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 shopping Ex: M&Ms candy Ex:

Why would we group items or ideas? 1. Helps us understand complex ideas  Science 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 items  Dogs  Love  Arguments against school uniforms

Journal assignment: possible answers Types of menu items:  Breakfast  Lunch  Dinner Types of dogs: Toy breeds Hound breeds Working breeds

Journal assignment: possible answers Types of love: Passionate love Brotherly love Love for God Types of arguments against school uniforms: Financial arguments Behavioral arguments Social arguments

Rules to Remember Categories can’t be ILLOGICAL:  Large dogs  Medium dogs  Small dogs  Friendly 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 divorce  The expensive divorce  The cheap divorce  ?

Topic Ideas for Classification Types of jazz dance moves Types of sports strategies, equipment, players, rules, techniques, athletic successesetc. Types of low-tech weapons Types of baseball bats for the beginner Types of testing strategies Types of animal testing Types of business managerial styles

More Ideas Types of temperaments Types of real estate blunders Types of automotive purchasing blunders, types of engines for your boat, types of ¼ ton trucks, etc. Types of organizational strategies Types of mistakes dog owners make Types of Caribbean vacations Types 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 history Or age Or vital signs Or symptoms Etc. 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: Material Brand Purpose Price point Intended audience How it’s made Athlete endorsement Labor costs Environmental impact Advertising Country where it’s made History of product History of company Etc.

Journal assignment: possible answers Appeal of NBC’s The Office  Dark humor  Familiar office situations  Familiar office personalities  Talented actors  Talented writers

Topic Ideas for Analysis Analyze what it takes to be financially independent Analyze a thing, person, idea, concept Analyze an invention Analyze a career Analyze a problem Analyze a solution for a problem Analyze a strategy Analyze a corporation, business plan, etc. Analyze a technology Analyze ANYTHING!

Essay Criteria Pick either classification OR analysis 3-5 pages 3 outside, credible sources Remember attachments (checklist, etc.) Avoid slang Try to use mostly 3 rd person POV Try to have a more formal writing style