Unit 5: Division-classification

1. Unit 5: Division-classification Karen French English 1301

2. What is Division-classification? • The basic definition is that division-classification is a method of organization that uses systems, categories, or other sorting mechanisms to make chaotic and complex daily life more manageable.

3. If you have read or viewed the world of Harry Potter, then… • You already have some familiarity with division-classification! • It works like this: • *Witches and wizards mill about the campus of Hogwarts. • *They are divided into their respective houses by the magical sorting hat. • *They are divided into their “year” of study. • *They are classified according to their fields of study. • *They are classified according to their scores on their exams.

4. In our world… • If you have been to the grocery store or even to the hospital, you have lived in a world that uses division-classification!

5. CLASSIFICATION • Think of classification as a way of categorizing. What you are doing is finding common denominators among ideas or objects that are different. Make sure the areas do not overlap. Don’t omit an obvious and important category. Make sure that the categories remain logical.

6. EXAMPLE… What’s wrong with this plan? The classification is of houses: brick, frame, ranch, and big. Which one above doesn’t fit?_________ Stucco fits. Adobe fits. Big belongs to a different basis of classification -- size rather than style.

7. DIVISION • Think of division as analysis, a breaking down of a thing into parts that are more easily understood. You are breaking the topic down into its constituent parts. Divisions are explicit parts of a single whole. Make sure your parts are logical and accurate.

8. Example… What is wrong with this plan? The division of the house for the real estate ad includes number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, number of garages, and carpeting. Which one above doesn’t fit?___________________ Number of closets fits. Number of dining rooms fits. Carpeting is not a division of the house. It is an amenity of the house.

9. Basic Structure: • Classification • I. Introduction *State thesis in last sentence • Body *In order of least to most important, identify in separate paragraphs the various categories with examples. • Conclusion *Restates the categories of the thesis and, as a significance – or answer to the question, “So what?” implied in any composition – stresses the value of the classification system expressed in the essay.

10. Basic Structure • Division • I. Introduction *States thesis in last sentence (idea or object to be analyzed and to what end) • Body *Renders the parts, in separate paragraphs, with examples and with transitional materials to provide a sense of their inter-relatedness. • Conclusion *Restates the parts of the thesis (and the significance) and attempts to convey a new understanding of the constituent parts.

11. ASSIGNMENTs for next time: • Final draft of the comparison-contrast essay ALONG WITH ROUGH DRAFT AND PEER EVALUATIONS! **Already stapled with final draft on top of rough draft and peer evals. • Reading of the essay “Doublespeak” on pp. 288-291 in your textbook.

12. Strategies for Division-classification • Select a principle of division-classification consistent with your purpose. Make sure that you stay with that one principle and that it contributes to the development of the essay. *A single principle of division-classification provides the foundation for each major section of the paper.

13. Apply the principle of division-classification logically. • *Decide on the organizing principle after careful thought. • *Be sure that the principle is as complete as possible. It should include – within reason – all the parts into which you can divide your subject, or all the types into which you can categorize your subject. • * Be sure that the principle is applied consistently: the parts of the essay should be mutually exclusive; they should not overlap.

14. Prepare an effective thesis geared toward your method, either division or classification. • The thesis should state the paper’s subject and attitude. • The thesis should state the organizing principle being used in the paper. • The thesis should reveal the part or category you regard as most important.

15. Sample Classification thesis • As the observant beachcomber moves from the tidal area to the upper beach to the sandy dunes, rich variations in marine life become apparent. • *What is the organizing principle? (location) • *Purpose is to inform • *No category seems to be viewed as most important; however, the third mentioned should be in the “saving the best for last” position.

16. Sample division thesis • Although most people focus on the dangers associated with the disposal of toxic waste in the land and ocean, the incineration of toxic matter may pose an even more serious threat to human life. • *What is the organizing principle? (method of disposal) • Purpose is to take a stand • The thesis makes known the author’s position that the last method of disposal is most detrimental.

17. Organize the paper logically. • *Introduction (with thesis last in the paragraph) • *First Category • *Second Category • *Third Category (most important or interesting) • *Conclusion • (use signal devices: another, next, final…)

18. State any conclusions or recommendations in the paper’s final section. • * Since the body portion of the paper is for the analytical discussion of the essay’s main points, be sure to provide the insight in the conclusion as a discovery. This will help to give a feeling of significance and closure to your essay!

19. OVERALL PATTERN FOR SUCCESS

20. Prewrite • 1. Select a subject to be simplified or analyzed, or one that has diverse parts to be ordered. (see below for your topic choices) • 2. Use brainstorming and mapping to determine the parts of your subject and/or to group like parts together.

21. Identify a thesis • 1. Consider a plan of development in your thesis statement. • 2. Preview the body’s main points, saving the best or most important for last!

22. Find evidence • Choose a single principle for each major section. • Check that each principle serves your purpose and audience. • Select evidence from your prewriting that supports the principle.

23. Organize the evidence • Classification Method • Identify a list of items • Group items by type or similarities • Division Method • Identify a single concept or unit • Break the unit or concept into its parts

24. Write a first rough draft • Make your analysis as complete and consistent as possible. • Try to discuss comparable points in each section. • Supply clear transitions to clarify connections. • State your conclusions or recommendations in the final section.

25. Revise and Edit • Pay attention to helpful comments made on the peer evaluation. • Check that the analysis is logically developed, consistent, and complete.

26. ANALYSIS of “DoubleSpeak” pp. 288-291 (306-310)

27. Introductory paragraphs and thesis (paragraphs 1-3) • Examples of doublespeak • Thesis: Doublespeak is language that pretends to communicate but really conceals thought.

28. Background: Item to be divided • Paragraph 3: • Questions to ask to identify doublespeak

29. Details of division (paragraphs 4-18) • First kind of doublespeak: euphemism • *definition (find it) • *positive and negative examples (find some)

30. Second kind of doublespeak: jargon • *definition (find it) • *positive and negative examples (find some)

31. Third kind of doublespeak: gobbledygook/bureaucratese • *definition (find it) • *Mostly negative examples (find some)

32. Fourth kind of doublespeak: inflated language • *definition (find it) • *Mostly negative examples (find some)

33. Concluding Paragraph ( 19) • Author’s negative view of the goal and the effect of doublespeak (find it)

34. ASSIGNMENT • See your calendar for your topics. • Decide whether you understand or like one pattern more than the other; then, • Choose one topic that you feel you can be most successful writing about. • Rough draft is due next time for peer evaluation.