Classification Essay

Classification Essay
What is a Classification Essay?
In a classification essay, a writer organizes, or classifies, things into categories

Three steps to effective classification:
Classify things into useful categories
Make sure all categories follow a single organizing principle.
Category Search
This is a key step in writing a classification essay. To classify, or order, things in a logical way, find the categories in which to put them. For example, let's say you need to sort the stack of papers on your desk. Before you put them in random piles, you should decide what useful categories they might be: tossable papers; papers that need immediate action; papers to read; papers to pass on to other co-workers; or documents to file

Thesis statement of a classification essay
The thesis statement usually includes the topic and how it is classified. Categories are sometimes named

(topic) ... (how they are classified) ... (category) (category) (category)

Ex: Tourists in Hawaii can enjoy three water sports: snorkeling, surfing and sailing .

An effective classification trial
Determine the categories. Be thorough; Don't skip a critical category. For example, if you say that Hawaii's water sports include snorkeling and boating, but omit surfing, your essay will be incomplete because surfing is the most famous water sport in Hawaii. Include too many categories, which will blur your ranking. For example, if your topic is athletic shoes and your organizing principle is activity, you would not include high heels with running shoes and bowling shoes.
Rank according to a single principle. Once you have the categories, make sure they fit on the same organizing principle. The organizing principle is how you classify groups. Don't let a different principle appear unexpectedly. For example, if your unifying principle is "tourism-oriented" water sports, don't use another unifying principle, such as "native water sports," which would have different categories: pearl diving, outrigger, or canoe racing.
Support each category equally with examples. In general, you should write the same amount, that is, give the same number of examples, for each category. The most important category, normally reserved for the last one, may require more elaboration.
Common classification transitions
The first class, the second class, the third class
The first type, the second type, the third type
The first group, the second group, the third group
Remember: In a classification essay, the writer organizes, or orders, things into categories. There are three steps to remember when writing an Effective Classification Essay: organize things into helpful categories, use a unique organizing principle, and give examples of things that fit into each category.

Here are some sample rating essay topics:

US Historical Event Rating
Country Rating (Territory, Popularity, etc.)
Sports Car Rating
Most Popular TV Shows in US
Classification of physiological diseases
You can choose the essay topic for your classification essay that you are familiar with.
Admission Essay Comparison Essay