1. Classification Essay

2. Classification Definition  A logical way of thinking that allows us to make sense of a complex world.  A writer organizes, or sorts, things into categories that are easily distinguishable and clear.

4. Real Life  Wal-Mart  Pharmacy vs. Grocery  Wal-Mart vs. Wal-Mart  Grocery Store  Graham crackers vs. Graham cracker crumbs.  Restaurant menus  Entrée vs. sandwiches  Chicken gets its own section?!

5. The point…  Everyone will categorize things in a way that makes sense to them.  You can go out on a limb and try to categorize things in uncommon ways.  Be creative!

6. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#1  Select/Determine the categories.  Choose a topic in which you have background knowledge.  Don’t leave out critical categories.  Tropical water sports: snorkeling, surfing, and sailing  Don’t include too many categories.  Athletic shoes: Running shoes, bowling shoes, high heels

7. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#1a  Classify by a single principle.  Keep the topic narrow and specific  Topic: Tourist water sports – don’t include native water sports such as pearl diving

8. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#2  Apply the principle of classification logically.  Complete:  Is your classification as complete as possible?  Consistent:  Categories/subject should be as exclusive as possible.  Parts/Categories should not be mixed or overlap.  Zoo example pg 234.  Outlines require you to do a rigorous thinking to arrive at classifications that are logical, complete, and consistent.

9. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#3  Prepare an effective thesis.  Subject  Your attitude toward the subject  Suggestion of importance  Plan of development

10. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#4  Organize the paper logically.  Support each category equally  Discuss comparable points in each section  Write the same quantity  Use the same number or examples  Organize your categories in the same order  Use signal devices to connect parts of the essay  A.K.A. Transitions!  What order do you want to put the categories in?  Most significant to least significant  Least significant to most significant

11. Steps to Writing an Effective Classification Essay…#5  State conclusions/recommendations in the final section.  What new insights did you discover while writing?  Analysis of the categories in relation to each other

12. About your essay…  Rubric can be found on…  ReadWriteWorkshop.wikispaces.com

13. Sample topics…  Video Games  Stores in the mall  Jobs for teens  Drivers  Football Divisions  Types of defense/offense  Sports fans  Reality TV shows  Horror movies  Political views  Chocolate  Fiction  Fast Food places  Hobbies  Stamp collecting  Fishing lures  Dancing  School activities  Hunting

14. For tomorrow…  Choose two or three possible topics  Sketch out the categories  Small group discussion  HOTSEAT!