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How to Write a Classification Essay: Complete Guide and Popular Topics

Updated 30 Aug 2024

Before delving deep into this theme, it is important to examine these words separately from each other and get a definitive picture of what an essay is, then we would be able to get the importance behind a good classification essay. A paper can be defined as a short piece of written material on any topic or subject; however, in today’s context, the length is no more than the major determinant. Based on what is needed, you can create a short essays or not. Different subjects require another word counts for papers.

What is a Classification Essay? A Brief Overview

Classification is described as the art of arranging together a number of objects that share similar characteristics or source. A classification paper, therefore, deals with the arrangement of several topics or themes in an paper setting, all of them sharing common properties.

This type of writing isn’t popular by demand; most people prefer to go for essay types that they are accustomed to. Students are generally more accustomed to writing reflective, narrative, imaginative and argumentative papers than a classification-related work. But simply by reading classification essay examples , you will see that this type of writing is not as confusing as it might look.

The basic duty of any classification essay is to help organize thoughts and other things into categories where any suggestions or events that are headed in the same direction are placed in one category. This type of writing is also good for giving educative and informative samples of suitable topics that can be used for this paper type.

Why is it essential to create an excellent classification paper? The foremost reason would be to pass the right message across to people who would read and analyse it. The next reason would be for your own personal benefit. If this essay is a top determinant in the grade you will get for a subject, you would want to put it in your best efforts. Also, you would want to avoid getting pointed out for poor calibre work.

Now we would move into explaining the classification essay outline.

Read also: How to Write a Process Essay : Excellent Guide with 10+ Examples

Designing the Perfect Outline For Your Classification Essay

The classification essay outline has the advantage of staying almost similar even as the idea behind essay changes. Having a good outline is critical to the success of any paper – it serves as an informative guide to you and helps you plan your 500 words essay and paragraphs. 

A brilliant outline is usually made up of three solid sections: introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion. It’s imperative you understand what each section entails; this will help you avoid unnecessary editing at the end of a long writing process.

Introduction  

This where you open the floor for the average reader to grasp a basic concept of what your classification essay is about. Here you provide certain pointers that skim through the whole piece without revealing more than needed. The introductory part is designed to get the reader’s attention, get them interested in wanting to do an analysis through the rest of the text willingly. If you are a college student or in your finishing years putting together results of a long-time research project, chances are that your teachers or course co-ordinators will be your audience.

What can be included in an classification writing introduction? For a start, a definition or two would be ideal to set the atmosphere for the rest of the write-up. Some prefer to include their definitions in the first paragraph of the body. But you have to remember that this choice depends more on the type of writing and your preference. There is no specific template for penning the perfect essay.

Main Text 

This is where you get your writing juices flowing. One thing most people do not realize is that it’s quite easy to diverge from the central theme; hence it’s important to focus on the relevant information. 

It consists of paragraphs, each structured to give a critical discourse of a fact or your opinion on a subject. In a classification paper, the aim of the text would be, without doubt, to lay out various categories related to the theme of discussion, and probably explain why some objects are a better fit for one division or the other. Your text should be able to explain fully all points that may have been raised. 

If you compare systems that classify things, for example, you might want to highlight differences between previous and modern systems and add some words on the influence both systems had on whatever they were used to classify.

Conclusion 

A classification essay conclusion must be as concise as the introduction. Apart from wrapping up the whole text, the purpose of a conclusion is to identify any new lessons that may have been learnt in classifying things. A concluding paragraph is no place for a fresh set of ideas and arguments; the paper is supposed to end there - and end there.

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How to Write a Classification Essay: Detailed Plan

Having considered parts in this type of write-up, we will now talk on how to write a classification essay. Let’s look at it from three sides.

Choosing a topic for a classification writing

When you are choosing a theme, there are a few things you can do. One of them is to find out what you personally like. It’s easier for people to organize concepts centered around what interests them than writing on themes they have no interest or connection to.

Another thing you can do is choose from themes that are known to have quality coverage, i.e., you can always find secondary data related to whatever you need to classify. This becomes a big help if you are a high school student asked to do such academic writing.

Subjects to write on

It is essential to choose a subject matter that can be of social relevance, something that is relatable for everyone. It will also help if the subject you choose to write on contains new information that contributes to improving professional knowledge. This is especially good when you are writing about methods that classify words related to complex and volatile study fields like Medicine, Law, Engineering, and so on.

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Building up the main body of the text: things to remember

• Try not to jump around an idea. This applies to all papers you will ever create. Always go straight to the main idea you are trying to elaborate on. Be sure you do your maximum best to describe different points, and always explain your stand when any part of the write-up requires your input.
• Clearly, indicate where your paragraphs begin and end your classification paper. Do not put your words in an endless stream. It would confuse people, even those who have gone far in school study.
• Check your grammar and punctuation. This should be as clear as day.
• Keep to the number of words. If instructions specify a certain amount of characters (letters, numbers et al.) be cautious to observe the count. Precision is always rewarded.
• Do not use words that question your confidence regarding classifications, namely ‘maybe, probably,’ ‘I guess,’ etc. They are a big turn-off.

Read also: Useful Tips On How To Write A Short Essay

Classification Essay Topics

There are a number of topics one can choose from. We would examine some of the best from three categories.

Classification Essay Topics about Music

• All About Genres: Types and Origins
• Exploring Types of Rock Music
• The Music Eras: Categories and Durations
• A Cross-Section on Different Types of Rap Music
• A Comparison Between Subdivisions of Slow-Paced Music
• An Assessment of Different Subdivisions of Fast-Paced Music
• Understanding Harmony: Classifying Parts
• Classifications of Music Based on Dynamics and Tone
• Different Styles of Music: From Classics to Jazz
• Identifying Generations of Music Composers

Topics of Classification Paper about Movies

• An Expose on Movie Genres in the 21st Century.
• An Overview of Work Behind Scenes – Different Stages of Film Production.
• Understanding the Evolution of Screen Cameras Over the Years.
• An Introduction to the Concept of Copyright: Types and Uses.
• Anime vs. Animated Movies: Understanding Types of Graphics Used for Screen Effects.
• Roles of Different Members of the Production Crew in Final Touches of a Film.
• In the Book and on the Screen: Why Some Book Storylines are Altered for the Big Screen.
• Classification of Roles in a Film – and why the Lead Actor isn’t Always Acting the Hard Part.
• Getting Ideas: Different Ways of Producing on a Movie Set.
• Categories of Film Tricks Used in Movies.

Classification Essay Topics on Sports

• Types of Ball Games in Different Countries.
• Subdivisions of the Olympic Games.
• Understanding Volleyball: Types of Serves.
• The Origin of Different Swimming Styles.
• Working by Lines – Categories of Referees.
• A Day In the Duration of Various Types of Track Events.
• Between Shotput and Javelin: An Example of Unequal Strengths.
• Rules of the Tennis Court: Serving Styles and Origins.
• Between Karate and Boxing: Other Related but Unknown Sporting Practices.
• Types of Services That Function During a Sports Event.

Summarize What is Written in Your Classification Paper

Like every other paper, classification writing can pose difficulties especially for students who do not often get enough time to focus, find information and compile needed data. But this can be taken care of thanks to Edubirdie, a respectable writing service that has been in the business for a long time and we know who can pay someone to write my paper. Our team of scholarship essay writing service experts handle a large selection of process, definition, scholarship papers and are competent enough to help you out with a classification essay as well. Should you ever need help, give us a buzz.

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A classification essay is a type of academic essay that categorizes a topic into distinct groups based on shared characteristics or criteria. The writer's purpose is to create a clear organization of information. Classification should be logical, making it easier for readers to remember the information being presented.

Let us guess: your professor asked you to write a classification essay. But they didn't explain how to even write one, did they? They often drop students like that as a part of self-learning. That's exactly why you're here! Writing a classification essay requires research. And making sure you've got enough information, you must double check what you've already gathered. Besides, classifying may sound simple, but it takes discipline and logical thinking. Putting thoughts into words and all that… What a task! But we heard a little rumor that those who continue reading would master classification papers. It's time for you to see if this rumor is true!  

What Is a Classification Essay: Definition

Classification essay doesn’t want to hide its essence, considering its name. But the primary goal of this type of article is to classify. Now, what you want to rank is up to you or your professor. Your main goal is to select topics and later put them into categories. The primary purpose of this type of essay is to show your skills in categorisation and generalization. We can take food as a good and tasty example. For instance, apples and oranges belong to the fruit category, while cucumbers will definitely be vegetables. As for avocado, you have to do the research and classify this type of food. Nevertheless, you’ll definitely need to write one of those essays during your college. So to master academic and classification writing, keep reading!  

How to Write a Classification Essay

We will start by teaching you how to write a classification essay. In this case, preparation is our little saving grace. So before you begin the actual writing, typing, or scribbling, it’s a good idea to think about the overall essence of your article. For starters, here are several valuable tips worth remembering:

• Select a type of organization (you can use tables, documents, or anything that will help you in organizing your work).
• Choose your categories for classification.
• Make sure that each category is distinct and clear.
• Include different examples for visualization.

These several steps will be handy for writing a thesis and starting your introduction. Buy essay papers online once you want good results with as little time spent as possible.

Developing an Effective Classification Essay Thesis Statement

Like with other articles, the classification essay thesis is one of the most vital parts of your work. A good thing worth keeping in mind is that your thesis is the last statement of your introduction. It also determines whether your audience will continue reading your article. Here are several things you should follow to write a good thesis:

• Summarize your work.
• Identify your main topic, objective, or goal of your essay.
• Above all, make readers understand what point you’re making and what your paper is gonna be about.
• Mention the categories you have chosen.

If you can nail our list given above, congratulations, you’ve got yourself an outstanding thesis.

Classification Essay Outline

Creating a classification essay outline is one of the easiest ways to approach an excellent classification paper. It’s true that it requires a lot of research and remembering. You will not only have to write about a single subject but group topics into categories. In order to do it correctly and understandably for the reader, it’s best if you use an outline. First and foremost, your essay should follow a traditional five paragraph essay format structure. It should have a minimum of three paragraphs. But typically, professors prefer around five. So your introduction must initially include an introduction, several body paragraphs depending on the length of your article, and a conclusion. In your body paragraphs outline, it’s a good idea to describe the groups you will include in your article. So your first paragraph will group fruits according to their color, while the second one can use nutrition for a classification. This will help you to remember your points before writing.  

How to Start a Classification Essay: Introduction

Classification essay introduction is very similar to any other introduction you have probably written. You should never forget that you are writing for an audience. Doesn’t really matter if your reader is your professor or some person online. The rules of good writing apply to any kind of paper. The first thing worth doing is introducing your overall concept. There is no need to give all the information at once. Just start with something more general and narrow it down later to a thesis we’ve talked about. Make sure that you also include the relevant information. Using our previous metaphor, if you’re talking about fruits, maybe mentioning vegetables will not be a good idea. Besides, staying on one topic will help you to write more clearly. And that’s our final requirement for your introduction.  

Body Paragraphs of a Classification Essay

Classification essay's main body commonly has around 1-3 paragraphs. But don't forget to ask your professor about the length. The important thing to remember is that you are classifying items in your work. In order to achieve precise and successful organization, your body paragraphs must be concise. Each body paragraph should focus on a certain group. You're not making mashed potatoes. So stacking all of your ideas in one section would create a mess. Keep it simple in terms of structure:  

• Paragraph 1 — fruits organized by their color
• Paragraph 2 — fruits arranged by expert location
• Paragraph 3 — fruits ordered by size or shape

A simple and understandable organization will make your writing sharp. And your readers will definitely say thank you!

Classification Essay Conclusion

A classification essay conclusion is, just like always, crème de la crème of any article. At this point, your reader knows everything you were telling them. They know all your data, issues, and ideas. Thus, quickly summarizing what they’ve read in your body paragraphs will help a lot. But the last thing to do is organize your conclusion while leaving an impression. Now, their impressions can be different. However, your readers must think about your work for at least some time. So your conclusion must end with something intriguing like the possible future of your topic or piece of mind for the readers. Just don’t include any new information, and you’ll do fantastically!  

Classification Essay Writing: Useful Tips

Even with our help, classification essay writing is challenging. So we prepared for you several good tips that will help you improve and ease your academic life. Check them out:  

• Define the purpose of the article before you start writing.
• Avoid popular and often used topics.
• Write down a number of topics before picking one. (We have a list of classification essay topics at your disposal.)
• Choose a subject that will be personally interesting for you.
• Remember that you are also writing for someone else who might not know everything about your topic.
• Edit and proofread your work.
• Take a break from writing once in a while and come back with a fresh mind and new look.
• Don’t try writing about everything simultaneously. Instead, focus on one category and lead with it.

With these steps, we can definitely say that you’re ready.

Classification Essay Examples

How could we leave you without classification essay samples? You’re right; we couldn’t. Check out this example. Keep in mind that our examples always have characteristics that we talked about. So you can read the sample and return back for this article or do some revision. It will help you a lot. What are you waiting for? You can find the example right here. Or simply buy essay for college to avoid any hard work this evening. 

Classification Essay: Bottom Line

Who knew that  writing a classification essay  wasn’t that hard? We did, and now you know that, too. You have everything it takes to create an excellent paper. You know that:  

• Your thesis is the most essential part of the essay.
• The introduction must contain general information on the subject.
• Body paragraphs must be carefully organized.
• A conclusion should leave an impression without including new information.

But if you’re still looking for proficient help, our academic writing services got you covered. Our writers do excellent research before writing a paper and deliver high-quality results. We are also proud of our timely delivery of the papers.

FAQ about Classification Essays

1. what is the purpose of a classification essay.

The purpose of a classification essay is to organize and classify. In the beginning, you have several unique items. They indeed have some things in common. So your job is to identify in what categories they fit best. After doing the research and careful learning, you must put everything you have gathered into words. But still, keep in mind that the second purpose is to make your essay and classification clear to the reader.

2. How long is a classification essay?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to classification essay length. Everything will depend on the guidelines. Usually, such articles are 3 to 5 paragraphs long. Their minimum is always an introduction, one body paragraph, and conclusion. However, professors definitely enjoy 5 paragraphs as a standard length. But you always need to remember that the essay should be long enough to provide necessary information for the reader. Or it must be short enough not to drag it out.

3. What is the difference between a division and classification essay?

Division and classification essays are only slightly different. The items you choose for classification essays must belong to strict and certain categories. They cannot overlap or belong to two different groups. On the other hand, division essays allow the subjects to move from one group to another. They might be divided into different groups or categories and thus overlap.

4. What are different types of classification?

There are several types of classification. Depending on the particular topic, you can choose a specific type that fits the best. Here’s what you can choose from:

• Spatial classification (location, place and so on).
• Chronological (you must take time and dates into consideration).
• Classification by attributes (qualitative).
• Classification by size (quantitative with numbers and statistics).

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10.4 Classification

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of the classification essay.
• Understand how to write a classification essay.

The Purpose of Classification in Writing

The purpose of classification is to break down broad subjects into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. We classify things in our daily lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. Cell phones, for example, have now become part of a broad category. They can be classified as feature phones, media phones, and smartphones.

Smaller categories, and the way in which these categories are created, help us make sense of the world. Keep both of these elements in mind when writing a classification essay.

Choose topics that you know well when writing classification essays. The more you know about a topic, the more you can break it into smaller, more interesting parts. Adding interest and insight will enhance your classification essays.

On a separate sheet of paper, break the following categories into smaller classifications.

• The United States
• Colleges and universities

The Structure of a Classification Essay

The classification essay opens with an introductory paragraph that introduces the broader topic. The thesis should then explain how that topic is divided into subgroups and why. Take the following introductory paragraph, for example:

When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York state, it is helpful to break it into these five separate regions: Long Island, New York City, Western New York, Central New York, and Northern New York.

The underlined thesis explains not only the category and subcategory but also the rationale for breaking it into those categories. Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show his or her readers a different way of considering the state.

Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph.

The conclusion should bring all the categories and subcategories back together again to show the reader the big picture. In the previous example, the conclusion might explain how the various sights and activities of each region of New York add to its diversity and complexity.

To avoid settling for an overly simplistic classification, make sure you break down any given topic at least three different ways. This will help you think outside the box and perhaps even learn something entirely new about a subject.

Using your classifications from Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” , write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose to organize each main category in the way that you did.

Writing a Classification Essay

Start with an engaging opening that will adequately introduce the general topic that you will be dividing into smaller subcategories. Your thesis should come at the end of your introduction. It should include the topic, your subtopics, and the reason you are choosing to break down the topic in the way that you are. Use the following classification thesis equation:

topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis.

The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics. Each body paragraph is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subtopics. In a way, coming up with a strong topic pays double rewards in a classification essay. Not only do you have a good topic, but you also have a solid organizational structure within which to write.

Be sure you use strong details and explanations for each subcategory paragraph that help explain and support your thesis. Also, be sure to give examples to illustrate your points. Finally, write a conclusion that links all the subgroups together again. The conclusion should successfully wrap up your essay by connecting it to your topic initially discussed in the introduction. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample classification essay.

Building on Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.46 “Exercise 2” , write a five-paragraph classification essay about one of the four original topics. In your thesis, make sure to include the topic, subtopics, and rationale for your breakdown. And make sure that your essay is organized into paragraphs that each describes a subtopic.

Key Takeaways

• The purpose of classification is to break a subject into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts.
• Smaller subcategories help us make sense of the world, and the way in which these subcategories are created also helps us make sense of the world.
• A classification essay is organized by its subcategories.

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