Classification: What is it, what groups or categories can it be sorted into?
Assignment: Your second report is that of classification. Choose three related things /
concepts from your field and write a classification report. Your audience is a person who
has little knowledge of your topic, specifically of how those items are classified.
Thus far we have discussed a three forms technical writing forms: memo, summary,
and definition. Each of these, as you are aware, has practical purposes depending upon
audience and purpose. The next type of report we will write is used for particular
purposes too. You will note if you are paying attention that this paragraph has begun
classifying technical writing forms into sub-categories. That's what classification is all
about, breaking large ideas or concepts into smaller units in order to understand the
small issues or parts involved.
Organizing the classification report is fairly simple and requires two different
elements. First, the categories you create must be mutually exclusive; the elements in one
do not bleed over into the next. For example, when we discussed definition, we did not
talk about how it could be used in an analysis, nor did we confuse the issue by discussing
how summary is often used in classification reports. Instead, we discussed the structure
and purpose. Understanding that elements of one form can be used within others will come
with practice;however, learning requires clarity.
Second, classification reports are usually arranged in order of importance, either
ascending or descending. In ascending order, the least important or least complex point is
in the first paragraph. In descending order, the reverse is true. For instance when
classifying rhetorical strategies, we would discuss narration first, compare/contrast
second, and cause/effect third in ascending order, as narration is the easiest strategy to
grasp, and cause and effect is much trickier. Use the diagram below to help with
understanding how to organize the classification report.
| Ascending Order |
| Introduction--explains what we will classify Thesis:
Technical writing forms are the meat and bones of the report; simple, clear knowledge of
each is a must. |
| Paragraph 1: The first and simplest form we learned was the summary.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
|
| Paragraph 2: The definition form was not quite as simple.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
| Paragraph 3: The most recent form we learned was analysis, which is
the most complex form thus far.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
| Conclusion |
Of course, remember you can have many body paragraphs. These three are used for
illustration only as there are indeed more technical forms.
| Descending Order |
| Introduction--explains what we will classify Thesis:
Technical writing forms are the meat and bones of the report; simple, clear knowledge of
each is a must. |
| Paragraph 1: The most complex form we learned so far was the analysis
form.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
| Paragraph 2: The definition form was not quite as complex.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
| Paragraph 3: The simplest form we learned was the summary.
|
point 1--give definition of what it means to be in this category
point or example 2--list some general characteristics of it
point or example 3--give specifics of it
|
| Conclusion |
| Purpose and audience will determine which order you choose. Pay particular note to how
each body paragraph contains the exact information the others do. Since clarity of
thoughts and ideas is expressed through your clear understanding of your topic, the
balance of information presented in each paragraph is a must. Keywords
that can be included in the classification reports are classes, parts, elements, factors,
characteristics, aspects, kind, type, traits, divisions, subdivisions, categories,
primarily, most and least important, first, next, and final. Of course these are just a
few of the many available to you.
A summary of this handout:
 | The technical writing form of classification relies upon breaking down large ideas or
concepts into smaller parts in a clear and distinct manner; |
| the categories or groups you choose must be mutually exclusive; |
| the order listed, either ascending or descending, depends upon purpose and audience; |
| concrete evidence must be used; |
| transition words should be placed throughout the
classification report. |
|
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