The primary support in classification consists of the categories that serve the purpose of the classification.
The categories in classification are the “piles” into which the writer sorts a topic (the items to be classified). These categories will become the topic sentences for the body paragraphs of the essay.
| TOPIC | College costs |
| THESIS STATEMENT | Tuition is only one of the many costs of going to college. |
| ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE | Types of costs other than tuition |
| PURPOSE | To show the different kinds of costs and their significance |
| CATEGORIES/ PRIMARY SUPPORT | Fees, costs of course materials, transportation expenses |
The supporting details in classification are examples or explanations of what is in each category. The examples in classification are the various items that fall within each category. These are important because readers may not be familiar with your categories.
CATEGORY: Fees
EXAMPLES/SUPPORTING DETAILS: General student fee assessed to each student, lab fees, computer fees
CATEGORY: Costs of course materials
EXAMPLES/SUPPORTING DETAILS: Costs of books, lab manuals, software
CATEGORY: Transportation expenses
EXAMPLES/SUPPORTING DETAILS: Costs of gas, parking, train and bus fare