates to essay. Title of essay is not underlined.
Introduction: Introduction guides
reader to the thesis
statement, indicating a
general group (tourists) that will be classified.
First body paragraph: This body paragraph identifies one classification of tourists: the tropical adventurer.
Second body paragraph: This paragraph indicates another group: visitors to theme parks. Note the transition word: "another."
Third body paragraph: Sometimes, a second paragraph may be needed to expand upon an idea or concept..
Florida’s Trapped Tourists
Florida is the nation's virtual melting pot for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that the state is awash in tourist attractions. The Sunshine State's variety of attractions often makes it easy for those who live there to identify and classify the tourists. South Florida's natural attractions hint of adventure; Orlando's theme parks lure families and newlyweds; West Palm Beach promises a snobby, luxurious life-style; and Key West offers hedonistic escapades. One classification of Florida tourists is the tropical adventurer , easily distinguishable by an ever-present camera or video recorder. Although even Floridians occasionally take pictures, cameras provide one clue that someone is a visitor to the state. For example, a man wearing a pith helmet, a fifty-pocket photo vest, Banana Republic shorts, and L.L. Bean super-duty sandals while taking pictures of children looking miserably cute in the glaring sun could be a Floridian; however, if the guy in the pseudo-adventurer garb is telling the children to move closer together so he can include a palm tree, airboat, stuffed alligator, or bikini-clad bimbo, he is a tourist. This man falls into the tropical adventurer category because he is not trying to capture a special moment in his children’s lives, but endeavoring to record a particular object that proves to friends and family that he has indeed led his brood upon a Sunshine State safari. It is always the background that this type is focused on, the proof of tropical adventure. Another type of easily identified tourists includes those drawn like lemmings to the magical, mystical, or confined-animal theme parks. These people may include families or hand-holding, smooching newlyweds. They are all under the impression that a park such as Rodent World is the perfect fun or romantic getaway. These tourists obviously find it fun and romantic to stand in long lines among rude teenagers and whiny toddlers who are constantly being chastised by grumpy, overweight, under-dressed, sweaty parents -- all suffering from the heat and habitual humidity or the punctual afternoon thunderstorms. When the storms do strike, a bizarre scenario unfolds: The individual tourists are transformed into a giant pulsating entity composed of a zillion bright yellow plastic ponchos bearing a portrait of "the Rodent." Battalions of these tourists, all clad in these fourteen-dollar-bright-yellow slickers are a true testament of the Rodent's mass-marketing magic. If it isn't raining, this variety of tourist is distinguishable by goofy-looking hats and T-shirts bearing the likenesses of various princesses, ducks, mice, dogs, chipmunks, or various other “cutesified” critters.
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