Classification Essay Topics

The overall purpose of a classification essay is to categorize people, places, things, or ideas into groups that make sense. Lots of things in life are categorized – types of plants and animals, types of chemical compounds, types of medicine, types of furniture, and so forth. So, when you are assigned a classification essay, you will need to decide the following:

1. What large group of people, places, ideas, or things can you categorize?
2. If you are assigned a group, of course, you have no options, but you will then need to decide the criteria for dividing up members of the group into small segments.
3. You will also need to determine the purpose for you classification essay – to inform, o persuade, or to entertain.

Possible Topics

Topics for classification essay assignments may be serious or humorous, and if you have options, you can decide if you want to entertain or to deal with a more serious subject. So, here are some potential topics that might interest you:

Humorous Classification Essay Topics

1. Types of shoppers
2. Types of sports fans
3. Types of drivers
4. Types of roommates
5. Study habits
6. Dances
7. Diets
8. Teachers (could be humorous or serious)
9. Neighbors
10. Relatives
11. Dates – first, blind, formal, informal, bad, etc.
12. Students – nerds, jocks, preps, stoners, etc.

Serious Classification Essay Topics

1. Music
2. Art
3. Terrorists
4. Politicians
5. Parents
6. Kids
7. Students
8. Religions
9. Mental Illnesses
10. Substance Abuse programs
11. Economies
12.  Political Systems
13. Alternative energy sources
14. Pollution
15. Bosses
16. Poetry

Structuring Your Essay

No matter what topic you might choose for your essay, the structure will be the same. You will need to include the following:

1. An introduction that states your topic and purpose (the large group you are going to be dividing into categories), and your thesis statement. This statement and include a personal reaction or opinion. For example, “There are several different types of economic systems in the world, but those that work for the majority of people are probably combinations.” Your essay will then provide a description of each economic system. Your conclusion will present your belief about the right combination of systems that are most beneficial.
2. Body paragraphs – each paragraph will address a class within the large group, provide a description of that class, and then a transition sentence that will lead the reader to the next group.
3. Conclusion – Here you can make personal comments about the groups and/or present your opinion of them.
4. Get creative, especially if your classification is humorous. Come up with your own “titles” for your “classes” and present them humorously

Above all, do not struggle with a classification essay if you are unable to come up with a topic or if the topic that has been assigned is a difficult one for you. Get some help from an expert classification essay writer at EssayWriting.education – someone who can create a great piece of writing for you.