Many genres invite the use of classification, including concept explanations, proposals, evaluations, and speculations about causes. If classifying ideas, information, or experience will help your readers understand a concept or accept a proposal or an evaluation, use these sentence strategies to begin putting your ideas into words. You will probably want to rework these sentences to make them your own, but they may give you a jumping-
Use Rhetorical Questions to Establish the Categories
How does X develop, and how does it continue in _____[name stage or period]? Researchers A and B provide answers to these questions.
Use Comparison or Contrast to Establish the Categories
X is similar to/different from Y in these ways: _____,_____, and_____.
Use Causes and Effects as Categories
Recent research on X demonstrates that when _____ [state cause], it often _____ [state effect].
Use Reasons as Categories
What makes X problematic/praiseworthy is_____,_____, and_____.
I’m also/not concerned about X because_____,_____, and_____ [state reasons].
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List the Categories
X can be divided into 4 categories: _____, _____ ,_____and_____.
Experts like Professor A say there are _____ categories/types/subtypes/versions of X ranging from _____ to _____ (citation).
Experts disagree over the causes of X. Some, like Dr. A, believe _____ (citation). Others, like Dr. B, contend that _____ (citation).
Use Cues to Forecast Categories
Researcher A identified three basic types/categories of X. The first type/category is_____. It does/is/has_____[name distinguishing characteristics]. The second/next type/category is_____. It does/is/has_____ [name distinguishing characteristics]. The final/third type/category is_____. It does/is/has_____[name distinguishing characteristics].