A successful classification or division essay uses one principle of classification or division to create meaningful categories or parts that are broad enough to include all of the members of the group.

Developing an effective set of categories or parts requires you to do two things.

Several different principles can be used to categorize groups or divide an item into parts, so writers should choose a principle of classification or division that is appropriate to their purpose and audience. For instance, to inform parents about the types of day care facilities on or near campus, you might classify day care centers according to the services they offer because your readers would likely be looking for that information. If you were writing to persuade readers to take their children to a new museum, you might divide the exhibits according to their suitability for children of different ages.

Choose categories (for classification) or parts (for division) that do not overlap. In other words, each item that you discuss should fit in no more than one category. A familiar example is age: The categories 25 to 30 and 30 to 35 are not mutually exclusive because someone who is 30 years old would fit into both. In an essay about the nutritional value of pizza, you could divide your topic into the nutritional attributes of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, but you should not add a separate category for saturated fat because it is already contained in the fats category.

The categories or parts you choose should also be comprehensive. In a division essay, all the major parts of an item should be included. In a classification essay, each member of the group should fit into one category or another. For example, an essay categorizing fast-food restaurants according to the type of food they serve would have to include categories for pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, and fried chicken.

A classification or division essay should contain enough detail for readers to understand each category or part easily. Use facts, descriptions, quotations, comparisons, or examples to help readers to “see” your categories or parts.

The thesis statement of a classification or division essay should identify the topic. It may also reveal the principle used to classify or divide the topic. In most cases it also should suggest why the classification or division is relevant or important.

Here are two examples of effective thesis statements.

Importance (implied)

Most people consider videos a form of entertainment; however, videos can also serve educational, commercial, and political functions.

Categories

The Grand Canyon is divided into two distinct geographical areas — the North Rim and the South Rim — each offering different views, activities, and climatic conditions.

Topic

Priniciple

The following readings demonstrate the techniques for writing effective classification or division essays discussed above. The first reading is annotated to point out how Jerry Newman classifies fast-food managers. As you read the second essay, try to identify for yourself how Michael Moss uses the techniques of division to show what makes potato chips nearly irresistible.