Classification Paragraphs

What Is Classification Paragraph?

Classification paragraph organizes, or sorts, people or items into categories. For examples,

Techniques for Writing Classification Paragraphs

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence presents a topic and an organizing principle -- how things are classified; for examples, they are classified by kinds, by colors, by ages, by race, etc.

Topic Sentence = Topic + Organizing Principle

Look at the examples.
There are two kinds of students in my class.

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences support the topic sentence by telling each category and examples of things in the category.

Supporting Sentences = Categories + Examples in the categories

Look at the example.
Topic sentence = There are two kinds of students in my class.
Supporting Sentences =
    Category 1: Active students
        + Example of Category 1: work hard, proactive, rarely absent, involved...
    Category 2: Passive students
        + Example of Category 1:lazy, chat, do not do homework, absent...

Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence closes the paragraph by restating the topic sentence, summarizing the main categories, making a prediction about the topic, or giving a suggestion about the topic.

Organizing Your Ideas in Classification Paragraphs

You may organize your ideas in this way.

Title
Topic Sentence =  
      Topic + Organizing Principle
Supporting Sentences = 
      Category 1 + Examples in the category 1
      Category 2 + Examples in the category 2
      Category 3 + Examples in the category 3 
Concluding Sentence = 
      Restate / Summarize / Predict / Suggest

Sample Classification Paragraphs

Students in My Class

There are two kinds of students in my class. First, some of them are classified into active students. These students work hard; they rarely absent. They are proactive and organized for the class. Also, they pay attention and are involved in class activities. Second, the rest of them are categorized as passive students. These kinds of students do not study by heart; they are often absent. During class, they do not really pay attention to teaching. Some even try to chat in the class. All in all, some of students are active, while the rest are passive.

Reference:

Susan Anker (2010). Real Writing. Paragraph and Essays for College, Work, and Everyday Life. 5th edition