Tutorial - Classification

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Writing classifications

When we classify objects, ideas, people, etc. we divide them into groups or categories according to a common basis.

We can classify things in different ways. For example, if we wanted to classify students at the PolyU, we could divide them into categories according to subject, year, religion, etc.

The way we classify something depends on our purpose. What we select and how we arrange our materials depends on what we are trying to accomplish.

When you write classifications, make sure that your classes or categories are organised in a logical way. There is more than one correct way to organise any list of information and ideas. However, do not try to classify according to two different systems at once.

The statements below contain examples of language items which are commonly used in making classifications e.g.:

Languages can be divided into natural and artificial ones.
There are two main ways of classifying natural languages: genetic and typological.

Six categories of learning styles are presented.

Exercise

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