1. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS
Divide – to take a single unit and
separate it into its component parts
Classify – to separate many separate
items and group them into categories
according to qualities or characteristics
they share

2. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION Methodology (in general)
Select a subject.
Decide on a principle for grouping the units of your subject—the characteristics and/or behavior of each class or why each one does something.
Establish the groups or classes, which are limited for the scope of this assignment. In other words, there could more than 3 groups.
a. Group 1
b. Group 2
c. Group 3
4. Write about the classes.

3. CLASSIFICATION Writing the Classification Essay (shoppers)
1. Select a subject.
2. Decide on a principle for grouping the units of your subject or
characteristics of each group or why each group does something.
3. Establish the groups or classes.
a. Class one – practical
b. Class two – recreational
c. Class three – shopaholics
4. Write about the classes.

4. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION Formal Outline
First Paragraph: introduction of the thesis. Give background and/or relevant Information, which leads up to the main idea of the essay, the THESIS STATEMENT. This statement should be the last sentence of the paragraph and should include the subject and how it is broken down.
Example of Background information about shopping: The basis for the American free enterprise system allows consumers to get the best price when businesses are in competition with one another. Although consumers must shop around in order to get the most for their money and shopping is not enjoyable for everyone, technology has made it easier for people to be more informed shoppers than in the past. There are all kinds of shoppers, three of whom are the practical, the recreational, and finally, the shopaholics (thesis).
Paragraphs 2-4: Body, which explains the characteristics of the three
shoppers. Make sure that in these three paragraphs you give examples
of how and why they shop.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion. Conclusion with a restatement of the thesis and
a review of the main points of the essay.

5. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION SAMPLE PARAGRAPH 2 (practical shoppers)
Practical shoppers are organized, methodical, and
economical shoppers. They usually shop with a list and
use coupons to get discounts on their merchandise. These
consumers expect to get the most for their money because
they plan in advance for each shopping trip. They live
within their means and are not impulsive shoppers, buying
what they need rather than what they want. Typically, they
shop alone and are on a time schedule. These customers
are willing to pay affordable prices for quality merchandise.
Overall, they expect a company’s prices to be fair to appeal
to middle-class shoppers on a budget.

6. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION SAMPLE PARAGRAPH 2 (recreational shoppers)
Recreational shoppers want to extend the shopping
experience. They like to shop and may overspend,
but they also want to enjoy themselves. They may use
coupons or expect discounts, but they are in no hurry, as
they have allocated enough time for whatever they have
planned. Typically these people shop in groups, and after
they have finished shopping, they may decide to eat a
meal or a snack and perhaps enjoy a movie in the mall.
Moreover, they enjoy group interaction. They may be
talking on their cell phones, viewing photos, and sending
texts to other friends as they shop.

7. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION SAMPLE PARAGRAPH 3 (Shopaholics)
These shoppers are consumed with shopping. They live to spend, and their motto is
spend, spend, spend.” These consumers rarely use cash; instead, they rely on credit
cards. They are typically impulsive shoppers, buying things they want rather than what
they need. Even though these people may have huge credit card debt, they continue to
engage in excessive spending. They frequently make minimum payments only when
they receive their bills, so they will have more money to spend on shopping. They may
decide to use coupons if they have them, but they may buy without them. Regardless of
the situation, they overspend. They may justify their many shopping trips by making
remarks such as “I deserve it,” or “It’s been a tough week.” If their self-esteem is low,
they feel the need to boost it by buying something frivolous. Many shoppers know they
cannot afford their purchases when they make them, but it does not deter their spending.
They may think to themselves, “I have more time to get the money, so I’ll worry about it
later.” However, they fail to realize they may be putting their credit rating at risk because
they pay their bills so slowly or not at all. They are not thinking of the future--only the
present-- and how much they want the merchandise they are focused on buying. They
simply cannot live on a budget, and they refuse to curb their spending. Their excessive
buying habits may cause them to seek credit counseling or ultimately, they may be sued
for their outstanding debts.

8. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION SAMPLE CONCLUSION
Regardless of what type of shopper a person is, shopping is a
necessity in our society. Undoubtedly, technology has made shopping
easier, faster, and offers us more variety than ever before. Moreover,
today’s consumers are more informed about prices of goods and
services because of the comparative shopping on the internet, and
purchases can be made with the click of a mouse and a credit card
without leaving home. The question we may need to ask ourselves is,
“Has the internet made it more convenient for consumers to spend
money?” If we are honest, in our response, it is most certainly “yes,”
but ultimately, it is the consumers’ responsibility to live within their
budget and resist the urge to overspend.

9. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION Format Outline
The following topics listed below are topics that could be classified easily:
teachers groceries customers
clothing animals neighbors
drivers plants liquor

10. CLASSIFICATION Writing the Classification Essay
1. Select a plural subject.
2. Decide on a topic for grouping the units
of your subject.
3. Establish the groups of classes.
Subject Topic Classes
Pet owners why they own companionship
to impress others
security

11. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION Writing the Essay
Subject Topic Classes
Airline flights seating first class, business, coach
Drinkers why people drink to get drunk
to fit in socially
to remove inhibitions; to forget their problems

12. DIVISION/CLASSIFICATION Writing the Essay
Subject Topic Classes
Illegal drugs why people take them curiosity
to fit in socially to raise one’s self-
esteem; to alleviate
a void in their life