Classification can be organized in different ways (time order, space order, or order of importance) depending on its purpose.
| PURPOSE | LIKELY ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|
| to explain changes or events over time | time |
| to describe the arrangement of people / items in physical space | space |
| to discuss parts of an issue or problem, or types of people or things | importance |
As you write your classification, use transitions to move your readers smoothly from one category to another.
Common Transitions in Classification
| another | for example |
| another kind | for instance |
| first, second, third, and so on | last |
| one example / another example |
CLASSIFICATION AT A GLANCE
Introduction with thesis statement
Organizing principle + purpose
OR
Organizing principle + categories + purpose
First category
Examples/explanations
Second category
Examples/explanations
Third category
Examples/explanations
Conclusion
Refers back to the classification’s purpose and makes an observation