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Technical Writing Classification

This document discusses the technical writing technique of classification. It explains that classification involves breaking a topic down into categories (genus) and then further explaining each category based on their similarities (species). There are three required elements for classification: the genus (class the term belongs to), basis (main reason something falls into a class), and species (class members with their own characteristics). An example of classifying types of crystal glass is provided. Guidelines for the classification writing technique are also listed, such as having a clear basis for grouping species and discussing classes thoroughly.

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Ray Cahayag
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172 views9 pages

Technical Writing Classification

This document discusses the technical writing technique of classification. It explains that classification involves breaking a topic down into categories (genus) and then further explaining each category based on their similarities (species). There are three required elements for classification: the genus (class the term belongs to), basis (main reason something falls into a class), and species (class members with their own characteristics). An example of classifying types of crystal glass is provided. Guidelines for the classification writing technique are also listed, such as having a clear basis for grouping species and discussing classes thoroughly.

Uploaded by

Ray Cahayag
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TECHNICAL WRITING

TECHNIQUE NO. 4
It’s a TECHNICAL WRITING TECHNIQUE that makes you explain a
thing by breaking this thing into categories and explaining each
class based on their similarities.

Which requires the presence of these 3 elements

GENUS
BASIS
SPECIES
GENUS
THE CLASS TO WHICH TERM TO BE EXPLAINED BELONGS
OR THE TOPIC

CRYSTAL GLASS
BASIS
THE MAIN REASON OR PRINCIPLE THAT CAUSES THE OBJECT TO FALL
INTO ONE CLASS

BASIS: SHAPES OF
CRYSTAL GLASS
CRYSTAL GLASS
SPECIES
(SAME SINGULAR AND PLURAL FORM) THE CLASS MEMBER HAVING
CHARACTERISTICS OR DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES OF ITS OWN

Hexagonal Crystal Tetragonal Crystal


Glass Glass

BASIS: SHAPES OF
CRYSTAL GLASS
CRYSTAL GLASS

Trigonal Crystal Cubic Crystal


Glass Glass
More Example
GENUS: SPECIES:

TREE BASIS:
TYPES OF
TREES
Maple Birch Coconut
Tree Tree Tree

According to BASIS Types Trees Coconut Tree becomes one of the species of the
genus TREE. The others are Maple Tree And Birch Tree. If the Coconut Tree is broken
into categories based on one criterion or reason, this could be converted into a genus
with several species. Thus, in a classification-writing technique, genus and species are
convertible or interchangeable; that is, a genus can become species or vice versa.

COCONUT FIJI DWARF WESTCOAST MACAPUNO


VARIATY OF COCONUT
TREE COCONUT TALLCOCONUT COCONUT
TREE
TREE TREE TREE
GUIDELINES FOR CLASSIFICATION-WRITING
TECHNIQUE
1. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE, AUDIENCE, AND TOPIC VERY WELL.

2. DEFINE YOUR TOPIC FIRST IN A ONE-SENTENCE LOGICAL DEFINITION BEFORE BREAKING IT INTO VARIOUS GROUPS.

3. HAVE A CLEAR AND SPECIFIC BASIS, REASONS, OR GUIDING PRINCIPLE FO PUTTING SPECIES IN ONE GROUP.

4. USE ONLY ONE BASIS TO EXPLAIN OR JUSTIFY THE PRESENCE OF SPECIES UNDE ONE GENUS.

5. BASE YOUR GROUPING ON IMPORTANT AND PRACTICAL BASIS.

6. IDENTIFY ALL SPECIES BASED ON ONE GIVEN BASIS OR GUIDING PRINCIPLE.

7. PROVIDE A MINIMUM NUMBER OF TWO CLASSES PER BASIS AND TWO SPECIES PER GENUS.

8. INCLUDE SPECIES THAT ARE RELEVANT OR APPLICABLE ONLY TO ONE PARTICULAR GENUS OR CLASS RATHER THAN FOR ALL GENERA.

9. PRESENT ALL CLASSES BASED ON ONE CRITERION OR GUIDING PRINCIPLE BUT DISCUSS ONLY ONE CLASS FULLY AND THOROUGHLY AT A TIME.

10. EXPLAIN WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE TOPIC IN LOGICAL OR AN ORGANIZED WAY BY STARTING YOUR DISCUSSION FROM ONE GENUS TO THE LAST CLASS.
1 - 3 What are the Three Elements Require in Classification.
1.
2.
3.

4. How many Guidelines are there for Classification-Writing Technique

5. True Or False - “Genus and Species are Convertible’’

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