E-10 Division and Classification Essay Guidelines (July, 2011;.docx

E-10 Division and Classification Essay Guidelines (July, 2011;
g:ASC EngRead) Page 1
Writing Handout E-10:
Division-and-Classification Essay Guidelines
Structuring a Division-and-Classification Essay
A classification or division essay groups objects, people, or
events into categories by the
characteristics that they share. Usually the writer begins with a
group of people or things and then
separates them into subgroups or types. There are a several
steps to writing an effective division or
classification essay.
1. Establish a subject
Select at topic that has a general grouping that can be classified
or divided into subgroups or
classifications. Examples:

2. Present a clear thesis
Your thesis should inform the reader of the subject of the essay
and identify the categories
or groups.
3. Follow an organizational pattern
An outline of your groups and their characteristics will help you
write a logical classification
essay. You should include specific details that form a basis of
classification.
4. Use transitions
Transitional words help the reader follow your groupings.
5. Draw a conclusion
Restate the thesis and reach a conclusion concerning the group
and subgroup. Conclusions
for classification essays offer an opportunity for creativity,
including humor or a
recommendation.
Sports Activities
Baseball
Soccer
Tennis

Basketball
Swimming
Music
Country-western
Classical
Rock
Folk
Rhythm and Blues
Florida’s Tourists
Tropical adventurer
Amusement park visitors
Palm Beach set
Daytona Beach fans
Key West travelers

Classification Sample
Title:
Note how title relates to
essay. Title of essay is
not underlined.
Introduction:
Introduction guides
reader to the thesis
statement, indicating a
general group (tourists)
that will be classified.
First body paragraph:
This body paragraph
identifies one
classification of
tourists: the tropical
adventurer.
Second body paragraph:
This paragraph
indicates another group:
visitors to theme parks.
Note the transition
word: "another."

Third body paragraph:
Sometimes, a second
paragraph may be
needed to expand upon
an idea or concept..
Florida’s Trapped Tourists
Florida is the nation's virtual melting pot for many reasons.
One of the
biggest reasons is that the state is awash in tourist attractions.
The Sunshine
State's variety of attractions often makes it easy for those who
live there to
identify and classify the tourists. South Florida's natural
attractions hint of
adventure; Orlando's theme parks lure families and newlyweds;
West Palm
Beach promises a snobby, luxurious life-style; and Key West
offers hedonistic
escapades.
One classification of Florida tourists is the tropical adventurer,
easily
distinguishable by an ever-present camera or video recorder.
Although even
Floridians occasionally take pictures, cameras provide one clue
that someone is
a visitor to the state. For example, a man wearing a pith
helmet, a fifty-pocket
photo vest, Banana Republic shorts, and L.L. Bean super-duty
sandals while

taking pictures of children looking miserably cute in the glaring
sun could be a
Floridian; however, if the guy in the pseudo-adventurer garb is
telling the
children to move closer together so he can include a palm tree,
airboat, stuffed
alligator, or bikini-clad bimbo, he is a tourist. This man falls
into the tropical
adventurer category because he is not trying to capture a special
moment in his
children’s lives, but endeavoring to record a particular object
that proves to
friends and family that he has indeed led his brood upon a
Sunshine State
safari. It is always the background that this type is focused on,
the proof of
tropical adventure.
Another type of easily identified tourists includes those drawn
like
lemmings to the magical, mystical, or confined-animal theme
parks. These
people may include families or hand-holding, smooching
newlyweds. They are
all under the impression that a park such as Rodent World is the
perfect fun or
romantic getaway. These tourists obviously find it fun and
romantic to stand
in long lines among rude teenagers and whiny toddlers who are
constantly
being chastised by grumpy, overweight, under-dressed, sweaty
parents -- all
suffering from the heat and habitual humidity or the punctual
afternoon
thunderstorms.
When the storms do strike, a bizarre scenario unfolds: The

individual
tourists are transformed into a giant pulsating entity composed
of a zillion
bright yellow plastic ponchos bearing a portrait of "the Rodent."
Battalions of
these tourists, all clad in these fourteen-dollar-bright-yellow
slickers are a true
testament of the Rodent's mass-marketing magic. If it isn't
raining, this variety
of tourist is distinguishable by goofy-looking hats and T-shirts
bearing the
likenesses of various princesses, ducks, mice, dogs, chipmunks,
or various
other “cutesified” critters.
Essay continues on next page
The Palm Beach set also stands out as a distinct variation of
tourists. Often, these are successful businessmen (or their sons)
and their
wives, all of whom showcase deep tans from leisurely or
sporting activities.
They often wear expensive, name-brand resort clothes, or
nautical-motif attire.
The women can be identified by "name-dropping" shopping
bags, enormous
sunglasses, strange hats, and expensive sandals on perfectly
pedicured feet.
The men are usually found on the golf course or in the country
club lounge,

where they brag of luxury cars, sailboats, stock market prowess,
or deep-sea
fishing conquests. Because some of these people spend many
months in the
state, they have even convinced themselves that they are true
"Floridians," not
tourists.
Daytona Beach also adds to Florida's melting-pot of tourism,
but
Daytona visitors arrive by season: In February and July, it's
auto-racing fans; in
March and April, it's college students on spring break; and in
the fall, it's Speed
Week bikers. However, if a member of one group tends to stray
into another
group's season, it's still easy to sort out who's who. Auto racing
fans wear
shirts with giant numbers that barely cover giant bellies; the
college kids don't
wear shirts at all; and the bikers are the totally nude, tattooed
dudes (and
“dudettes”) spraying one another down in the car washes.
The final group of tourists is far more difficult to spot because
it is easy
to blend into the locale: Key West. There are few places, for
example, where a
large man can slip into a small, tight-fitting, zebra-striped
dress; plant a cheap,
blond wig on his head; toss on a pair of spiked heels; and fit
right in with the
crowd.
Although the Key West carnival atmosphere can make tourists
more
difficult to spot, they are not completely invisible. Pale skin,
fiery red skin, or
peeling skin are clues. So are new Hawaiian shirts, designer

swim suits, and the
stench of Coppertone. So too are the stunned looks at
restaurants when
visitors learn that the glass of water they requested costs more
than the rum-
laden planter's punch. By happy hour, however, all differences
tend to dissolve
in Margaritaville as everything becomes a tropical blur, and all
are totally
uncaring of who is native and who is tourist.
Of course, all of this is not to say that Floridians begrudge
tourists their
"traps" because the "natives" often visit them, too. In fact,
many Floridians
visit theme parks, the Palm Beaches, Daytona, or Key West
because they enjoy
watching tourists. The tourists who flock to Florida attractions
become
Florida attractions themselves.
- Jamie Harris
Fourth body paragraph:
A transitional phrase in
the first sentence notes
another tourist
category: the Palm
Beach set.

Fifth body paragraph:
Transition indicates
another group (Daytona
tourists) and provides
examples.
Sixth body paragraph:
Transition indicates
final subgroup (Key
West tourists) and gives
specific, descriptive
examples. Again, for
longer papers, more
than one paragraph
may be necessary to
provide details.
Conclusion:
Last paragraph shows

creative possibilities for
a classification essay.
Note to students: This essay is a sample to illustrate format.
Course instructors have
copies. Duplication or near duplication would be regarded as
plagiarism.
Wk 4 Discussion 2- Kaley Jones-Lord of the Rings
Kaley Jones
12/18/2016 7:07:57 PM
From the AFI’s 10 top 10 list, under the Fantasy section, I have
chosen to analyze the most brilliant and recognized cast from
Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring. As one of the
most epic tales of our times, the actors had be incredibly
versatile and prepared to embark on a journey to building J.R.R.
Tolkien’s characters on screen—making the mammoth of a task
a truly remarkable piece of acting genius.
· Identify three actors from your film and classify each
according to the acting category listed in your text. Explain
your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific
references to the film and pay special attention to how these
decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact
of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film.
Ian McKellen (Gandalf)—McKellen is a renowned actor for
various films, but for this epic trilogy, McKellen leveraged his
skills in acting to balance stylized and realism techniques.

Following the outlined text from the Lord of the Rings books
required McKellen to follow a script closely. This portion of his
acting was stylized due it drawing attention to the acting as well
as provides confines for McKellens’ character—Gandalf—to
stay within. To the contrary of the pre-determined text and
mannerisms, McKellen also balance his dialogue with Frodo
(Elijah Wood) to be reminiscent of a regular human interaction.
“This is acting that doesn't draw attention to itself but instead
gives the impression of genuine human action and reaction”
(Goodykoontz, Jacobs, 2016).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1wb1Dpyjc. It is this
balance between drawing attention to the acting and then
transitioning to the sweet interaction of friends in a realistic
fashion that exemplifies McKellens’ skill in acting.
Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)—Wood has made multiple
appearances in various fantasy films, but remains most
recognized for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of The
Rings trilogy. In the first of the three films, Wood is cast in a
very stylistic role. Much of his acting outline very specifically
in the books in regards to mannerism and dialogue. The acting
that Wood participates in draws attention to his script and
directed actions. Most notably, the stylized acting can be seen
in Frodo’s obsession over the ring. Its power is excessive and
exaggerated through Wood’s acting.
Andy Serkis (Gollum)—As an integral part of the film, Serkis is
well known for his method acting style. While fully taking the
role of a multi-personality, ring-obsessed, magic-entranced
hobbit, Serkis displayed incredible ability to float effortlessly
between the two personalities. Between his love and hate
relationships with the ring and the love hate relationship with
himself, the character was personified by Serkis facial
expressions and dialogue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbW-Zv_kR5Q.
Furthermore, Serkis inhabits the character to truly intrigue the

audience in to attempting to understand if he is a good or evil
for. The ability to bring human feelings and inner-conflict to a
role requires deep characterization and improvisation, which
method acting styles allows for.
· Focus on one of the actors you’ve discussed. Based on other
films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in
the same category? If so, what does this say about the category
or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these
categories? Provide evidence (references from other films,
including film clips and stills) to support your argument.
The incredibly talented Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum in the
Lord of the Rings trilogy, is renowned for his boundary pushing
ability to convey powerful meanings while confined to a capture
suit. “No actor has performed as many leading roles in a
performance-capture suit as Serkis” (Medeiros, 2014). From
Planet of The Apes to timeless films like Star Wars: The Force
Awakens, Serkis is cast in prominent roles requiring his specific
set of skills. His unique ability to transmit a powerful image,
message, and look through the CGI tracking technology is
setting Serkis apart from other actors, securing his future in
similar category films. “…the Method requires that actors draw
on their own memories and experiences to reach the heart of a
character, so that they more genuinely feel the emotions they're
portraying instead of just pretending to.” (Goodykoontz, Jacobs,
2016). Through leveraging his human experience, new
characters are born with impactful human parallels. He
conceived Gollum as an addict whose inner struggle translated
into an out-of-control convulsive physicality” (Medeiros, 2014).
His commitment to the role went even deeper, where he spent
hours in isolation searching for Gollum’s’ character within
himself. For King Kong, he followed a group of wild mountain
gorillas in Rwanda for two weeks to internalize the grooming,
feeding, and traveling techniques of gorillas. Although I do not
generally believe that one character is chosen for a specific
category of film, I would say that Andy Serkis is an exception.
As he grows in popularity and acting, he becomes even more

rooted in this method style acting. In the following clip, we can
see his ability to draw on his experience and relationship with a
few of the major characters he has represented:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgO1rL65sk. The acting
style itself may not be flexible for Serkis, but his roles are very
much varied. The method style acting he has committed himself
to allows for his gift of embodying the character to carry his
career and name into stardom.
References
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching
to seeing (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu/
Medeiros, J. (2016). Andy Serkis is changing the face of film-
making. Retrieved December 18, 2016, from
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/planet-of-the-apes-andy-serkis
Motion picture. (2001). United States: New Line Cinema.
Retrieved December 18, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbW-Zv_kR5Q
Motion picture. (2001). United States: New Line Cinema.
Retrieved December 18, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1wb1Dpyjc
Total Film (2014). Retrieved December 18, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgO1rL65sk
Week 4 discussion 2
Jeffrey Robichaud
12/25/2016 6:54:17 AM
For my week 4 discussion 2, I chose to watch and review Saving

Private Ryan. The characters I will study are Tom Hanks as
Captain Miller, Matt Damon as Private Ryan, and Jeremy
Davies as Corporal Upham the interpreter. The first, Tom hanks,
I would classify as Realism. In his role he gave a very real
feeling of a leader grappling with many life and death decisions
that arise during a war. In the following scene
(http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2607875865) he
tries to rally his troops who are ready to give up on the mission
of finding Ryan. In the scene he makes the mission more real by
encompassing his wife and family as a reason for being
successful and being able to go home. The second actor and
category is Matt Damon as Private Ryan. He seemed to be using
the Method type acting. His lines seemed more rehearsed and
memorized. He was a little stiffer throughout the film. The third
is Jeremy Davies as Corporal Upham, a bumbling clerk and
interpreter who I would classify as stylized acting. His acting is
over the top as a scared soldier who isn’t ready or willing, to go
to the front lines. At the end of the following clip when
Captain Miller employs him as his interpreter, he is fumbling
and dropping things as he tries to get out of his new role
(http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/244135/Saving-Private-
Ryan-Movie-Clip-Public-Relations-Mission.html).
Tom Hanks is certainly not always using realism in his film as
seen by his portrayal of Forrest in Forrest Gump and as Josh on
Big. Hanks has mastered many roles and characters throughout
his career and is a very diversified actor. He could never be
type-cast as a certain type of actor or style. References
IMDB, Inc. (2016). Saving Private Ryan. Retrieved from IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2607875865
Turner Classic Movies, Inc. (2016). Saving Private Ryan-Public
Relations Mission. Retrieved from Turner Classic Movies:
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/244135/Saving-Private-
Ryan-Movie-Clip-Public-Relations-Mission.html

Week 4 Discussion 1 Steven Spielberg
Jeffrey Robichaud
12/22/2016 7:23:42 PM
For my week 4 discussion 1 I chose Steven Spielberg to discuss
auteur theory. He has directed some of my favorite movies of
the war genre. Those would be Saving Private Ryan, War Horse
and Schindler’s List. While he has directed many, many movies,
it could easily be argued for him to be an auteur director. Even
beyond the war movies I mentioned, the same could be said
about this directing of movies, such as the Indiana Jones
movies, Hook, and The Goonies. His style is easily recognizable
in these. Although these movies give credence to the auteur
theory, one could argue against it by looking at some of the
many other movies he has directed. Directors who have done
many less movies could be argued easier for the auteur theory.
Directors with a broader history, such as Spielberg, make it
harder to draw conclusions. Many times the trailers and
marketing advertisements, help to connect certain directors, but
that is not always the case. According to V. Renee, “Our most
popular and treasured directors tend to have a signature style,
that special touch that is all their own, that lets the audience
know, right away, whose hands sculpted the films they're
watching” (Renee, 2015). I think she said it best. She goes on to
say that maybe it really doesn’t matter. Just enjoy the movie
and quit arguing.Works Cited
Renee, V. (2015, March 12). What's an Auteur. Retrieved from
No Film School: http://nofilmschool.com/2015/03/whats-auteur-
complete-breakdown-provacative-rebel-theory

Wk 4 Discussion 1- Kaley Jones--Tim Burton
Kaley Jones
12/18/2016 7:03:05 PM
As you construct your initial post, focus on the importance of
auteur theory in film analysis and interpretation.
· Name a director who you would consider an auteur and
explain your reasoning.
There are many directors who are widely known for their styles
and personal visions, but none are so recognized as Tim Burton.
An auteur is explained in our text as an author who imprints
his/her personal visions on the film they are directing. Tim
Burton is certainly a well-known and respected director for
various reasons—mainly pertaining to his cinematic
characteristics and visions. Due to his unique blend of horror
and fantasy themed films, Burton’s vision is recognized world-
wide. It is anticipated that any Burton film will have innovative
characters, creative interpretation of different worlds, and the
casting of highly-regarded actors who can accurately play his
outlandish characters. With these signature characteristics and
productions, Tim Burton fits the description of an ‘auteur’
perfectly.
· Discuss the arguments against auteur theory and provide
examples to support your points.
Critics who disagree with the auteur theory largely believe that
it is not an accurate discussion forum for the success (or lack
of) for any film. One of the prominent arguments against the
auteur theory states that the theory gives the author too much
recognition or power of the films impact. “One of the problems

with auteur theory is that it tends to diminish the role that
others play in the creation of a film” (“Auteur Theory”, 2016).
With this approach, nay-sayers argue that a films’ success
cannot rest solely on the achievements and signature styles of
the director. The emphasis on the director’s characteristics and
development do not equate to the interpretation skill and acting
skill of the other cast members and can often leave the analysis
of the film incomplete. Those who oppose the theory also argue
that knowledge used to build the plot of the film may also be
exclusive. "Interior meaning seems to be what those in the
know, know. It's a mystique—and a mistake" (Kael, 1963). The
issue of ‘common knowledge’ is highly varied and may
contribute to ill-placed allegiance to a director due to their
supposed signature style, when truly it is leveraged from a place
of exclusive knowledge.
· Examine how the auteur theory influences audiences and
critics, using examples from film criticism, film marketing
campaigns, and your own personal experience.
The general film-enjoying public basis their decisions of what
films to see on their experience with the director, the theme,
and the actors in the film. Through using the auteur theory as an
analysis tool, critics and marketing campaigns can manipulate
the potential audience. Targeting specific audiences that feel
aligned to particular directors due to their personal vision will
increase box office sales of that film. Similarly, critics who
review films may be predetermined to look for consistent
patterns within a film based on the directors’ signature styles.
Marketing campaigns such as TV commercials and social media
often times contribute to the overall success of a film by toting
information about the films director and flashing ‘classic’ styles
of the auteur that the public has come to expect of them.” The
auteur theory of criticism gives them creative credit for their
films and at the same time turns them into stars” (Goodykoontz,
Jacobs, 2016). In regards to Tim Burton, personally, I will
always feel a desire to see any of his films based on the oddity
and imaginative plots he designs. Despite film critiques or

marketing for any of his films, I would still venture to any of
his films based on the dark and twisted fantasy escape his films
offer as well as exposure to the talent of his normal cast, such
as Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Burton has said: “I
have a problem when people say something’s real or not real, or
normal or abnormal. The meaning of those words for me is very
personal and subjective” (Tim Burton Biography).His very
interpretation of life and differences among human interactions
is what set his signature vision in films. This approach to the
human experience of life is what makes his films a joy to
experience and is also what contributes to excellent critical
analyses of his films.
References
Auteur Theory (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/siryan/screen/auteur%20the
ory.html
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching
to seeing (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from
https://content.ashford.edu/
Kael, P., Kauffmann, S., Lambert, G., & Sarris, A. (1963).
Films of the quarter. Film Quarterly, 16(3), 61–64.
Tim Burton Biography (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.biography.com/people/tim-burton-9542431#batman-
and-beyond

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E-10 Division and Classification Essay Guidelines (July, 2011;.docx