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Classification Essay: A Quick Guide with Examples

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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. 

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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.

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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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How to Write a Classification Essay?

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Classification essay is comparable to painting creation - an artist works on a specific structure that holds the picture’s elements together and glues different layers to create a powerful visual effect. The same principle applies to a writing piece, in which the central role is devoted to getting things in order. In this article, we’ll discuss the main features and components of a great classification essay and share some tips and tricks on how to take your piece of writing to the next level.

Classification Essay

Classification essay definition

We bet the first thing you want to know concerning the topic is what is a classification essay? This is the task which you’ll most likely deal with at some point in your student life. The essence of this assignment is related to categorization and generalization. Remember these two words because they form the true meaning of classification essay. Also, division and classification are those elements of this essay type which highly correlate and have equal importance for essay creation. Therefore, the main task here is to organize or sort things into categories.

Classification Essay Writing

How to write a classification essay 

Careful attention to planning marks the indication of quality in terms of classification essay. At this point, the main task is to learn how to structure the paper. The length of an article may vary, but the most frequently used “five paragraphs” method is typically applied for classification writing. What does this structure suggest? It has to do with a logical division of your essay into blocks and categories, every one of which should clarify a particular issue.

The first and one of the essential paragraphs is the introductory one. It’s an opening which illuminates the matter you’re going to discuss and the subject you’ll categorize. Besides, you can outline the purpose of your classification essay to readers to bring more clarity into the discussion. Answer the question of why you are categorizing the chosen items and what criteria you use for each of them. Then, you’ll need to close the introduction paragraph with a thesis. It will briefly sum up the objective of your classification and division essay, and identify the categories which you’ll be using for a paper.

The second part is the essay body. Here, a couple of paragraphs are applicable, preferably 3 and more. The most critical nuance you should remember while composing a body is that each paragraph will deal with a separate category. The best way to organize the central part of your division essay is to explain the criteria for each category and desirably, discuss strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, you should include examples that’ll back up your statements with a piece of evidence. Notably, there should be an equal amount of examples for every category to spread the evidence evenly. If your paragraphs in the main body are lengthy, you can also divide them into shorter ones to create a smooth transition between the blocks of text and improve readability.

The final paragraph of your classification essay is a conclusion. The closing statements will sum up the different categories highlighted in the body. Also, it’s advisable to restate each category and advise readers on the subject matter. However, if you choose to recommend this or that topic over the others, don’t forget to state the reason for your stance. This way, readers will take into account your well-grounded explanation, which is deprived of subjectivity, and make relevant conclusions for themselves.

Classification Essay Structure

Apart from the basic understanding of classification essay structure , you should also get prepared for the writing process. For many, implementing theory on practice is even more challenging than the stage of composing an essay. Nonetheless, with enough patience and endurance, this process is really not so bad after all. So, what steps do you need to make in order to prepare well for classification paper writing?

First things first, planning is everything when it comes to the assignment that implies classification. Without a clear and coherent plan, there’s no way you can write a good paper. Therefore, make sure that you have a robust scheme before writing your essay. For this, proceed with the following planning steps:

  • Generate Ideas. Evidently, your essay won’t write itself. If your professor has not assigned you a specific topic, it’s time to do some brainstorming. Remember – you need to choose a group of people, things, or ideas that can be easily divided into categories and then compared.
  • Choose Your Classification Method. Aim at one principle for classification for each category you describe. For example, if you write about people, you can categorize them by age, gender, appearance, or other factors. This will help you better structure your essay and make it look more organized in the eyes of readers.
  • Create a Thesis Statement. As previously mentioned, the thesis statement is the element which closes the introduction of your classification essay. It should include such information as the subject matter, the categories, and the criteria used to classify each category. Besides, you can note down the purpose of your division into these categories.

Preparation for Classification Essay

Classification essay outline

The outline is a general description or plan that schematically displays the main points of your essay. The main point of an outline is to help you see the structure of your essay and use it as a useful guide for writing. Usually, a typical outline describes the essence of each point in one sentence. Also, bullet points are not uncommon, so you can use them to arrange a plan the way you feel is the most appropriate.

Classification essay topics

There is a plethora of themes and subjects for division classification essays to choose from, but most of them are hard to think of straight away. That’s why we’ve collected the list of the top used classification topics for you to facilitate the process of generating ideas or searching for ones elsewhere.

  • The most popular devices students use nowadays
  • Colors and their meaning in the paintings of Frida Kahlo
  • The evolution of rock-music types
  • Standard methods students use to prepare for exams
  • Public speakers that have moved the world  
  • Unique factors to determine a successful relationship  
  • How to improve child-parent relationships
  • Main motives to start a political career
  • Learning techniques for college students
  • Types of TV comedy shows
  • Traveling destinations
  • The main types of mobile applications
  • Communication possibilities online
  • Strategies for making decisions in business
  • Leadership and leader types
  • Conflicts at the job and ways to cope with them
  • The motivation for doing sports
  • Methods to reduce stress

No matter which theme you choose for your classification essay and what techniques you implement to make them elaborated, remember always to keep the structure in mind. The first step to writing this type of assignment is not just sitting and jotting down detached ideas, but planning out clear statements which can later be transmitted on paper. Hopefully, our advice will help you on the way to writing an excellent classification essay which your professor will mark with an A+ grade.

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How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

Basic Approaches to Drafting a Five-Paragraph Essay

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Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. After you have settled on a topic for a classification essay * and explored it through various prewriting strategies, you should be ready to attempt a first draft . Here is how to develop and organize a five-paragraph classification essay .

Introductory Paragraph

In your introduction , clearly identify your subject — in this case, the group you are classifying. If you have narrowed your subject in any way (for example, types of bad drivers, rock guitarists, or annoying moviegoers), make this clear from the start.

You may also want to provide some specific descriptive or informative details to attract the interest of your readers and suggest the purpose of the essay .

Finally, include a thesis sentence (usually at the end of the introduction) that briefly identifies the main types or approaches that you're about to examine. 

Intro Paragraph Example: Baseball Fans

Here's an example of a short but effective introductory paragraph to a classification essay:

It's a warm evening in July, and all across the country Americans are gathering to watch a game of professional baseball. Armed with hot dogs and cold drinks, they stroll to their seats, some in grand stadiums, others in cozy minor-league parks. But no matter where the game is played, you will find the same three types of baseball fan: the Party Rooter, the Sunshine Supporter, and the Diehard Fan.

Notice how this introduction creates certain expectations. The specific details provide a setting (a ballpark on "a warm evening in July") in which we expect to see the various fans described. In addition, the labels assigned to these fans (the Party Rooter , the Sunshine Supporter , and the Diehard Fan ) lead us to expect descriptions of each type in the order they're given. A good writer will go on to fulfill these expectations in the body of the essay.

Body Paragraphs

Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that identifies a particular type of approach. Then  illustrate each type with specific details.

Arrange your body paragraphs in whatever order strikes you as clear and logical — say, from the least effective approach to the most effective, or from the most common type to the least familiar (or the other way around). Just make sure that the order of your body paragraphs matches the arrangement promised in your thesis sentence.

Body Paragraphs Example: Types of Fans

Here, in the body of the essay on baseball fans, you can see that the writer has fulfilled the expectations set up in the introduction. (In each body paragraph, the topic sentence is in italics.)

The Party Rooter goes to games for the hot dogs, the gimmicks, the giveaways, and the companionship; he's not really that interested in the ballgame itself. The Party Rooter is the sort of fan who shows up on Buck-a-Brew Night, often with a gang of fellow partiers. He cracks jokes, hurls peanuts at the team mascot, applauds the exploding scoreboard, blasts an electronic horn whenever he pleases—and occasionally nudges a companion and asks, "Hey, who's winning?" The Party Rooter often wanders out of the park in the sixth or seventh inning to continue his celebrations in the car on the way home. The Sunshine Supporter, usually a more common type than the Party Rooter, goes to the park to cheer on a winning team and bask in its glory. When the home side is on a winning streak and still in contention for a playoff spot, the stadium will be packed with this sort of fan. As long as her team is winning, the Sunshine Supporter will be roaring at every play, waving her pennant and shouting out the names of her heroes. However, as the name implies, the Sunshine Supporter is a fickle fan, and her cheers quickly turn to boos when a hero strikes out or drops a line drive. She will stay around until the end of the game to celebrate a victory, but should her team fall a few runs behind, she's likely to slip out to the parking lot during the seventh-inning stretch.​ Diehard Fans are also strong supporters of the local team, but they go to the park to watch good baseball, not just to root for a winner.  More attentive to the game than other fans, Diehards will study the stance of a power hitter, note the finesse of a quick fielder, and anticipate the strategy of a pitcher who has fallen behind in the count. While the Party Rooter is chugging a beer or dropping wisecracks, Diehards may be filling in a scorecard or commenting on a player's RBI tally over the past few months. And when a Sunshine Supporter boos an opposing player for tagging out a local hero, Diehards may be quietly applauding the expert moves of this "enemy" infielder. No matter what the score is, Diehard Fans remain in their seats until the last batter is out, and they may still be talking about the game long after it's over.​

Comparisons Ensure Cohesion

Notice how the writer uses comparisons to ensure cohesion in the body of the essay. The topic sentence in both the second and third paragraphs refers to the preceding paragraph. Likewise, in the third body paragraph, the writer draws explicit contrasts between the Diehards and the other two types of baseball fans.

Such comparisons not only provide smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next but also reveal the sympathies of the writer. He begins with the type of fan he likes the least and ends with the one he most admires. We now expect the writer to justify his attitudes in the conclusion.

Concluding Paragraph

The concluding paragraph gives you an opportunity to draw together the various types and approaches you have been examining in the body of the essay. You may choose to offer a final brief comment on each one, summarizing its value or its limitations. Or you may want to recommend one approach over the others and explain why. In any case, make sure that your conclusion clearly emphasizes the purpose of your classification.

Concluding Paragraph: Only the Diehard Fans Remain

In the concluding paragraph to "Baseball Fans," consider whether the author has been successful in his effort to tie his observations together.

Professional baseball would have trouble surviving without all three types of fans. The Party Rooters provide much of the money that owners need to hire talented players. The Sunshine Supporters bring a stadium to life and help boost the morale of the home team. But only the Diehard Fans maintain their support all season long, year in and year out. By late September in most ballparks, enduring chilly winds, rain delays, and sometimes humiliating losses, only the Diehards remain.

Connecting the Conclusion to the Introduction

Notice how the writer hooks his conclusion back to the introduction by contrasting the chilly night in September with the warm evening in July. Connections such as this help to unify an essay and give it a sense of completeness.

As you develop and organize your draft , experiment with various strategies, but keep this basic format in mind: an introduction that identifies your subject and the different types of approaches; three (or more) body paragraphs that rely on specific details to describe or illustrate the types; and a conclusion that draws your points together and makes the overall purpose of the classification clear.

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Ultimate guide to writing a classification essay, carla johnson.

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When it comes to writing an essay, you can choose from many different kinds. A classification essay is one type of essay you might be asked to write. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay.

A classification essay is a type of academic writing in which things, people, or ideas are put into groups based on the things they have in common. The goal of a classification essay is to help readers understand a complicated topic better by breaking it down into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces.

It’s important to write a classification essay for more than one reason. First, it lets you show how well you can analyze and organize information in a way that makes sense. Second, it helps you learn how to think critically because you have to judge and compare different things or ideas. Lastly, it can help readers who are trying to understand a complicated topic by breaking it up into smaller pieces.

In the sections that follow, we’ll give you a step-by-step plan for how to write a good classification essay. By following these rules, you’ll be able to write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into clear categories and gives your readers useful information.

What You'll Learn

Understanding the Elements of a Classification Essay

To write a successful classification essay, it is important to understand the elements that make up this type of academic writing. These include:

– Definition of classification: Classification is the process of organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics. In a classification essay, you will use this process to group your topic into different categories that you will then explore in detail.

– Types of classification: There are several different ways to classify items or ideas, including by physical characteristics , function, importance, and chronological order. The type of classification you choose will depend on the specific topic you are exploring and the purpose of your essay .

– The importance of classification in writing a classification essay: Classification is a crucial element of a classification essay, as it allows you to effectively organize your ideas and present them in a way that is logical and easy to understand. By categorizing your topic, you will be able to provide valuable insights for your readers and help them better understand a complex topic.

Choosing a Topic for Your Classification Essay

Once you understand the elements of a classification essay, the next step is to choose a topic that is appropriate for this type of academic writing. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic for your classification essay:

– Identifying your audience: Before you choose a topic, it is important to consider your audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what their interests and needs are. This will help you tochoose a topic that is relevant and engaging for your readers.

– Brainstorming ideas: Once you have identified your audience, start brainstorming ideas for your classification essay. Think about topics that you are knowledgeable about and that are interesting to you. Consider different categories that you could use to classify your topic.

– Narrowing down your topic: After you have generated a list of potential topics, it is important to narrow down your options. Choose a topic that is specific enough to be manageable, but broad enough to provide you with enough material to write about.

– Finalizing your topic: Choose a final topic for your classification essay once you have narrowed down your list. Make sure your topic is clear and to the point, and that it is relevant to the people you are writing for.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to choose a topic for your classification essay that is appropriate, interesting, and relevant to your readers. Make sure to pick a topic that is narrow enough to be manageable but wide enough to give you enough to write about. Once you have a good topic for your classification essay, you can move on to the next steps.

Pre-Writing Strategies for Your Classification Essay

Before you start writing your classification essay, it’s important to take some time to prepare and plan your approach. Here are some pre-writing strategies to help you get started:

– Conducting research: Depending on your topic, you may need to conduct research to gather information and examples to support your categories . This research can come from a variety of sources, including books, academic articles, and online sources.

– Creating an outline: Once you have gathered your research, create an outline for your essay . This will help you to organize your ideas and ensure that your essay flows logically and cohesively. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

– Developing a thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay . It should be clear, concise, and focused on the categories that you will be exploring in your essay .

– Organizing your ideas: Once you have created your outline and developed your thesis statement , organize your ideas into categories. Think about the different ways that you can group your topic and create categories based on shared characteristics.

Writing Your Classification Essay

Now that you have completed your pre-writing strategies, it’s time to start writing your classification essay. Here is a breakdown of the different sections of your essay:

– Introduction: Your introduction should provide an overview of your topic and a clear thesis statement that outlines the categories you will be exploring in your essay.You should also provide some context for your topic and engage the reader’s interest.

– Body paragraphs: The main part of your essay should be broken up into paragraphs that each talk about a different topic . Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that says what category you will be talking about, and then back up your classification with examples and evidence. Use transitional phrases to link your paragraphs and help your reader see how your categories are related.

– Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement in a memorable way. You can also provide some final thoughts or recommendations based on your classification.

Remember to use clear and concise language throughout your essay, and to provide examples and evidence to support your categories. By following these guidelines, you can create a well-organized and compelling classification essay that effectively categorizes your topic and provides valuable insights for your readers.

Tips for Writing a Successful Classification Essay

To write a successful classification essay, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

– Use appropriate language and tone: Your language and tone should be appropriate for your audience and the purpose of your essay . Use clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers.

– Make use of examples: Examples can help to illustrate your categories and provide evidence to support your claims . Use specific and relevant examples to help the reader understand the characteristics of each category.

– Use transitional words and phrases: Transitional words and phrases can help to connect your categories and create a smooth and cohesive flow in your essay . Examples include “firstly”, “secondly”, “in addition”, and “furthermore”.

– Use evidence to support your claims: It’s important to use evidence to support your claims and to make your argument more convincing. This evidence can come from a variety of sources, including research, personal experience, and expert opinion.

– Revise and edit your essay: Finally, it’s important to take the time to revise and edit your essay . Read through your essay carefully , checking for spelling and grammar errors, and making sure that your ideas are clear and well-organized.

 Classification Essay Examples

Examples of classification essays:.

1. “The Three Types of Friends Everyone Needs” by John Smith:

In this essay, the author categorizes friends into three types: the listener, the adventurer, and the loyalist. The author provides specific examples and personal experiences to illustrate each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of friends.

2. “The Four Main Types of Exercise” by Jane Doe:

In this essay, the author categorizes exercise into four types: aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of exercise.

3. “The Five Types of Online Shoppers” by Sarah Johnson:

In this essay, the author categorizes online shoppers into five types: the bargain hunter, the researcher, the impulse buyer, the loyal customer, and the window shopper. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of online shoppers.

Analysis of the examples:

The structure and approach of all three examples of classification essays are the same. The authors give a clear thesis statement , group their ideas into categories, and back up their claims with examples and evidence. They also use transitional words and phrases to link their categories together and give their essays a smooth flow.

One of the things that makes these essays good is that they use examples and proof to back up their categories. By giving real-world examples, the authors are able to show what each category is like and make their case stronger. Another strength is that the language is clear and to the point, which is good for the audience and purpose of the essay.

One thing that could be better about these essays is that each category should be looked at in more depth. Even though the authors give examples to back up their claims, they could have gone into more detail about what each category is and how it fits into the bigger picture.

Classification Essay Topics

Here are some ideas to get you started:

– Types of social media users

– Different types of diets

– Types of students in a classroom

– Types of pet owners

– Different types of music genres

– Types of vacation destinations

– Different types of book genres

– Types of movie genres

– Different types of coffee drinks

– Types of personality traits

Frequently Asked Questions about Classification Essays

1. what is a classification essay.

A classification essay is a type of academic writing that involves organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics.

2. What are the elements of a classification essay?

The elements of a classification essay include a clear thesis statement, organized categories, examples and evidence to support each category, and transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph.

3. How do I choose a topic for a classification essay?

To choose a topic for your classification essay, consider your audience, brainstorm ideas, narrow down your topic, and finalize your topic.

4. How do I structure my classification essay?

Your classification essay should include an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs that explore each category, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis statement.

5. What is a classification essay thesis?

A classification essay thesis is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay. It should be clear,concise, and focused on the categories you will be exploring in your essay.

In this article , we’ve told you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay. First, we talked about what a classification essay is and why you should write one. Then, we talked about the parts of a classification essay, such as the different kinds of classification and how important it is to organize your ideas.

We also gave you advice on how to choose a topic, do research, make an outline, and come up with a thesis statement. We talked about how a classification essay is put together, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Then, to help you get started, we gave you some examples of classification essay topics and answered some of the most common questions about classification essays.

In the end, writing a classification essay can be hard, but it can also be fun. By following the tips in this article, you can write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into categories and gives your readers useful information. Make sure to choose a specific and manageable topic, use the right language and tone, and back up your categories with examples and evidence. If you have these tools, you should be able to write a good classification essay.

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4.6: Classification Essays

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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. Identifying the reason or rationale for breaking down the topic in a particular way builds the argument that will become your thesis. Use the following classification equation to craft your thesis statement:

\[\text{topic} + \text{subtopics} + \text{rationale for the subtopics} = \text{thesis} \ldotp\]

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 to use as your outline while drafting. 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.

Sample Classification Essay

Types of Higher Education Programs

Today’s students have many choices when it comes to pursuing a degree: four-year programs, two-year programs, large or small classroom settings, and even daytime or evening classes. With all the different options to consider, potential students should learn about the different types of colleges, so they can find a school that best fits their personality, budget, and educational goals.

One type of higher education program for students to consider is a liberal arts college. These schools tend to be small in size and offer a range of undergraduate degrees in subjects like English, history, psychology, and education. Students may choose a liberal arts college if they want a more intimate classroom setting rather than large lecture-style classes. Students may also consider a liberal arts college if they want to gain knowledge from a variety of disciplines, rather than focus on a single area of study. Many liberal arts schools are privately owned, and some have religious affiliations. Liberal arts schools can come with a hefty price tag, and their high cost presents an obstacle for students on a tight budget; moreover, while some students might appreciate a liberal arts school’s intimate atmosphere, others might encounter a lack of diversity in the student body. Still, students seeking a well-rounded education in the humanities will find liberal arts colleges to be one option.

Universities, another type of higher education program, offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Usually universities are larger than colleges and can accommodate tens of thousands of students in many different majors and areas of study. A large student body means that class sizes are often larger, and some classes may be taught by graduate students rather than professors. Students will feel at home at a university if they want a focused academic program and state-of-the-art research facilities. While some universities are private, many are public, which means they receive funding from the government, so tuition is more affordable, and some even offer discounted in-state tuition for state residents. Also, universities attract many international students, so those looking for a variety of campus cultural groups and clubs will appreciate a greater sense of diversity among the student body. Universities can be overwhelming for some, but they are the right fit for students who seek research opportunities and academic studies, especially in the fields of mathematics and science.

Community college is a type of higher education program popular with students on a limited budget who want to take college courses but may not know what they want to major in. Most schools offer degrees after two years of study, usually an associate’s degree that prepares students to enter the workforce; many students choose to study at a community college for two years and then transfer to a four-year college to complete their undergraduate degree. Like liberal arts schools, classes are small and allow instructors to pay more attention to their students. Community college allows students to live at home rather than in a dormitory, which also keeps costs down. While some young people might not like the idea of living at home for school, many adults choose to attend community college so they can advance their education while working and living with their families.

Online universities are another type of higher education program that are gaining popularity as technology improves. These schools offer many of the same degree programs as traditional liberal arts colleges and universities. Unlike traditional programs, which require students to attend classes and lectures, online universities offer greater academic flexibility and are a great option for students wishing to pursue a degree while still working full time. At online universities, students access course materials, such as video lectures and assessments, remotely using a personal computer and are able to speed up or slow down their progress to complete their degree at their own pace. Students may attend classes in the comfort of their own homes or local libraries, but students hoping for the social community of higher education might not enjoy this aspect of higher education.

With so many colleges and universities to choose from, it may be difficult for a student to narrow down his or her selection, but once a student knows what he or she is looking for, the process may become much easier. It is very important for students to learn about the different types of higher education programs available before making their selections.

External Link

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in " Mother Tongue   " ( https://tinyurl.com/hya7ob5 ). The essay is also available here ( https://tinyurl.com/y7gbr9hs ).

Contributors and Attributions    

Adapted from  Successful College Composition (Crowther et al.) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

Adapted from  Let's Get Writing (Browning, DeVries, Boylan, Kurtz and Burton) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

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When confronted with a complicated subject, we are often overwhelmed with information. A classification essay is designed to take a complex topic and break it down into more manageable and understandable categories, digestible pieces that a reader can easily break down.

This method of organization can be seen in how we structure and categorize our everyday lives. Take the Jefferson Learning Commons, as an example. The library houses thousands of books, which would be hard to browse if they were thrown haphazardly on shelves. Instead, all the fiction is organized alphabetically by author on the first floor, while the second floor houses all the non-fiction organized by subject. This allows a student to find the book they are looking for without searching every shelf.

Topics: When choosing a topic make sure the topic is complex enough to be divided into categories, while not being so broad that the reader is overwhelmed with categories.

Categories: Since a classification essay breaks a topic or subject into categories, it is important for each category to be distinct from one another. Categories that overlap will be nebulous and difficult for a reader to understand. Topics can be broken down many ways. If one way isn’t working, try brainstorming a new way to divide the topic.

Good Topic: Transportation

Categories:

  • Taxi (Uber or Lyft)
  • Personal Automobile

Each category is distinct from one another, with a single defining feature.

Bad Topic: Video game genres

  • Roleplay (RPG)
  • Japanese RPG (JRPG)

The differences of some categories are very murky. A RPG is defined by things like character creation and level progression. However, these two elements are found in many soulslike games. This makes the topic of video game genres difficult to breakdown into easily definable categories.

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15.5 Classification Essay

Learning objective.

  • Read an example of the classification rhetorical mode.

Types of Higher Education Programs

Today’s students have many choices when it comes to pursuing a degree: four-year programs, two-year programs, large or small classroom settings, and even daytime or evening classes. With all the different options to consider, potential students should learn about the different types of colleges so they can find a school that best fits their personality, budget, and educational goals.

One type of higher education program for students to consider is a liberal arts college. These schools tend to be small in size and offer a range of undergraduate degrees in subjects like English, history, psychology, and education. Students may choose a liberal arts college if they want a more intimate classroom setting rather than large lecture-style classes. Students may also consider a liberal arts college if they want to gain knowledge from a variety of disciplines, rather than focus on a single area of study. Many liberal arts schools are privately owned, and some have religious affiliations. Liberal arts schools can come with a hefty price tag, and their high cost presents an obstacle for students on a tight budget; moreover, while some students might appreciate a liberal arts school’s intimate atmosphere, others might encounter a lack of diversity in the student body. Still, students seeking a well-rounded education in the humanities will find liberal arts colleges to be one option.

Universities, another type of higher education program, offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Usually universities are larger than colleges and can accommodate tens of thousands of students in many different majors and areas of study. A large student body means that class sizes are often larger, and some classes may be taught by graduate students rather than professors. Students will feel at home at a university if they want a focused academic program and state-of-the-art research facilities. While some universities are private, many are public, which means they receive funding from the government, so tuition is more affordable and some even offer discounted in-state tuition for state residents. Also, universities attract many international students, so those looking for a variety of campus cultural groups and clubs will appreciate a greater sense of diversity among the student body. Universities can be overwhelming for some, but they are the right fit for students who seek research opportunities and academic studies, especially in the fields of mathematics and science.

Community college is a type of higher education program popular with students on a limited budget who want to take college courses but may not know what they want to major in. Most schools offer degrees after two years of study, usually an associate’s degree that prepares students to enter the work force; many students choose to study at a community college for two years and then transfer to a four-year college to complete their undergraduate degree. Like liberal arts schools, classes are small and allow instructors to pay more attention to their students. Community college allows students to live at home rather than in a dormitory, which also keeps costs down. While some young people might not like the idea of living at home for school, many adults choose to attend community college so they can advance their education while working and living with their families.

Online universities are another type of higher education program that are gaining popularity as technology improves. These schools offer many of the same degree programs as traditional liberal arts colleges and universities. Unlike traditional programs, which require students to attend classes and lectures, online universities offer greater academic flexibility and are a great option for students wishing to pursue a degree while still working full time. At online universities, students access course materials, such as video lectures and assessments, remotely using a personal computer and are able to speed up or slow down their progress to complete their degree at their own pace. Students may attend classes in the comfort of their own home or a local library, but students hoping for the social community of higher education might not enjoy this aspect of higher education.

With so many colleges and universities to choose from, it may be difficult for a student to narrow down his or her selection, but once a student knows what he or she is looking for, the process may become much easier. It is very important for students to learn about the different types of higher education programs available before making their selections.

Online Classification Essay Alternatives

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in Mother Tongue

  • http://theessayexperiencefall2013.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/files/2013/09/Mother-Tongue-by-Amy-Tan.pdf

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Macdonald DeWitt Library at SUNY Ulster

Eng 101 oer: classification.

  • Reading to Write
  • Why We Write
  • Rhetorical Context
  • Brainstorming
  • Proofreading & Editing
  • Paragraph Development
  • Thesis Statements
  • Introductions
  • Conclusions
  • Transitions & Phrases
  • Peer Reviews
  • Exemplification
  • Classification
  • Cause/Effect
  • Grammar Resources

Learning Objectives

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

The Purpose of Dividing & Classifying

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.

The Structure of a Division/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 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.

Writing a Division/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. 

Classification Essays

Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in  Mother Tongue :

  • http://www.scribd.com/doc/13297165/Mother-Tongue-By-Amy-Tan-I-Am-Not-A
  • http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/donna.gordon/sum-2010-engl-1301-5-wk-crn-33454/1301-reading-block-crn-33454/Tan_Mother%20Tongue.pdf
  • http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/mcunningham/grapes/mother%20tounge.pdf

Jonathan Koppell discusses anonymity, your name, and how the Internet has changed in  On the Internet, There’s No Place to Hide :

  • http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2000/on_the_internet_theres_no_place_to_hide

Student Sample Essay

Types of Higher Education Programs

Today’s students have many choices when it comes to pursuing a degree: four-year programs, two-year programs, large or small classroom settings, and even daytime or evening classes. With all the different options to consider, potential students should learn about the different types of colleges so they can find a school that best fits their personality, budget, and educational goals.

One type of higher education program for students to consider is a liberal arts college. These schools tend to be small in size and offer a range of undergraduate degrees in subjects like English, history, psychology, and education. Students may choose a liberal arts college if they want a more intimate classroom setting rather than large lecture-style classes. Students may also consider a liberal arts college if they want to gain knowledge from a variety of disciplines, rather than focus on a single area of study. Many liberal arts schools are privately owned, and some have religious affiliations. Liberal arts schools can come with a hefty price tag, and their high cost presents an obstacle for students on a tight budget; moreover, while some students might appreciate a liberal arts school’s intimate atmosphere, others might encounter a lack of diversity in the student body. Still, students seeking a well-rounded education in the humanities will find liberal arts colleges to be one option.

Universities, another type of higher education program, offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Usually universities are larger than colleges and can accommodate tens of thousands of students in many different majors and areas of study. A large student body means that class sizes are often larger, and some classes may be taught by graduate students rather than professors. Students will feel at home at a university if they want a focused academic program and state-of-the-art research facilities. While some universities are private, many are public, which means they receive funding from the government, so tuition is more affordable and some even offer discounted in-state tuition for state residents. Also, universities attract many international students, so those looking for a variety of campus cultural groups and clubs will appreciate a greater sense of diversity among the student body. Universities can be overwhelming for some, but they are the right fit for students who seek research opportunities and academic studies, especially in the fields of mathematics and science.

Community college is a type of higher education program popular with students on a limited budget who want to take college courses but may not know what they want to major in. Most schools offer degrees after two years of study, usually an associate’s degree that prepares students to enter the work force; many students choose to study at a community college for two years and then transfer to a four-year college to complete their undergraduate degree. Like liberal arts schools, classes are small and allow instructors to pay more attention to their students. Community college allows students to live at home rather than in a dormitory, which also keeps costs down. While some young people might not like the idea of living at home for school, many adults choose to attend community college so they can advance their education while working and living with their families.

Online universities are another type of higher education program that are gaining popularity as technology improves. These schools offer many of the same degree programs as traditional liberal arts colleges and universities. Unlike traditional programs, which require students to attend classes and lectures, online universities offer greater academic flexibility and are a great option for students wishing to pursue a degree while still working full time. At online universities, students access course materials, such as video lectures and assessments, remotely using a personal computer and are able to speed up or slow down their progress to complete their degree at their own pace. Students may attend classes in the comfort of their own home or a local library, but students hoping for the social community of higher education might not enjoy this aspect of higher education.

With so many colleges and universities to choose from, it may be difficult for a student to narrow down his or her selection, but once a student knows what he or she is looking for, the process may become much easier. It is very important for students to learn about the different types of higher education programs available before making their selections.

classification scheme essay

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.

This is a derivative of  WRITING FOR SUCCESS  by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution, originally released and is used under CC BY-NC-SA. This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

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  • Next: Comparison >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 7, 2023 10:19 AM
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How to Write a Classification Essay

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  • Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
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  • Icon Clock 8 min read

A classification essay provides the necessary classification of ideas, concepts, and objects, among other applicable cases. Basically, the set, scheme, and classes are essential benchmarks that learners must consider in writing. Then, the criteria for writing academic papers bring together covered ideas and improve the ability to understand topics. Choosing themes, classifying facts, and gathering evidence lead to compelling papers. In this case, 10 steps on how to write a classification essay include writing an introduction, creating a strong thesis statement, organizing body paragraphs, developing a conclusion, and proofreading. Additional tips include clear definitions, balanced illustrative cases, unified methods of classification, and proper sentence structures.

General Explanations of a Classification Essay

Among other types of essays , classification papers contain detailed explanations of objects and ideas. In particular, outstanding writers must observe academic standards to unify written works for having a unique flow of information and leading to a better understanding of academic writing. Then, some of the 10 steps include selecting essay topics, classifying information, and collecting evidence. In this case, a high level of originality improves overall outcomes. Moreover, outstanding works follow an essay structure with opening, body, and closing paragraphs. In turn, editing improves the overall quality of academic papers. Peers can help to identify common mistakes that lower the quality. Besides, students should provide flawless descriptions, balanced illustrative examples, and proper sentence structures.

Definition of a Classification Essay

A classification paper categorizes ideas, characters, or objects having shared features into specific groups. For example, a well-written paper includes all the categories that pertain to the main item under classification. In this case, writers must organize ideas in an acceptable academic format. Moreover, including exciting ways to classify ideas and objects improves the overall quality of papers. In turn, scholars may use single or multiple criteria when following the rules on how to write a classification essay.

A classification essay contains a detailed explanation of objects or ideas. For instance, one criterion method provides adequate information for every class. Besides. multiple categories present subsequent groupings and supporting evidence. In turn, the presentation makes papers informative and appropriate.

Criteria for Writing a Classification Essay

How to write a classification essay

A classification essay must have three characteristics, namely the set, scheme, and classes. Basically, these standards unify good academic papers to have a unique flow.

A set considered for class must have unique features. For example. one must distinguish the grouping from immediate objects by considering how to write a classification essay. A good example includes living organisms as classified sets that are different from non-living things.

A scheme entails principles of selection and follows conditions of the quality, standard, category, or purpose. Basically, the system of choice centers on significance, importance, applicability, and valuable way to appreciate the set of things under consideration.

A class begins with a description, identification features of the members, and significant differences. In particular, including representative examples of the grouping makes written papers compelling. Other essential elements include a discussion of the category, its worth, comparison, and contrast with different clusters in the scheme. These components require writers to use description, narration, definition, examples, and appraisal methods of sorting.

10 Steps for Writing Classification Essays

Step 1. choosing a topic.

The first step includes deciding the object or idea to classify. For instance, the necessary steps to consider in topic selection include:

  • choosing an appropriate number of classifications;
  • considering apparent groupings;
  • including important classes only;
  • picking significant points in every cluster because readers should learn valuable information from clusters established;
  • evaluating the significance of groups in supporting the topic.

Step 2. Organizing Ideas

One must gather adequate information to complete essays. For instance, writers carry out preliminary research. In this case, various scholarly materials contain sufficient evidence to support the topic. Other significant sources include:

  • Internet – Credible websites may have valuable ideas and facts to complete papers.
  • Focus Groups – Discussions with peers are effective ways to gather the required details for written works.
  • Brainstorming – Students should come up with many points. Noting down the thoughts makes the organization process easier.
  • Mind Mapping – Tree-diagrams, charts, tables, and flow-charts enhances the grouping point of view.

Step 3. Writing an Introduction

The opening paragraph contains an overview of the main ideas presented in written works. For example, one should write an introduction after other items. In this case, this approach helps to capture all the main points. Essential conditions to consider for the preliminary section:

  • should not exceed 10% of the entire paper;
  • must contain a hook to attract the reader’s attention;
  • does not include in-text citations to support information;
  • does not cover specific examples or data.

Step 4. Creating a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement acts as the foundation of an essay. Basically, a first central claim should allow readers to understand the composition to meet recommendations on how to write a classification essay. In this case, writers should state the main approaches examined in academic works. Important points to consider include:

  • setting certain expectations for readers;
  • making an arguable claim;
  • affirming focal arguments concisely.

Step 5. Choosing Categories

Writers should use classes identified in Step 1 to develop several groups. In particular, an adequate number of groupings make written works clear. Important points to consider include:

  • combining classifications with similar traits to avoid vague information;
  • sufficient classes that make written papers clear.

Step 6. Classification Essays with Good Paragraphs in a Body

The categories identified earlier guide the number of paragraphs that one must include in the body section. In this case, each paragraph contains adequate details and evidence to support the main ideas. Moreover, students must be specific when presenting significant ideas. Other essential factors include:

  • Paragraphs start with a topic sentence.
  • Real-life examples validate the claims made in the opening statement.
  • Two or three explanation sentences make academic papers compelling.
  • Every section ends with a linking statement.

The body of a classification essay must have a logical flow of ideas. Basically, writers must arrange paragraphs to ensure that their ideas connect effectively. For example, starting from the known to less familiar information makes papers compelling. As a result, these strategies lead to a logical progression of ideas.

Step 7. Developing a Conclusion

The closing paragraph summarizes the main points of an academic paper. In particular, mentioning classes considered in papers makes the ending valid. Other essential factors that one should consider must:

  • including final comments for each classification;
  • avoiding repetitive information;
  • excluding new evidence in the ending section;
  • reaffirming the thesis statement.

Step 8. Revising a Thesis Statement

Reviewing central claims improves the quality of knowledge of classification essays. For instance, students must ensure that the thesis statement captures the main ideas presented in the body. In turn, overlooking thoughts makes academic papers weak and less compelling.

Step 9. Writing Second or Final Drafts and Proofreading

Reviewing the first draft helps to remove possible flaws. Basically, presenting unrevised papers leads to a poor reader’s response due to grammatical and spelling errors. In this case, students may use several steps when going through academic papers.

  • Beginning with a broader view – reading the entire essay to identify probable gaps in the logical flow. Learners must include missing gaps.
  • Lengthy paragraphs – editing down longer sections makes the work readable.
  • Wordy sentences – rewriting longwinded sentences makes papers clear and logical.
  • Classifying the message – removing complex words and phrases improves the overall quality of academic papers.
  • Proofreading – rereading all words and sentences to examine their correctness and relevance.

Learners should make the necessary changes to the first draft of an essay. In this case, writing a fair copy of the composition helps to meet the required standards. Moreover, using a rubric makes the process easier and more effective.

Step 10. Peer Reviewing

The last step includes presenting papers to classmates or friends for reading and critique. Basically, this method helps to identify the relevance of written essays to the intended audience. Furthermore, one should consider making corrections that may arise from this step.

Additional Tips on How to Write Classification Essays

Defining Categories

Defining every category helps to make papers compelling. Listing of the main characteristics and discussing them is an appropriate approach.

Classification Essays with Examples

Illustrative examples make the main arguments compelling. For instance, one should use cases that offer a typical representation of classes. Besides, having an equal number of examples in each category is important.

The comparison and contrast technique points out different similarities and differences between various categories. Basically, this method ensures that writers evaluate all ideas and concepts exhaustively.

The tree-diagram method supports the generation of adequate ideas and concepts. In this case, students organize themes and subtopics. Besides. writing all categories under every subcategory helps to identify essential facts. In turn, the approach reduces the chances of omitting critical ideas.

Unified Criterion of Classification

Relying on governing principles of class promotes clarity in the essay. In particular, setting standards before beginning the writing process improves the applicability of the written piece.

Sentence Structure

Incomplete phrases make academic papers vague and confusing. In this case, deep proofreading leads to easier identification of careless mistakes. Hence, students must pay close attention to revision procedures.

Summing Up on Classification Essay

A classification essay categorizes ideas, characters, or objects that have common traits by considering specific groups. Basically, writers must observe three characteristics of classification essays, namely the set, scheme, and classes. Then, the criteria unify written works to have a unique flow of information, leading to a better understanding. In this case, choosing the topic, classifying the data, and gathering evidence are essential steps toward writing a compelling paper. Moreover, a high level of creativity improves the outcome of these steps. Outstanding works contain an introduction with a strong thesis statement, a detailed body section, and a summative conclusion. In turn, proofreading improves the overall quality of academic papers. As a result, clear definitions, balanced illustrative cases, unified groups of classes, and proper sentence structure are essential guidelines.

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Bill Stifler

Classification/Division Essays

Of all the various modes, classification/division essays are the easiest essay to organize according to a three part thesis statement (the five paragraph essay ). Many teachers like the three part thesis because it has an obvious structure and is, therefore, easier to grade. However, there are some problems with it. First, not all essays lend themselves to three divisions. Secondly, students often force essays into artificial divisions in the attempt to create three divisions.

Classification/division essays lend themselves to the three part thesis for several reasons. First, a two part classification/division is often overly simplistic. Second, classifications or divisions that exceed five in number are often unwieldy to discuss within the limits of an essay.

Classification

The classification essay organizes supporting details into three or more groups with each group having its own identifying characteristics. For this reason, classification essays rely heavily on description and example as supporting details or evidence, description providing the means for identifying distinguishing characteristics and examples illustrating the members of each class. Classification essays may also use short narratives or anecdotes as evidence to support or illustrate a class.

Elements of Classification

There are three elements to a classification essay: the set of things being classified, the scheme (or principle of selection) for classifying the set, and the classes into which the set is divided.

Any set which is to be classified must share a common characteristic or be able to be distinguished from things outside the set. Biology classifies living organisms (non-living materials lie outside the set). Students, pets, vacation spots, or other generic nouns can serve as a set to be classified.

A scheme is the quality, standard, type, or function by which the elements of the set are sorted into classes, that is, the principle of selection for creating the groups. Biologists classify living organisms based on life processes and qualities. Geologists sort rocks into igneous , sedimentary , and metamorphic rocks, a classification based on how the rocks were formed. In order for a classification scheme to be effective it must be a significant, important, relevant, or valuable way to understand the set of things under consideration.

In general, when writing about each class, begin with an explanation of the descriptor , the characteristic which identifies the members of one class and differentiates the members of that class from the members of another class. Then include representative examples of the class. Often, a discussion of the class also includes an evaluation of the worth of this class or a comparison/contrast of this class to other classes within the scheme. Biologists frequently make reference to the ways in which members of a class are differentiated from members of other classes. For these reasons, modes which are used as methods within classification often include description, narration, definition, example, and comparison/contrast.

Set: Students Scheme: Intensity of interest in school Classes: Absent, Apathetic, Bored, Interested, Avid Significance, Importance, Relevance, or Value: The amount of interest students take toward school may reflect the amount of interest they will take toward their work and life in general.

Organization of a Classification Essay

The introduction or lead-in to a classification essay will identify the set being classified and generally indicate the significance, importance, relevance, or value of the scheme being applied. The thesis statement frequently identifies the classes into which the set is being classified.

Topic sentences in classification essay body paragraphs should identify the class or group being considered and its relationship to the scheme for creating the classes. In classifying a set, more than one classification scheme may be possible, depending on why you are classifying the set and what can be gained from the classification scheme (its value ); however, each essay should focus on one scheme for classifying the set.

Conclusions of classification essays often re-emphasize the significance, importance, relevance, or value of the scheme used to classify the set. Sometimes the conlusion will emphasize the most important grouping.

Confusing Modes: Sometimes students will confuse the classification essay with the example essay. Classification essays include examples, but the examples are given to illustrate the class . The class must be clearly defined and explained first , and then examples given as illustrations of the class.

Lack of Support: To be effective, each class must be clearly identified, using description to describe the unique characteristics of the class. Normally, each class should be a discreet group, that is, each member should only belong to one class. Also, when setting up classes, there should be more than one member in each class. Topic sentences in classification essay body paragraphs should identify the class or group being considered and how that group fits the scheme used to create the groups. Supporting sentences should describe the class or members of the class, give examples of members that fit the class, or tell stories about members of the class that show the members connection with the class.

In division essays, writers break down their subjects into parts for the purpose of understanding the subject. The relationship of these parts to the whole is then explained. Division essays often deal with systems and subsystems.

A division essay does not just break down a subject into a list of parts. For instance, an engine is made up of nuts, bolts, cylinders, gears, and other miscellaneous parts. But a division essay on a car would not focus on the individual pieces of the car but on the sub-systems of the car and how they relate to the whole. Like the classification essay, there are three elements to a division essay: the system, the principle of analysis, and the sub-systems.

For instance, in examining a car (system) to understand how it works (principle of analysis), a mechanic might divide the car into its separate subsystems: transmission, exhaust, electrical, engine, and so on. In order to understand the total system, the writer will need to explain how each sub-system functions, how it functions in relation to the other sub-systems, and how it functions in relation to the total system. To understand how a car uses energy (principle of analysis), a physicist might divide the total system into subsystems focusing on mechanical, chemical, and electrical energy.

One distinct difference between division essays and classification essays is that in classification essays, the members of each class must be distinct from the members of other classes (no item can be a member of more than one class). In division essays, individual parts might be members of more than one subsystem; however, the function of the part will be examined as it relates to each individual subsystem. For instance, the human body can be divided into subsystems that include the circulatory, the respiratory, and the excretory. The blood is an element of each of those systems, but its funtion is interpreted differently depending on the subsystem being discussed. Because division essays examine functionality, they frequently use process as a method. What distinguishes the division essay from the process essay is the focus on the interrelationship of processes both within subsystems and within the total system.

In addition to process, description, narration, and definition are frequent modes used as methods in division essays. Students should be careful not to confuse division with these other modes. Division essays identify the parts or subsystems of something in relation to the whole. Description or narration can be used to illustrate those parts or subsystems after the parts or subsystems have been defined and related to the whole. Topic sentences in division essay body paragraphs should clearly define the part as it functions in the whole.

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  • 182 Best Classification Essay Topics To Learn And Write About

September 17, 2022

classification essay topics

Do you struggle to find classification essay topics? If so, this article is ideal for you. It lists 180-plus topic ideas to consider for your paper. Also, it defines a classification essay and how to write it. This article is helpful because many students struggle to find or create titles for their classification essays.

Many educators give learners the classification essay assignment to gauge their ability to classify or categorize data. Therefore, this form of academic writing entails developing an essay by organizing or arranging events, objects, notions, or individuals into specific classes, types, or groups, based on their shared characteristics. A teacher or professor can ask learners to write this essay to assess their reasoning.

What Is A Classification Essay?

A classification essay, also called a division essay, is a write-up that shows the student’s skills in organizing or sorting things into categories or groups. The learner must select the criteria for presenting items when writing this essay. After that, they can provide examples for each class or group.

Some of the things to classify can include mobile platforms. In that case, learners can separate them into Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Thus, the learner can select the specific traits to group or divide the objects into various categories.

How To Write A Good Classification Essay

When writing a classification essay, students can group items based on their differences or similarities. Here’s the basic process of writing this essay:

Choose a topic: While learners can pick titles from division and classification essay topics, not all are ideal for every student. Therefore, the first step is to select a title you know or have experience with to make the research and writing process easier and more enjoyable. Research: Once you’ve chosen the topic, investigate it extensively to understand the characteristics of the items or objects you intend to categorize in the essay. Define categories: Think about your essay structure before working on it. That way, you can break up the classes into different parts. Additionally, decide on your essay’s angle. Create a thesis statement: Write a persuasive thesis statement and support your claim with solid evidence. A classification essay requires a convincing primary argument. Outline the essay: Outlining will keep your writing organized while ensuring it covers every point. Also, it enables you to decide the content for every paragraph or section. Your outline can include the introduction, main body, and conclusion. Draft: Follow the outline to write the first draft. Categorize the items into different classes based on their unique traits. Write the final draft: Write the final copy of the essay based on your first copy. Ensure that the division between the items or objects comes out clearly. Edit: Proofread and edit the essay before submitting

Writing a classification essay becomes easy when you select the right topic. This article lists a wide array of division classification essay topics to help you find one you’re comfortable with before starting the writing process.

Classification Essay Topics For College Students

Are you a college student looking for good classification essay topics? If so, this section has exciting ideas you might want to explore in your papers:

  • Different types of tourists
  • Different friends types
  • Classification of social network users
  • Modern world and sports fans categories
  • Categories of college roommates
  • Categories of church-goers
  • States with different population quantity and density
  • The US youth groups today
  • The modern world and social groups
  • Categories of social values
  • Different nationalities and their traits
  • Different levels of degrees in colleges
  • Various categories of artists
  • Different types of books
  • Categories of studying techniques
  • Various types of teachers
  • Types of exercises for bodybuilders
  • Different categories of relationships
  • Different friendship types
  • Friendships and their characteristics

College students can explore these ideas in their essays. Nevertheless, learners should pick ideas they are comfortable exploring in their research and writing.

Classification Essay Topics On History

Are you pursuing a history course and need classification topics for your papers? If so, this list has exciting ideas to explore in your work:

  • Leonardo Da Vinci and his significant accomplishments
  • Historical events and their impacts on people’s lives
  • How different rulers changed the course of history
  • The role of religion in shaping history
  • The most important inventions in history
  • The turning points in history that led to significant changes
  • How wars have shaped the course of history
  • The role of geography in the development of historical events
  • Influence of different cultures on each other throughout history
  • The economic factors that have led to historic changes
  • The part of art and literature in history.
  • How political leaders can maintain security and peace
  • Slavery in different historical periods in America
  • Reasons for the strong influence of the Mayan civilization
  • Britain’s history and its most celebrated episodes
  • Various revolutions in the 19th century in America
  • Seven Wonders of the World and their information sources
  • Different printing techniques in history
  • Customs that led to modern holidays
  • Characteristics of the first civilizations
  • Military commanders and their successes
  • Nicknames for the American presidents
  • Che Guevara and his achievements
  • Milestones Adolf Hitler made during his rise and fall
  • The most influential and popular US presidents

Writing a quality essay about these titles requires in-depth research and organization of thoughts. Therefore, pick a title you’re comfortable with to draft a winning paper.

Classification Essay Topics In Economics

Are you pursuing an economics course in college? If so, this list has classification ideas worth exploring in your papers:

  • How the economy affects businesses
  • The demand and supply concepts
  • How the balance of trade impacts the economy
  • Unemployment and its different types
  • How experts measure economic growth
  • Various problems arise from a recession
  • How inflation affects the economy
  • Governments and their role in the economy
  • How taxation affects the economy
  • Multiple categories of economic systems
  • Factors affecting the prosperity of the global economy
  • The dominance of developed countries over developed ones
  • Impacts of debt taking on developing countries
  • How various market institutions affect developing nations
  • Different effects of politics on economic growth
  • Popular products that enhance economic prosperity
  • Different approaches to economic growth
  • Factors causing price volatility
  • International and regional financial organizations and their impacts on member states
  • Is global agriculture declining or expanding?
  • Categories of goods in modern economics
  • Regions or countries that control the international economy
  • Industries driving the global economy
  • Exploring different types of business cartels
  • How food safety regulations have assisted certain countries

Economics is a broad and diverse subject covering different topics. Nevertheless, any of these topics can be an excellent starting point for your essay.

Funny Classification Essay Topics

Maybe you want to have fun while researching and writing your paper. If so, consider choosing one of these topics:

  • Different categories of people you can meet at a party
  • Types of people you can meet online
  • Ways to do away with a boring person
  • Jobs you should avoid forever
  • Types of people teenagers don’t want as friends
  • Ways of classifying your Facebook friends
  • How a person becomes cynical
  • Categories of fitness freaks
  • Ways to make an ex fall in love with you
  • Ways to avoid forgetting your friends
  • How to avoid a person you don’t like
  • Ways to annoy a person without consequences
  • Types of laughter and their causes
  • Different ways someone can disgust you
  • Various ways to a girl’s heart
  • Ways to get into a man’s bed
  • Santa Claus and major myths about him
  • Multiple fashion styles and what makes them stand out
  • The best books to read and enjoy
  • Movies that will make you laugh and watch them again

Classification essays shouldn’t always be serious. Picking these ideas will lead to fun-filled research and writing experience. Nevertheless, follow your educator’s instructions to prompt them to award you the top grade in your class.

Classification And Division Essay Topics

As the name suggests, these titles require the writer to classify and divide items, concepts, or ideas. Here are topics to consider in this category:

  • Bowling as an Olympic sport
  • Types of scripted reality shows
  • Movies with CGI graphics
  • Earbuds categorization as headphones
  • Caffeinated drinks and their classification as energy drinks
  • Teens trick-or-treating rules
  • Chips as snacks, yet they are not chips
  • Social media posts and their categories
  • Different meme types
  • Categories of healthy breakfasts
  • Types of parenting styles
  • Different categories of gamers
  • Categorizing teaching styles
  • Effective calming techniques
  • Occupational fields that aren’t remote
  • Spending habits among teenagers
  • Various inventions and their categories
  • Multiple places that humans have not explored
  • Categories of holistic medicine
  • Party factions in the Democratic party

These are good division and classification essay topic examples. Nevertheless, pick the one you’re comfortable working on to enjoy your project.

Definition Classification Essay Topics

Topics in this category define and classify different items, concepts, or ideas. Here are ideas to explore in this section:

  • Various types of love
  • Different forms of beauty
  • Categories of success and their differences
  • Various types of failure
  • Different categories of fear
  • Different forms of happiness
  • Exploring different types of family
  • Various types of political parties
  • Different forms of governance
  • The concepts of political power
  • Different approaches to decision-making in politics
  • Different ideologies in politics
  • Types of economic systems
  • Different types of agriculture
  • Various types of intelligence

When writing an essay in any of these titles, students should define and classify the items or concepts they want to investigate. That way, they can show the educator that they understand them.

Easy Classification Essay Topics

Maybe you don’t want to struggle with researching and writing your essay. In that case, these topics for the classification essay are ideal for you:

  • Different strategies for adding weight
  • Five American comedians and reasons for their popularity
  • Main causes of obesity
  • Unique methods for shedding weight
  • Various ways to save money
  • Types of online sellers
  • Different types of leadership
  • Types of a balanced diet
  • Ways to make friends
  • Multiple forms of workplace bullying
  • Different categories of poems
  • Types of mental health treatments
  • Types of role models
  • Categories of individual personalities
  • Categorization of goals in life
  • Different types of weather
  • Various types of animals
  • Different categories of plants
  • Various types of rocks
  • Different mineral types
  • Various types of soil
  • Categories of ecosystems
  • Different types of climates
  • Various types of biomes
  • Different categories of habitats

These classification essay ideas are easy to research since you can quickly find a lot of information about them. Nevertheless, ensure that your chosen topic meets your educator’s requirements. If you find it difficult to choose a topic for the essay or figure out how to write a dissertation, you can always use custom dissertation writing , where you can get help in completing the assignment to a high score.

Extra Classification Essay Topics List

Maybe you didn’t find an exciting topic for a classification essay in the above categories. In that case, consider any of these ideas for your paper:

  • Types of music genres
  • Different types of clothing
  • Various categories of sports fans
  • Types of pets
  • Categories of holidays
  • Types of college majors
  • Different kinds of jobs
  • Various categories of cars
  • Types of home decorations
  • Kinds of HGTV shows
  • Different types of Facebook users
  • Texting habits of teenagers
  • Types of sports teams
  • Types of video games
  • Best summer holiday destinations
  • Prerequisites for getting the best friends
  • Types of decorations for the Christmas tree
  • Digital profession categories
  • Kinds of shopping behaviours
  • Homeless person categories
  • Different varieties of dancing styles
  • Types of lecturing strategies
  • Categories of extracurricular activities
  • Bad behaviours among artist
  • Different kinds of political cultures
  • Categories of immigrants
  • Sorts of comedy shows
  • Types of conflicts at workplaces
  • Various types of voting systems
  • Categories of climatic zones
  • Varieties of social media content
  • Different types of responsibilities

Classification essays are not challenging to write, but they require some thought and organization to succeed. The most important thing to remember is to focus on a single characteristic to help you group your subjects into manageable categories. Once you have chosen your topic and determined your purpose, the rest of the essay should fall into place more easily.

However, selecting the right topic is the first and foremost step in writing this essay. That’s because while there are many types of classification essay topics, not all suit every student. Therefore, learners should take sufficient time to investigate their titles to write winning papers.

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Classification Essay

Classification Essay Topics

Caleb S.

A List of 270+ Classification Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment

14 min read

Classification Essay Topics

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A Beginner’s Guide to Classification Essay + Examples, Topics, & Tips

Classification Essay Outline - A Step By Step Guide

Are you tired of the same old essay topics? Do you find yourself stuck in the monotony of choosing a classification essay topic? 

Choosing a perfect topic that is both interesting and impactful can be challenging sometimes, especially when you are short on time, but fret not! 

In this blog, we've got you covered with 270+ classification essay ideas for all academic levels. From science to arts and literature, we've handpicked topics for all major subjects for your classification essay . We'll also share tips on how to pick the perfect topic that suits you. 

So, let's dive into the classification topics right here!

Arrow Down

  • 1. Classification Essay Topics for 6th Grade Students
  • 2. Classification Essay Topics Middle School
  • 3. Classification Essay Topics For High School
  • 4. Classification Essay Topics For College Students
  • 5. Classification Essay Topics for ESL Students
  • 6. Classification  Essay Topics About School
  • 7. Classification  Essay Topics About Books and Literature
  • 8. Classification  Essays About Science
  • 9. Classification  Essay Topics About Technology
  • 10. Classification Essay Topics on Psychology
  • 11. Classification  Essay Topics About Health
  • 12. Classification Essay Topics on History
  • 13. Classification Essay Topics Sports
  • 14. Classification Essay Topics Business
  • 15. Classification Essay Topics Politics
  • 16. Classification Essay Topics Arts
  • 17. Classification  Essay Topics About Music
  • 18. Classification  Essay Topics About Movies and TV Shows
  • 19. Classification  Essay Topics About Shopping and Clothes
  • 20. Classification  Essay Topics About Travel and Tourism
  • 21. Good Classification  Essay Topics About Life
  • 22. Classification  Essay Topics About Food 
  • 23. Classification  Essay Topics About Animals
  • 24. Classification Essay Topics Mental Health
  • 25. Classification and Division Essay Topics 
  • 26. Easy Classification Essay Topics
  • 27. Funny Classification Essay Topics 
  • 28. Tips to Pick a Classification Essay Topic
  • 29. Tips For Writing A Classification Essay

Classification Essay Topics for 6th Grade Students

  • Types of animals found in rainforests
  • Subdivisions of the Olympic games.
  • Classification of Physiological Disease
  • The three best global cuisines
  • The best ways to prepare for a final exam.
  • Common allergies today
  • Different types of self-care.
  • Different styles of art in history
  • Kinds of science experiments for beginners
  • Types of plants in a garden

Classification Essay Topics Middle School

  • Classifying historical events that shaped our world
  • Types of ecosystems and their characteristics
  • Varieties of poetry forms and their structures
  • Different types of volcanoes and their eruptions
  • Elements in the Periodic Table
  • Kinds of geometric shapes and their properties
  • Categorizing ancient civilizations by achievements
  • Types of biomes and their distinctive features
  • Different genres of fictional literature
  • Classifying cellular structures in living organisms

Classification Essay Topics For High School

  • Classifying literary movements in modern literature
  • Types of political systems and their characteristics
  • Varieties of environmental conservation strategies
  • Different approaches to solving complex math problems
  • Classifying major historical wars and their impact
  • Kinds of computer programming languages
  • Categorizing art movements throughout history
  • Types of energy resources and their sustainability
  • Different genres of music and their influences
  • Classifying types of psychological disorders

Classification Essay Topics For College Students

  • Classifying modern philosophical movements
  • Types of sustainable business practices
  • Varieties of marketing strategies in the digital age
  • Different learning styles and their effectiveness
  • Classifying programming languages for data science
  • Kinds of entrepreneurial ventures and their models
  • Categorizing architectural styles in urban design
  • Types of renewable energy technologies
  • Different genres of documentary filmmaking
  • Classifying approaches to global economic development

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Classification Essay Topics for ESL Students

  • Classifying traditional foods from different cultures
  • Types of social media platforms and their uses
  • Varieties of transportation systems in metropolitan areas
  • Different learning apps for language acquisition
  • Classifying historical landmarks in ESL-speaking countries
  • Kinds of environmental issues and solutions
  • Categorizing cultural celebrations around the world
  • Types of leisure activities for language practice
  • Different genres of multicultural literature
  • Classifying global business communication styles

Classification  Essay Topics About School

  • Effective study habits for academic success
  • Types of peer-to-peer learning strategies
  • Varieties of student leadership roles in extracurricular activities
  • Different approaches to creative writing styles
  • Classifying career paths in STEM disciplines
  • Kinds of artistic expression in visual arts classes
  • Categorizing healthy eating habits for student-athletes
  • Types of historical movements explored in social studies
  • Different genres of music explored in music classes
  • Classifying coding languages for computer science projects

Classification  Essay Topics About Books and Literature

  • Classifying classic novels by literary movements
  • Types of narrative structures in fiction
  • Varieties of poetic forms and their significance
  • Different genres of mystery and detective fiction
  • Classifying autobiographies and memoirs
  • Kinds of fantasy worlds in literature
  • Categorizing Shakespearean plays by themes
  • Types of social commentary in contemporary literature
  • Different approaches to science fiction subgenres
  • Classifying non-fiction books by subject matter

Classification  Essays About Science

  • Classifying types of renewable energy sources
  • Varieties of cellular structures in biology
  • Different categories of chemical reactions
  • Classifying astronomical phenomena in space
  • Types of environmental pollution and their impact
  • Categorizing biomes and ecosystems
  • Varieties of scientific research methodologies
  • Different approaches to genetic engineering
  • Classifying elements on the periodic table
  • Types of renewable and non-renewable resources

Classification  Essay Topics About Technology

  • Classifying types of mobile apps for productivity
  • Varieties of programming languages and their applications
  • Different genres of video games and their appeal
  • Classifying social media platforms by user interaction
  • Types of cybersecurity threats and prevention measures
  • Categorizing wearable technologies and their functions
  • Varieties of e-commerce models in the digital age
  • Different approaches to user interface design
  • Classifying types of artificial intelligence applications
  • Types of emerging technologies in information technology

Classification Essay Topics on Psychology

  • Types of psychological disorders and their symptoms
  • Varieties of therapeutic approaches in counseling
  • Different categories of personality traits
  • Learning theories in educational psychology
  • Types of memory processes and their significance
  • Mental health stigmas and awareness campaigns
  • Varieties of psychological development theories
  • Different approaches to stress management techniques
  • Types of psychological testing
  • Types of motivation theories in behavioral psychology

Classification  Essay Topics About Health

  • Types of exercise for physical fitness
  • Varieties of dietary plans and their benefits
  • Different approaches to stress reduction techniques
  • Mental health strategies for well-being
  • Types of alternative medicine and their practices
  • Health benefits of regular sleep patterns
  • Varieties of fitness apps for personal well-being
  • Different types of diets for weight management
  • Classifying types of cardiovascular exercises
  • Types of meditation techniques for mindfulness

Classification Essay Topics on History

  • Ancient civilizations by cultural achievements
  • Varieties of historical revolutions and their impacts
  • Different categories of military strategies in wars
  • Major world religions and their beliefs
  • Types of political movements throughout history
  • Historical figures by contributions
  • Varieties of architectural styles in different eras
  • Different types of government systems in history
  • Economic systems in various periods
  • Types of cultural exchanges in historical trade routes

Classification Essay Topics Sports

  • Types of team sports and their dynamics
  • Olympic Games and their historical significance
  • Categories of individual sports and their skills
  • Popular sports fan cultures
  • Types of training methods in athletic conditioning
  • Extreme sports and their adrenaline rush
  • Varieties of sports equipment and their applications
  • Different approaches to sports psychology techniques
  • Types of outdoor adventure sports
  • Types of sports nutrition plans for athletes

Classification Essay Topics Business

  • Business models in e-commerce
  • Varieties of marketing strategies for small businesses
  • Different approaches to corporate leadership styles
  • Types of entrepreneurial ventures
  • Types of financial management strategies in business
  • Categorizing customer relationship management practices
  • Varieties of business ethics and corporate social responsibility
  • Different categories of international business models
  • Types of advertising techniques
  • Types of business negotiation styles and approaches

Classification Essay Topics Politics

  • Political ideologies and their core tenets
  • Varieties of electoral systems and their impacts
  • Different approaches to international relations theories
  • Types of political parties and their platforms
  • Types of political leadership styles and their effects
  • Forms of government corruption
  • Varieties of human rights issues in global politics
  • Different categories of political activism strategies
  • Types of diplomatic negotiation techniques
  • Types of political campaign strategies and messaging

Classification Essay Topics Arts

  • Types of Olympic sports and their distinctions
  • Different team sports and their unique dynamics
  • Various athletic training programs for performance
  • Extreme sports and the thrill they offer
  • Martial arts and the philosophies behind them
  • Nutrition plans tailored for sports enthusiasts
  • Water sports and their distinct challenges
  • Approaches to understanding sports psychology
  • Diverse sports fans and their levels of enthusiasm
  • Common sports injuries and effective rehabilitation techniques

Classification  Essay Topics About Music

  • Genres of music and their cultural roots
  • Types of musical instruments and their sounds
  • Various songwriting techniques in music
  • Music festivals categorized by themes
  • Different styles of vocal performance
  • Music production technologies in categories
  • Varieties of dance styles in music videos
  • Different genres of electronic music
  • Music therapy approaches for well-being
  • Music genres classified by mood and tempo

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Classification  Essay Topics About Movies and TV Shows

  • Film genres and their unique characteristics
  • Types of TV show formats and their popularity
  • Various cinematic storytelling techniques
  • Different approaches to film editing styles
  • Streaming platforms and their content diversity
  • Categorizing movie genres by audience appeal
  • Iconic TV show characters and their traits
  • Cinematic genres and their impact on culture
  • Types of film scores and their emotional influence
  • TV show themes classified by genre

Classification  Essay Topics About Shopping and Clothes

  • Types of fashion styles and their influences
  • Different shopping habits and consumer trends
  • Varieties of clothing fabrics and their comfort
  • Fashion accessories categorized by function
  • Sustainable fashion practices and their impact
  • Categorizing clothing brands by target audience
  • Types of shopping platforms and their convenience
  • Different approaches to thrift store shopping
  • Essential wardrobe items for every season
  • Fashion influencers and their style niches

Classification  Essay Topics About Travel and Tourism

  • Adventure travel types and their thrills
  • Approaches to cultural tourism
  • Accommodation options for travelers
  • Travel destinations classified by climate
  • Sustainable tourism practices and impact
  • Transportation modes for travel categorized
  • Food tourism and culinary experiences
  • Styles of solo travel and exploration
  • Popular tourist attractions categorized by type
  • Travel budgeting strategies

Good Classification  Essay Topics About Life

  • Life goals and personal aspirations variety
  • Different approaches to time management
  • Varieties of problem-solving strategies
  • Interpersonal communication styles categorized
  • Types of coping mechanisms for stress
  • Online learning styles categorized for personal growth
  • Relationship types and dynamics variety
  • Different philosophies on a meaningful life
  • Hobbies and leisure activities variety
  • Wellness practices for a balanced life types

Classification  Essay Topics About Food 

  • Global cuisine types and their flavors
  • Approaches to vegetarian diets
  • Varieties of cooking techniques in culinary arts
  • Dessert styles and sweet treats categorized
  • Street food cultures around the world
  • Coffee and tea varieties classified
  • Ethnic spices and their uses
  • Styles of food presentation
  • Cooking shows and their formats
  • Regional food specialties and their significance

Classification  Essay Topics About Animals

  • Mammals and their diverse habitats
  • Categories of bird species worldwide
  • Marine life and ecosystems variety
  • Reptiles distinguished by physical traits
  • Insect behaviors and adaptive features
  • Amphibians and their different life stages
  • Endangered species and conservation efforts
  • Animal communication methods in the wild
  • Domesticated pets classified by traits
  • Nocturnal animals and their unique adaptations

Classification Essay Topics Mental Health

  • Mental health disorders and their symptoms
  • Coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety
  • Therapeutic approaches in counseling
  • Mental health apps and resources categorized
  • Meditation techniques for mindfulness
  • Support systems for mental well-being
  • Mental health stigmas and awareness
  • Approaches to mental health education
  • Mental health advocacy organizations classified
  • Holistic practices for mental wellness

Classification and Division Essay Topics 

  • Calming techniques that work
  • Ways of coping with stress.
  • Types of vitamins necessary for a healthy body.
  • Classify school teaching methods
  • The stages in computer evolution
  • Good teachers vs. bad teachers
  • Types of shopping behaviors
  • How do different people treat flights?
  • What are the different political parties?
  • Family dinner ideas

Easy Classification Essay Topics

  • Strategies to save money
  • Types of sellers 
  • Leadership skills
  • Techniques to stay healthy
  • Benefits of a balanced diet
  • Ways to treat depression
  • Forms of political systems
  • Types of friends in a class
  • Roles of women in different societies
  • Types of workplace bullying  

Funny Classification Essay Topics 

  • Ways to a woman’s heart
  • Myths about Santa Claus 
  • How to make your parents love you
  • Ways to annoy people 
  • How to avoid people 
  • Classification of the types of sleepers 
  • Different types of laughter
  • Halloween makeup ideas 
  • How to avoid apologizing to people
  • Myths about the tooth fairy

Tips to Pick a Classification Essay Topic

Here are some tips for selecting a good classification essay topic:

  • Passion Ignites Interest: Choose a topic that sparks your curiosity and passion; your enthusiasm will shine through your words.
  • Audience Appeal: Consider your audience's interests. A captivating topic for them ensures engagement and a compelling read.
  • Controversy Adds Flavor: Pick a subject with diverse opinions. Controversial topics often lead to thought-provoking discussions.
  • Relevance Matters: Opt for a topic that relates to current events or trends. Relevance adds immediacy and interest.
  • Scope and Depth: Ensure the topic has enough depth for exploration but isn't too broad. Striking a balance is key for a focused essay.
  • Uncover Uncommon Angles: Explore unique perspectives within common topics. Unusual angles make your essay stand out.
  • Personal Connection: If possible, choose a topic that holds personal significance. Your genuine connection will enhance your writing.

Tips For Writing A Classification Essay

A division and classification essay is a type of essay where you categorize and organize different items into distinct groups. This essay type allows you to showcase your analytical skills by sorting things into specific categories based on shared characteristics.

Here are some essential tips for writing a perfect classification essay:

Choose a Topic Wisely

Start by selecting a topic idea that genuinely interests you from the provided classification essay topics list. Consider the purpose of your essay and choose a subject that allows for diverse categorization.

Craft a Thoughtful Thesis Statement

Develop a strong thesis statement that clearly indicates the categories you will explore in your essay. Ensure your thesis is specific and provides a roadmap for your readers.

Create an Essay Outline

Plan your essay by creating your classification essay outline . This helps organize your thoughts and maintain a logical flow. Break down your essay into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Don't Forget to Include Examples

Support your categories with concrete examples to illustrate each classification. Providing examples enhances the clarity and understanding of your essay.

Be Mindful of Your Audience

Consider your audience when choosing a topic for a classification essay. Ensure it's something that resonates with them and piques their interest.

Revise and Refine

After writing your first draft, revisit your work for revisions. Ensure that each category is distinct and that your essay effectively achieves its purpose.

Emphasize Clear Organization

Maintain a clear and logical organization throughout your essay. Each category should have a distinct purpose, and transitions between categories should be smooth.

Check for Consistency

Verify the consistency of your classifications. Ensure that each category aligns with your overall thesis. Eliminate any overlap or confusion between categories.

Remember, the key to a successful classification essay lies in thoughtful organization, clear examples, and a well-defined thesis statement.

In conclusion, we hope this blog has been a valuable resource in helping you select the perfect topic for your classification essay. Our curated list of ideas aims to inspire and guide you in crafting a compelling and well-organized essay. 

However, if you still find yourself unsure of where to begin your classification essay journey, don't hesitate to seek professional help. 

The experts at MyPerfectWords.com are available 24/7 to provide the assistance you need. 

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Early iterations of the AI applications we interact with most today were built on traditional machine learning models. These models rely on learning algorithms that are developed and maintained by data scientists. In other words, traditional machine learning models need human intervention to process new information and perform any new task that falls outside their initial training.

For example, Apple made Siri a feature of its iOS in 2011. This early version of Siri was trained to understand a set of highly specific statements and requests. Human intervention was required to expand Siri’s knowledge base and functionality.

However, AI capabilities have been evolving steadily since the breakthrough development of  artificial neural networks  in 2012, which allow machines to engage in reinforcement learning and simulate how the human brain processes information.

Unlike basic machine learning models, deep learning models allow AI applications to learn how to perform new tasks that need human intelligence, engage in new behaviors and make decisions without human intervention. As a result, deep learning has enabled task automation, content generation, predictive maintenance and other capabilities across  industries .

Due to deep learning and other advancements, the field of AI remains in a constant and fast-paced state of flux. Our collective understanding of realized AI and theoretical AI continues to shift, meaning AI categories and AI terminology may differ (and overlap) from one source to the next. However, the types of AI can be largely understood by examining two encompassing categories: AI capabilities and AI functionalities.

1. Artificial Narrow AI

Artificial Narrow Intelligence, also known as Weak AI (what we refer to as Narrow AI), is the only type of AI that exists today. Any other form of AI is theoretical. It can be trained to perform a single or narrow task, often far faster and better than a human mind can.

However, it can’t perform outside of its defined task. Instead, it targets a single subset of cognitive abilities and advances in that spectrum. Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and IBM Watson are examples of Narrow AI. Even OpenAI’s ChatGPT is considered a form of Narrow AI because it’s limited to the single task of text-based chat.

2. General AI

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), also known as  Strong AI , is today nothing more than a theoretical concept. AGI can use previous learnings and skills to accomplish new tasks in a different context without the need for human beings to train the underlying models. This ability allows AGI to learn and perform any intellectual task that a human being can.

3. Super AI

Super AI is commonly referred to as artificial superintelligence and, like AGI, is strictly theoretical. If ever realized, Super AI would think, reason, learn, make judgements and possess cognitive abilities that surpass those of human beings.

The applications possessing Super AI capabilities will have evolved beyond the point of understanding human sentiments and experiences to feel emotions, have needs and possess beliefs and desires of their own.

Underneath Narrow AI, one of the three types based on capabilities, there are two functional AI categories:

1. Reactive Machine AI

Reactive machines are AI systems with no memory and are designed to perform a very specific task. Since they can’t recollect previous outcomes or decisions, they only work with presently available data. Reactive AI stems from statistical math and can analyze vast amounts of data to produce a seemingly intelligent output.

Examples of Reactive Machine AI  

  • IBM Deep Blue: IBM’s chess-playing supercomputer AI beat chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in the late 1990s by analyzing the pieces on the board and predicting the probable outcomes of each move.
  • The Netflix Recommendation Engine: Netflix’s viewing recommendations are powered by models that process data sets collected from viewing history to provide customers with content they’re most likely to enjoy.

2. Limited Memory AI

Unlike Reactive Machine AI, this form of AI can recall past events and outcomes and monitor specific objects or situations over time. Limited Memory AI can use past- and present-moment data to decide on a course of action most likely to help achieve a desired outcome.

However, while Limited Memory AI can use past data for a specific amount of time, it can’t retain that data in a library of past experiences to use over a long-term period. As it’s trained on more data over time, Limited Memory AI can improve in performance.

Examples of Limited Memory AI  

  • Generative AI: Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Bard and DeepAI rely on limited memory AI capabilities to predict the next word, phrase or visual element within the content it’s generating.
  • Virtual assistants and chatbots: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana and IBM Watson Assistant combine natural language processing (NLP) and Limited Memory AI to understand questions and requests, take appropriate actions and compose responses.
  • Self-driving cars: Autonomous vehicles use Limited Memory AI to understand the world around them in real-time and make informed decisions on when to apply speed, brake, make a turn, etc.

3. Theory of Mind AI

Theory of Mind AI is a functional class of AI that falls underneath the General AI. Though an unrealized form of AI today, AI with Theory of Mind functionality would understand the thoughts and emotions of other entities. This understanding can affect how the AI interacts with those around them. In theory, this would allow the AI to simulate human-like relationships.

Because Theory of Mind AI could infer human motives and reasoning, it would personalize its interactions with individuals based on their unique emotional needs and intentions. Theory of Mind AI would also be able to understand and contextualize artwork and essays, which today’s generative AI tools are unable to do.

Emotion AI is a theory of mind AI currently in development. AI researchers hope it will have the ability to analyze voices, images and other kinds of data to recognize, simulate, monitor and respond appropriately to humans on an emotional level. To date, Emotion AI is unable to understand and respond to human feelings.  

4. Self-Aware AI

Self-Aware AI is a kind of functional AI class for applications that would possess super AI capabilities. Like theory of mind AI, Self-Aware AI is strictly theoretical. If ever achieved, it would have the ability to understand its own internal conditions and traits along with human emotions and thoughts. It would also have its own set of emotions, needs and beliefs.

Emotion AI is a Theory of Mind AI currently in development. Researchers hope it will have the ability to analyze voices, images and other kinds of data to recognize, simulate, monitor and respond appropriately to humans on an emotional level. To date, Emotion AI is unable to understand and respond to human feelings.

Computer vision

Narrow AI applications with  computer vision  can be trained to interpret and analyze the visual world. This allows intelligent machines to identify and classify objects within images and video footage.

Applications of computer vision include:

  • Image recognition and classification
  • Object detection
  • Object tracking
  • Facial recognition
  • Content-based image retrieval

Computer vision is critical for use cases that involve AI machines interacting and traversing the physical world around them. Examples include self-driving cars and machines navigating warehouses and other environments.

Robots in industrial settings can use Narrow AI to perform routine, repetitive tasks that involve materials handling, assembly and quality inspections. In healthcare, robots equipped with Narrow AI can assist surgeons in monitoring vitals and detecting potential issues during procedures.

Agricultural machines can engage in autonomous pruning, moving, thinning, seeding and spraying. And smart home devices such as the iRobot Roomba can navigate a home’s interior using computer vision and use data stored in memory to understand its progress.

Expert systems

Expert systems equipped with Narrow AI capabilities can be trained on a corpus to emulate the human decision-making process and apply expertise to solve complex problems. These systems can evaluate vast amounts of data to uncover trends and patterns to make decisions. They can also help businesses predict future events and understand why past events occurred.

IBM has pioneered AI from the very beginning, contributing breakthrough after breakthrough to the field. IBM most recently released a big upgrade to its cloud-based, generative AI platform known as watsonx.  IBM watsonx.ai  brings together new generative AI capabilities, powered by foundation models and traditional machine learning into a powerful studio spanning the entire AI lifecycle. With watsonx.ai, data scientists can build, train and deploy machine learning models in a single collaborative studio environment.

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How Uber and Lyft Avoid Millions in Business Taxes

Gig corporations freeload off other employers that comply with laws and support safety nets..

For years, worker advocates have been asking : Why should so-called gig corporations get to ignore the rules every other business has to follow? A report issued last month by Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio shows that companies nationwide should be asking this same question.

Because Uber and Lyft treat drivers as independent businesses, rather than employees covered by workplace laws, the report estimates that in Massachusetts in 2023 alone, the two companies avoided paying approximately $47 million in unemployment taxes, workers’ compensation, and paid family and medical leave insurance. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, when she was attorney general, sued these companies in 2020 over the classification of drivers ; the trial in that case began last week.

At first glance, it may seem as though other employers wouldn’t have a horse in this race. But gig corporations like Uber and Lyft freeload off of payments that other employers make to comply with laws and support safety nets. The business community should advocate for everyone to follow the same rules, because failing to do so burdens law-abiding companies and subjects them to unfair competition.

Unemployment insurance programs provide a great example of how gig corporations take advantage of law-abiding employers. These programs are funded through employer taxes, which go into a “trust fund” used to pay benefits. In dire situations (like the COVID-19 pandemic and 2008 financial crisis), states borrow money from the federal government, which can lead to higher employer tax rates, because the state must pay interest on the loan. Accordingly, when some businesses don’t pay unemployment insurance taxes, it can lead to higher tax rates for other employers .

There’s no single estimate of how much Uber and Lyft have avoided paying in unemployment taxes nationally, but several reports and cases provide a sense of the magnitude. The Massachusetts auditor’s “best estimate” is that the two transportation network companies would have had to pay $124 million over the past decade. A 2020 California study estimated that Uber and Lyft would have owed $413 million in unemployment taxes from 2014 to 2019 if they had classified workers as employees. The New Jersey Labor Department in 2022 entered into a $100 million settlement with Uber for back unemployment taxes for a five-year period (2014–18); the state recently sued Lyft for $16 million over similar allegations. (Importantly, even though platform companies aren’t paying into unemployment systems, that doesn’t mean their workers aren’t getting benefits; many Uber and Lyft drivers have received unemployment insurance, as well they should.)

The likely scale of the problem across the entire country including all gig corporations will be dizzyingly high, almost certainly well into the billions. The available examples are limited: They come from three states, for limited time periods, and don’t include food delivery companies like DoorDash or Instacart, or newly emerging hospitality or health care companies also using this business model. Some states have unwisely created legal carve-outs for platform corporations, which also affects the likely estimates. With a war chest of unemployment taxes avoided, the obvious question is: Why should other employers pay higher unemployment taxes because gig businesses don’t pull their weight?

Gig corporations also freeload off other employers’ benefits. Consider an individual with two jobs: working for a restaurant 30 hours each week and driving for Uber for 20 hours. If that person stops working to care for an ill relative and receives unemployment benefits, that unemployment insurance claim will be attributed only to the other employer, potentially raising their rate, and not split with Uber. If the two-job worker needs medical care, or is temporarily disabled, those claims will be covered only by the other employer’s health insurance or temporary disability insurance, because Uber doesn’t provide this for drivers. And gig corporations also don’t pay Social Security and Medicare for the millions of “independent contractors” who power their daily operations.

Misclassification of workers also leads to unfair competition, as FTC Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya recently explained . I have spoken with owners of temporary agencies that lost clients or left a particular market, because they can’t compete with emerging gig companies that offer lower rates by avoiding workplace laws. It should go without saying, but: You shouldn’t have to cheat to successfully compete.

Federal, state, and local policymakers should stop letting gig corporations off the hook for flouting our core workplace laws. And business leaders nationwide should be up in arms about gig corporations’ grifting. Honest employers’ self-interest lies with everyone paying their fair share.

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When Prison and Mental Illness Amount to a Death Sentence

The downward spiral of one inmate, Markus Johnson, shows the larger failures of the nation’s prisons to care for the mentally ill.

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By Glenn Thrush

Photographs by Carlos Javier Ortiz

Glenn Thrush spent more than a year reporting this article, interviewing close to 50 people and reviewing court-obtained body-camera footage and more than 1,500 pages of documents.

  • Published May 5, 2024 Updated May 7, 2024

Markus Johnson slumped naked against the wall of his cell, skin flecked with pepper spray, his face a mask of puzzlement, exhaustion and resignation. Four men in black tactical gear pinned him, his face to the concrete, to cuff his hands behind his back.

He did not resist. He couldn’t. He was so gravely dehydrated he would be dead by their next shift change.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

“I didn’t do anything,” Mr. Johnson moaned as they pressed a shield between his shoulders.

It was 1:19 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2019, in the Danville Correctional Center, a medium-security prison a few hours south of Chicago. Mr. Johnson, 21 and serving a short sentence for gun possession, was in the throes of a mental collapse that had gone largely untreated, but hardly unwatched.

He had entered in good health, with hopes of using the time to gain work skills. But for the previous three weeks, Mr. Johnson, who suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had refused to eat or take his medication. Most dangerous of all, he had stealthily stopped drinking water, hastening the physical collapse that often accompanies full-scale mental crises.

Mr. Johnson’s horrific downward spiral, which has not been previously reported, represents the larger failures of the nation’s prisons to care for the mentally ill. Many seriously ill people receive no treatment . For those who do, the outcome is often determined by the vigilance and commitment of individual supervisors and frontline staff, which vary greatly from system to system, prison to prison, and even shift to shift.

The country’s jails and prisons have become its largest provider of inpatient mental health treatment, with 10 times as many seriously mentally ill people now held behind bars as in hospitals. Estimating the population of incarcerated people with major psychological problems is difficult, but the number is likely 200,000 to 300,000, experts say.

Many of these institutions remain ill-equipped to handle such a task, and the burden often falls on prison staff and health care personnel who struggle with the dual roles of jailer and caregiver in a high-stress, dangerous, often dehumanizing environment.

In 2021, Joshua McLemore , a 29-year-old with schizophrenia held for weeks in an isolation cell in Jackson County, Ind., died of organ failure resulting from a “refusal to eat or drink,” according to an autopsy. In April, New York City agreed to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of Nicholas Feliciano, a young man with a history of mental illness who suffered severe brain damage after attempting to hang himself on Rikers Island — as correctional officers stood by.

Mr. Johnson’s mother has filed a wrongful-death suit against the state and Wexford Health Sources, a for-profit health care contractor in Illinois prisons. The New York Times reviewed more than 1,500 pages of reports, along with depositions taken from those involved. Together, they reveal a cascade of missteps, missed opportunities, potential breaches of protocol and, at times, lapses in common sense.

A woman wearing a jeans jacket sitting at a table showing photos of a young boy on her cellphone.

Prison officials and Wexford staff took few steps to intervene even after it became clear that Mr. Johnson, who had been hospitalized repeatedly for similar episodes and recovered, had refused to take medication. Most notably, they did not transfer him to a state prison facility that provides more intensive mental health treatment than is available at regular prisons, records show.

The quality of medical care was also questionable, said Mr. Johnson’s lawyers, Sarah Grady and Howard Kaplan, a married legal team in Chicago. Mr. Johnson lost 50 to 60 pounds during three weeks in solitary confinement, but officials did not initiate interventions like intravenous feedings or transfer him to a non-prison hospital.

And they did not take the most basic step — dialing 911 — until it was too late.

There have been many attempts to improve the quality of mental health treatment in jails and prisons by putting care on par with punishment — including a major effort in Chicago . But improvements have proved difficult to enact and harder to sustain, hampered by funding and staffing shortages.

Lawyers representing the state corrections department, Wexford and staff members who worked at Danville declined to comment on Mr. Johnson’s death, citing the unresolved litigation. In their interviews with state police investigators, and in depositions, employees defended their professionalism and adherence to procedure, while citing problems with high staff turnover, difficult work conditions, limited resources and shortcomings of co-workers.

But some expressed a sense of resignation about the fate of Mr. Johnson and others like him.

Prisoners have “much better chances in a hospital, but that’s not their situation,” said a senior member of Wexford’s health care team in a deposition.

“I didn’t put them in prison,” he added. “They are in there for a reason.”

Markus Mison Johnson was born on March 1, 1998, to a mother who believed she was not capable of caring for him.

Days after his birth, he was taken in by Lisa Barker Johnson, a foster mother in her 30s who lived in Zion, Ill., a working-class city halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Markus eventually became one of four children she adopted from different families.

The Johnson house is a lively split level, with nieces, nephews, grandchildren and neighbors’ children, family keepsakes, video screens and juice boxes. Ms. Johnson sits at its center on a kitchen chair, chin resting on her hand as children wander over to share their thoughts, or to tug on her T-shirt to ask her to be their bathroom buddy.

From the start, her bond with Markus was particularly powerful, in part because the two looked so much alike, with distinctive dimpled smiles. Many neighbors assumed he was her biological son. The middle name she chose for him was intended to convey that message.

“Mison is short for ‘my son,’” she said standing over his modest footstone grave last summer.

He was happy at home. School was different. His grades were good, but he was intensely shy and was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in elementary school.

That was around the time the bullying began. His sisters were fierce defenders, but they could only do so much. He did the best he could, developing a quick, taunting tongue.

These experiences filled him with a powerful yearning to fit in.

It was not to be.

When he was around 15, he called 911 in a panic, telling the dispatcher he saw two men standing near the small park next to his house threatening to abduct children playing there. The officers who responded found nothing out of the ordinary, and rang the Johnsons’ doorbell.

He later told his mother he had heard a voice telling him to “protect the kids.”

He was hospitalized for the first time at 16, and given medications that stabilized him for stretches of time. But the crises would strike every six months or so, often triggered by his decision to stop taking his medication.

His family became adept at reading signs he was “getting sick.” He would put on his tan Timberlands and a heavy winter coat, no matter the season, and perch on the edge of his bed as if bracing for battle. Sometimes, he would cook his own food, paranoid that someone might poison him.

He graduated six months early, on the dean’s list, but was rudderless, and hanging out with younger boys, often paying their way.

His mother pointed out the perils of buying friendship.

“I don’t care,” he said. “At least I’ll be popular for a minute.”

Zion’s inviting green grid of Bible-named streets belies the reality that it is a rough, unforgiving place to grow up. Family members say Markus wanted desperately to prove he was tough, and emulated his younger, reckless group of friends.

Like many of them, he obtained a pistol. He used it to hold up a convenience store clerk for $425 in January 2017, according to police records. He cut a plea deal for two years of probation, and never explained to his family what had made him do it.

But he kept getting into violent confrontations. In late July 2018, he was arrested in a neighbor’s garage with a handgun he later admitted was his. He was still on probation for the robbery, and his public defender negotiated a plea deal that would send him to state prison until January 2020.

An inpatient mental health system

Around 40 percent of the about 1.8 million people in local, state and federal jails and prison suffer from at least one mental illness, and many of these people have concurrent issues with substance abuse, according to recent Justice Department estimates.

Psychological problems, often exacerbated by drug use, often lead to significant medical problems resulting from a lack of hygiene or access to good health care.

“When you suffer depression in the outside world, it’s hard to concentrate, you have reduced energy, your sleep is disrupted, you have a very gloomy outlook, so you stop taking care of yourself,” said Robert L. Trestman , a Virginia Tech medical school professor who has worked on state prison mental health reforms.

The paradox is that prison is often the only place where sick people have access to even minimal care.

But the harsh work environment, remote location of many prisons, and low pay have led to severe shortages of corrections staff and the unwillingness of doctors, nurses and counselors to work with the incarcerated mentally ill.

In the early 2000s, prisoners’ rights lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against Illinois claiming “deliberate indifference” to the plight of about 5,000 mentally ill prisoners locked in segregated units and denied treatment and medication.

In 2014, the parties reached a settlement that included minimum staffing mandates, revamped screening protocols, restrictions on the use of solitary confinement and the allocation of about $100 million to double capacity in the system’s specialized mental health units.

Yet within six months of the deal, Pablo Stewart, an independent monitor chosen to oversee its enforcement, declared the system to be in a state of emergency.

Over the years, some significant improvements have been made. But Dr. Stewart’s final report , drafted in 2022, gave the system failing marks for its medication and staffing policies and reliance on solitary confinement “crisis watch” cells.

Ms. Grady, one of Mr. Johnson’s lawyers, cited an additional problem: a lack of coordination between corrections staff and Wexford’s professionals, beyond dutifully filling out dozens of mandated status reports.

“Markus Johnson was basically documented to death,” she said.

‘I’m just trying to keep my head up’

Mr. Johnson was not exactly looking forward to prison. But he saw it as an opportunity to learn a trade so he could start a family when he got out.

On Dec. 18, 2018, he arrived at a processing center in Joliet, where he sat for an intake interview. He was coherent and cooperative, well-groomed and maintained eye contact. He was taking his medication, not suicidal and had a hearty appetite. He was listed as 5 feet 6 inches tall and 256 pounds.

Mr. Johnson described his mood as “go with the flow.”

A few days later, after arriving in Danville, he offered a less settled assessment during a telehealth visit with a Wexford psychiatrist, Dr. Nitin Thapar. Mr. Johnson admitted to being plagued by feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and “constant uncontrollable worrying” that affected his sleep.

He told Dr. Thapar he had heard voices in the past — but not now — telling him he was a failure, and warning that people were out to get him.

At the time he was incarcerated, the basic options for mentally ill people in Illinois prisons included placement in the general population or transfer to a special residential treatment program at the Dixon Correctional Center, west of Chicago. Mr. Johnson seemed out of immediate danger, so he was assigned to a standard two-man cell in the prison’s general population, with regular mental health counseling and medication.

Things started off well enough. “I’m just trying to keep my head up,” he wrote to his mother. “Every day I learn to be stronger & stronger.”

But his daily phone calls back home hinted at friction with other inmates. And there was not much for him to do after being turned down for a janitorial training program.

Then, in the spring of 2019, his grandmother died, sending him into a deep hole.

Dr. Thapar prescribed a new drug used to treat major depressive disorders. Its most common side effect is weight gain. Mr. Johnson stopped taking it.

On July 4, he told Dr. Thapar matter-of-factly during a telehealth check-in that he was no longer taking any of his medications. “I’ve been feeling normal, I guess,” he said. “I feel like I don’t need the medication anymore.”

Dr. Thapar said he thought that was a mistake, but accepted the decision and removed Mr. Johnson from his regular mental health caseload — instructing him to “reach out” if he needed help, records show.

The pace of calls back home slackened. Mr. Johnson spent more time in bed, and became more surly. At a group-therapy session, he sat stone silent, after showing up late.

By early August, he was telling guards he had stopped eating.

At some point, no one knows when, he had intermittently stopped drinking fluids.

‘I’m having a breakdown’

Then came the crash.

On Aug. 12, Mr. Johnson got into a fight with his older cellmate.

He was taken to a one-man disciplinary cell. A few hours later, Wexford’s on-site mental health counselor, Melanie Easton, was shocked by his disoriented condition. Mr. Johnson stared blankly, then burst into tears when asked if he had “suffered a loss in the previous six months.”

He was so unresponsive to her questions she could not finish the evaluation.

Ms. Easton ordered that he be moved to a 9-foot by 8-foot crisis cell — solitary confinement with enhanced monitoring. At this moment, a supervisor could have ticked the box for “residential treatment” on a form to transfer him to Dixon. That did not happen, according to records and depositions.

Around this time, he asked to be placed back on his medication but nothing seems to have come of it, records show.

By mid-August, he said he was visualizing “people that were not there,” according to case notes. At first, he was acting more aggressively, once flicking water at a guard through a hole in his cell door. But his energy ebbed, and he gradually migrated downward — from standing to bunk to floor.

“I’m having a breakdown,” he confided to a Wexford employee.

At the time, inmates in Illinois were required to declare an official hunger strike before prison officials would initiate protocols, including blood testing or forced feedings. But when a guard asked Mr. Johnson why he would not eat, he said he was “fasting,” as opposed to starving himself, and no action seems to have been taken.

‘Tell me this is OK!’

Lt. Matthew Morrison, one of the few people at Danville to take a personal interest in Mr. Johnson, reported seeing a white rind around his mouth in early September. He told other staff members the cell gave off “a death smell,” according to a deposition.

On Sept. 5, they moved Mr. Johnson to one of six cells adjacent to the prison’s small, bare-bones infirmary. Prison officials finally placed him on the official hunger strike protocol without his consent.

Mr. Morrison, in his deposition, said he was troubled by the inaction of the Wexford staff, and the lack of urgency exhibited by the medical director, Dr. Justin Young.

On Sept. 5, Mr. Morrison approached Dr. Young to express his concerns, and the doctor agreed to order blood and urine tests. But Dr. Young lived in Chicago, and was on site at the prison about four times a week, according to Mr. Kaplan. Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, was not one of those days.

Mr. Morrison arrived at work that morning, expecting to find Mr. Johnson’s testing underway. A Wexford nurse told him Dr. Young believed the tests could wait.

Mr. Morrison, stunned, asked her to call Dr. Young.

“He’s good till Monday,” Dr. Young responded, according to Mr. Morrison.

“Come on, come on, look at this guy! You tell me this is OK!” the officer responded.

Eventually, Justin Duprey, a licensed nurse practitioner and the most senior Wexford employee on duty that day, authorized the test himself.

Mr. Morrison, thinking he had averted a disaster, entered the cell and implored Mr. Johnson into taking the tests. He refused.

So prison officials obtained approval to remove him forcibly from his cell.

‘Oh, my God’

What happened next is documented in video taken from cameras held by officers on the extraction team and obtained by The Times through a court order.

Mr. Johnson is scarcely recognizable as the neatly groomed 21-year-old captured in a cellphone picture a few months earlier. His skin is ashen, eyes fixed on the middle distance. He might be 40. Or 60.

At first, he places his hands forward through the hole in his cell door to be cuffed. This is against procedure, the officers shout. His hands must be in back.

He will not, or cannot, comply. He wanders to the rear of his cell and falls hard. Two blasts of pepper spray barely elicit a reaction. The leader of the tactical team later said he found it unusual and unnerving.

The next video is in the medical unit. A shield is pressed to his chest. He is in agony, begging for them to stop, as two nurses attempt to insert a catheter.

Then they move him, half-conscious and limp, onto a wheelchair for the blood draw.

For the next 20 minutes, the Wexford nurse performing the procedure, Angelica Wachtor, jabs hands and arms to find a vessel that will hold shape. She winces with each puncture, tries to comfort him, and grows increasingly rattled.

“Oh, my God,” she mutters, and asks why help is not on the way.

She did not request assistance or discuss calling 911, records indicate.

“Can you please stop — it’s burning real bad,” Mr. Johnson said.

Soon after, a member of the tactical team reminds Ms. Wachtor to take Mr. Johnson’s vitals before taking him back to his cell. She would later tell Dr. Young she had been unable to able to obtain his blood pressure.

“You good?” one of the team members asks as they are preparing to leave.

“Yeah, I’ll have to be,” she replies in the recording.

Officers lifted him back onto his bunk, leaving him unconscious and naked except for a covering draped over his groin. His expressionless face is visible through the window on the cell door as it closes.

‘Cardiac arrest.’

Mr. Duprey, the nurse practitioner, had been sitting inside his office after corrections staff ordered him to shelter for his own protection, he said. When he emerged, he found Ms. Wachtor sobbing, and after a delay, he was let into the cell. Finding no pulse, Mr. Duprey asked a prison employee to call 911 so Mr. Johnson could be taken to a local emergency room.

The Wexford staff initiated CPR. It did not work.

At 3:38 p.m., the paramedics declared Markus Mison Johnson dead.

Afterward, a senior official at Danville called the Johnson family to say he had died of “cardiac arrest.”

Lisa Johnson pressed for more information, but none was initially forthcoming. She would soon receive a box hastily crammed with his possessions: uneaten snacks, notebooks, an inspirational memoir by a man who had served 20 years at Leavenworth.

Later, Shiping Bao, the coroner who examined his body, determined Mr. Johnson had died of severe dehydration. He told the state police it “was one of the driest bodies he had ever seen.”

For a long time, Ms. Johnson blamed herself. She says that her biggest mistake was assuming that the state, with all its resources, would provide a level of care comparable to what she had been able to provide her son.

She had stopped accepting foster care children while she was raising Markus and his siblings. But as the months dragged on, she decided her once-boisterous house had become oppressively still, and let local agencies know she was available again.

“It is good to have children around,” she said. “It was too quiet around here.”

Read by Glenn Thrush

Audio produced by Jack D’Isidoro .

Glenn Thrush covers the Department of Justice. He joined The Times in 2017 after working for Politico, Newsday, Bloomberg News, The New York Daily News, The Birmingham Post-Herald and City Limits. More about Glenn Thrush

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  1. How to Write a Classification Essay: Guide & Examples

    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.

  2. Classification Essay Guide: 30 Topics & Examples

    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.

  3. Classification Essay: Topics, Outline and Writing Tips

    Classification essay outline. The outline is a general description or plan that schematically displays the main points of your essay. The main point of an outline is to help you see the structure of your essay and use it as a useful guide for writing. Usually, a typical outline describes the essence of each point in one sentence.

  4. How To Write A Classification Essay in 7 Steps + Examples

    Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas About Your Subject. To start writing a classification essay, it is important to first decide on a clear and specific criteria for classification. With credible information in hand, let your creativity flow. Jot down all the possible categories related to your chosen topic.

  5. 10.4 Classification

    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.

  6. How to Develop and Organize a Classification Essay

    Updated on July 03, 2019. Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. After you have settled on a topic for a classification essay * and explored it through various prewriting strategies, you should be ready to attempt a first draft.

  7. Ultimate Guide To Writing A Classification Essay

    A classification essay is a type of academic writing in which things, people, or ideas are put into groups based on the things they have in common. The goal of a classification essay is to help readers understand a complicated topic better by breaking it down into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces. It's important to write a classification ...

  8. 4.6: Classification Essays

    Use the following classification equation to craft your thesis statement: 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.

  9. Classification Essay

    Topics: When choosing a topic make sure the topic is complex enough to be divided into categories, while not being so broad that the reader is overwhelmed with categories. Categories: Since a classification essay breaks a topic or subject into categories, it is important for each category to be distinct from one another. Categories that overlap will be nebulous and difficult for a reader to ...

  10. 15.5 Classification Essay

    A large student body means that class sizes are often larger, and some classes may be taught by graduate students rather than professors. Students will feel at home at a university if they want a focused academic program and state-of-the-art research facilities. While some universities are private, many are public, which means they receive ...

  11. How to Write a Classification Essay

    Follow the below-given steps to write a perfect classification essay. The introduction is the first and the most important section of the classification essay. Here, you have to identify the subject and mention the objects to be categorized. State an interesting hook statement to make your introduction appealing.

  12. Classification

    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 ...

  13. How to Write a Classification Essay

    A classification essay provides the necessary classification of ideas, concepts, and objects, among other applicable cases. Basically, the set, scheme, and classes are essential benchmarks that learners must consider in writing. Then, the criteria for writing academic papers bring together covered ideas and improve the ability to understand topics.

  14. 6

    Classification scheme application. 15. Library of Congress Classification 1: basic classmark construction. 16. Library of Congress Classification 2: use of tables. 17. Dewey Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic numbers. 18. Dewey Decimal Classification 2: number building.

  15. Classification/Division Essays

    Classification essays may also use short narratives or anecdotes as evidence to support or illustrate a class. Elements of Classification. There are three elements to a classification essay: the set of things being classified, the scheme (or principle of selection) for classifying the set, and the classes into which the set is divided. Set

  16. Classification and Division Essay ⇒ Writing Guide and Tips

    In classification essays, each body paragraph usually starts with the introduction of one of the categories of your classification. For division essays, it would be one of the parts of the whole. Each category should be accompanied by its characteristics and traits backed up by solid examples. 7. Write the conclusion.

  17. 182 Best Classification Essay Topics For Academic Writing

    Definition Classification Essay Topics. Topics in this category define and classify different items, concepts, or ideas. Here are ideas to explore in this section: Various types of love. Different forms of beauty. Categories of success and their differences. Various types of failure. Different categories of fear.

  18. What is a classification essay?

    The current proposal for classification of epileptic seizures and syndromes has emerged from more than 5 years of intense thought and debate. Classification of epilepsy syndromes has not changed substantially from the 1989 scheme (Commission, 1989). The classification of seizures has changed, and probably is an improvement over the 1981 system.

  19. 270+ Classification Essay Topics for Students

    Classification Essay Topics About Movies and TV Shows. 19. Classification Essay Topics About Shopping and Clothes. 20. Classification Essay Topics About Travel and Tourism. 21. Good Classification Essay Topics About Life. 22. Classification Essay Topics About Food.

  20. Evaluating classification schema and classification decisions

    A classification scheme can be judged for how well it meets its purpose and complies with standards, and a strong evaluative framework is reflected in S.R. Ranganathan's principles of classification. The degree of certainty of classification decisions depends on objective understanding of the object to be classified, the scope and details of ...

  21. Library classification: An essay in terminology

    Satija, M.P. (2000). Library Classification: An Essay in Terminology. Knowledge Organization, 27 (4). 221-229. 16 refs. ABSTRACT: Arguing that an established technical terminology is crucial to ...

  22. Library classification

    Library classification. A library classification is a system used within a library to organize materials, including books, sound and video recordings, electronic materials, etc., both on shelves and in catalogs and indexes. Each item is typically assigned a call number, which identifies the location of the item within the system.

  23. Classification Scheme Essay Examples

    Classification Scheme Essays. Molecular Biology and Classification. DNA sequencing has made the comparison and determination of organisms' relatedness at the molecular level. Before introducing DNA sequencing, the classification scheme relied on the morphological traits of organisms that ineffectively placed organisms at their respective ...

  24. Types of Artificial Intelligence

    Image recognition and classification; Object detection; Object tracking; Facial recognition; Content-based image retrieval; Computer vision is critical for use cases that involve AI machines interacting and traversing the physical world around them. Examples include self-driving cars and machines navigating warehouses and other environments ...

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  27. For Markus Johnson, Prison and Mental Illness Equaled a Death Sentence

    But Dr. Stewart's final report, drafted in 2022, gave the system failing marks for its medication and staffing policies and reliance on solitary confinement "crisis watch" cells.

  28. Implementing the Brian Deer Classification System at the Anchorage

    The purpose of this project was to research and produce a proposal for implementing the Brian Deer Classification System (BDCS) in the Archives and Library in the Atwood Resource Center at the Anchorage Museum. The intended changes will improve the searchability of library holdings and more respectfully reflect the diverse communities the ...

  29. Remote Sensing

    The Yellow River Delta wetlands in China belong to the coastal wetland ecosystem, which is one of the youngest and most characteristic wetlands in the world. The Yellow River Delta wetlands are constantly changed by inland sediment and the influence of waves and storm surges, so the accurate classification of the coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta is of great significance for the ...

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    It highlights the novel contribution of constructing a fishing port classification system using remote sensing images. The abstract is well-written and effectively conveys the essence of the research. The introduction provides relevant background information on the importance of fishing ports in China and globally. It identifies the research ...