Division-Classification Essay
Division-Classification Essay is Due ________________. It is to meet the following criteria:
2-3 pages in length; not including the Works Cited page
Follow MLA formatting and provide both in-text citing and a Works Cited page. Refer to the printed MLA Mini-Manual for help or any of the online sources on the handout for using sources.
A clear thesis statement is required for help with thesis statements refer to the handout on creating them.
Use a minimum of two outside sources for support refer to source handout for help. Be very careful to use reputable sources as outlined in the handout.
NEVER use Wikipedia self policed websites cannot be counted on for truthful and credible information.
A clean, printed, hard copy is to be turned in to the professor in class.
The essays are due on the assigned day (on the syllabus) and will be docked one letter grade per day that they are late. That means EVERY day, not just class days.Purpose: Division involves taking one part or concept and breaking it down into parts. An example is a mall. Most malls are divided into a food court, anchor department stores, strip stores connecting the anchor stores and kiosks in the walkways. Classification takes two or more items and relates them in some logical way. An example is a book store. Books are grouped in such categories as fiction, non-fiction, cooking, crafts, childrens books and magazines. Those segments can then be broken down into smaller, more manageable segments. The purpose of this type of essay is to order ideas so that they are in easily explained categories. This type of essay works well for such assignments as: Students often have various types of attitudes toward their education and work ethic. Categorize the types of students on a typical college campus and explain the characteristics of each. Assignments of division-classification often include words such as: kinds, parts, types, categories, components, etc.Audience: The audience for this type of essay is wide. This type of writing could involve explaining a process by dividing into parts, explaining the effects of something, arguing for or against something by explaining it one segment at a time or classifying things into small parts to make them easier to follow.Organization and Development: The writer must choose a subject that is easily classified or divided. Choose a single principle for each section of the essay and define it through the use of its characteristics, etc. For example, if the writer chose to explain the types of students at his or her college and their attitudes toward education, some segments might include: race/ethnicity, majors, economic background, living arrangements, parents educational level, participation in campus activities, etc. These segments would then be analyzed to explain how each of these factors play a role in shaping attitudes toward education by staying focused on the goal of analyzing students attitudes toward education. Organizing the information logically and following a clear thesis is important in division-classification writing. A strong thesis supporting intent to evaluate students attitudes toward education and then logical follow through is essential. One effective way is through emphatic order by beginning with the least important factor and ending with the most important one. Ending this type of essay by stating conclusions that the writer has made and/or making recommendations is effective. Often breaking a subject down into parts and analyzing them individually creates surprising insight that enhances the essay if it is shared.Criteria for Evaluation: 100 points
30 points: Development
Has clear introduction and thesis statement.
Follows clear organizational pattern
Has appropriate title in the correct placement
Type of audience is considered
Tone is appropriate for the topic
Topic is supported fully
Has clear transitions from point and paragraph to point and paragraph
Style of conclusion is both suited to the topic and logical without adding new information
Stays on topic and does not veer off in unnecessary directions
35 points: Grammar
Has no comma splices
Has no run-ons or fragments
Uses correct pronoun agreement
Uses varied sentence structure
Spelling is carefully checked
Word choice is clear and appropriate
There is no faulty subject or verb agreement
All sentences are parallel
Commas and apostrophes are used correctly
Underlining, italics, capital letters, etc. are correct
35 points: Proper Use of MLA
Spacing is correct; without extra spaces used unnecessarily (2.0)
Proper information is listed at the top and left (Name, Class, Assignment Type/#, Date)
Name and page #s are at the top right inch from the top
In-text citations are correct and in the right place
Is the correct length with the correct number of sources
The Works Cited page has the proper format and correct heading
Information is properly credited to sources
Has proper margins and fonts