STRUCTURES: CLASSIFICATION

WITH EXEMPLIFICATION

ENGL 1301Dr. R. RamosRevised 10/29/2014

OVERVIEW DEFINITION Classification answers the question “What are the different kinds of that category of person, place, thing, or idea?” It explains the diversity of a category by explaining three or more major types of that category, one type per body paragraph. The body paragraphs are organized by emphatic (that is, importance) order, from least to most important type or from most to least important.

 

THESIS In a Classification essay, thesis = “different kinds of” + overall opinion of the category + at least three types. For instance, “The different kinds of weird moms in the United States that I’ve encountered are immigrant moms, bible-thumper moms, and cougar moms.”

BODY PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

Intro with Thesis:

I. Body or Section 1: Type 1 – illustrate with one or more descriptive examples

II. Body or Section 2: Type 2 – illustrate with one or more descriptive examples

III.Body or Section 3: Type 3 – illustrate with one or more descriptive examples

Conclusion: Restate Thesis; other comments; end with a strong concluding statement

SUPPORTING DETAILS

Exemplification:

Depending on how personal or impersonal your subject is, your descriptive examples can be personal experiences, facts, statistics, or quotes from witnesses and experts. Whatever your examples are, make sure that they are 1) specific, 2) concrete, and 3) relevant.

Note: Avoid using the pronoun “you” in the Body paragraphs. In less-personal essays, avoid using “I” as well – in those cases, find a substitute person to stand in for you.