Summary: Organize information into logical groups.
As with describing, narrating, defining, and comparing, classifying is a component of all writing genres. Just as writers pause to describe ideas and events or define new concepts in most documents, they routinely classify information--that is, show or tell readers how information can be grouped into categories. Occasionally, an entire document focuses on explaining a taxonomy--that is, a scheme of classification.
Why Classify Information?
To make knowledge, we routinely categorize information. A biologist might refer to the periodic table. A musician might speak about country music, new age music, jazz, or techno (seemusical genres for additional examples). A movie critic might talk about suspense, thriller, drama, or comedic movies. A religious studies professor might discuss Christian religions, Muslim sects, and Buddhist practices. As a college student, you might talk about specific colleges' sports teams according to the divisions their teams play in. Universities often subdivide areas of specialty according to the following categories:
- Natural sciences
- Agriculture
- Geology
- Biology
- Zoology
2. Social sciences
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Social work
3. Applied science
- Biomedicine
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Physics
4. Humanities
- English literature
- American studies
- History
- Interdisciplinary studies
- Modern languages
- Architecture
- Art history
5. Fine arts
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Ceramics
- Theater
Online Examples > Classifying Essays
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