This document discusses division and classification. Division breaks things down into subunits, like dividing New York into sections for natives, commuters, and transplants. Classification places items into categories, like putting animals into the mammal category. When planning an essay, division and classification can be used to determine categories and organize the essay. The thesis should present the categories that will be used, such as dividing stereo shoppers into those focused on looks, wattage, price, or quality.

1. Division and Classification

2. WHAT IS DIVISION?

3. Division
• Breaks down a single unit into subunits
• Effective method for making sense of a
complex structure
• Ex. Three New Yorks
1. New York for the native
2. New York for the commuter
3. New York for the transplant

4. WHAT IS CLASSIFICATION?

5. Classification
• Places individual
items into
categories
Lion
Mammals
• Used to draw
connections Elephant
Ex. Museum of Natural Bears
History

6. PLANNING YOUR ESSAY

7. Purpose
• Demonstrate a particular point
• Help writers and readers make choices
• What’s yours?!
– Determines categories
– Determines pattern of organization

8. Thesis
• Presents the categories that you will be
using
Ex. “Eventually, though, I was able to
divide all stereo buyers into four
categories: the looks buyer, the wattage
buyer, the price buyer, and the quality
buyer.”

9. ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY

10. • Easily organized
• Divisions reflect categories:
– Three Types of Stereo Shoppers
1. The Looks Buyer
a) Least respected
b) Appearance of stereo paramount
2. The Wattage Buyer
a) More respected
b) Volume level capability paramount
3. The Price Buyer
a) Understood but not respected
b) Cost concerns paramount

11. Categories must be:

12. • Appropriate to your purpose
• Consistent and mutually exclusive
• Complete