Classification and Division Paragraph / Essay

Division deals with one subject only. It divides the subject into its component parts, pieces, or sections for closer examination. An example of this is a movie. A movie can be divided into several books or parts. The movie “The Lord of The Rings” is a trilogy. The story comes in three installments. Another example is a paragraph or an essay which is divided into introduction, body and conclusion.

Writing an effective division shows a subject’s parts, or what a subject is made or composed of. Grade, level, stage, and part are words that indicate division.

Classification, on the other hand, deals with a plural subject. It sorts a group of similar subjects according to some quality or characteristic that they share in common. For example, neighbors can be classified according to their attitudes: friendly, snoopy and aloof. Of course, there are still other ways to classify neighbors. With classification, subjects can be categorized in many ways based on different principles or criteria of classification.

Writing an effective classification should be consistent with the set criteria. In addition, categories should be arranged in logical order, and avoid overlapping of categories.

Ordering of Details:

1. Emphatic

2. Spatial

3. Chronological

(example - division paragraph)
(example - classification paragraph)

Elements of a Paragraph

Learning how to write a paragraph can be beneficial particularly to students like you. It can always help you in answering essay type exam questions. It can also help you express your thoughts through writing. But how do you know that you are doing the right thing. Knowing the elements of a paragraph can help you organize your thoughts.

Writing a successful paragraph is like creating a sandwich. In making a sandwich, you need all the right ingredients: a bun (the top and the bottom) and a variety of fillings. In writing a paragraph you need the top bun (or loaf bread) which serves as your topic sentence. The topic sentence contains (or introduces) the main idea of the paragraph. The topic sentence helps you to organize/keep your thoughts together. The fillings, on the other hand, adds flavor to your sandwich. In writing, these fillings are the supporting details that provide enough evidence/support to your topic sentence. The fillings make you want to have more of the sandwich while the supporting details in your paragraph make it more interesting for the readers to continue reading your work. The bottom bun (or loaf bread) ensures that your sandwich stays in place. In writing, the bottom bun (or loaf bread) holds all the supporting details together Can you imagine eating your sandwich without the bread? So you see? A delicious sandwich is complete with all the ingredients; likewise, a good paragraph has all the necessary elements it needs to make it a successful one.