reading response journal
Classification Reports and Partition Reports Overview
Of the seven common patterns of organization (Formal classification, informal classification, comparison, partitioning, segmenting, cause/effect, and problem/solution) we will cover two: Formal Classification and Partitioning.
Classification and Partition Reports are used to organize information into categories for easy analysis. While a classification report or a partition report is usually a part of a report that organizes data into sections for analysis, a classification analysis or a partition analysis can be a separate report, depending on the request.
The information presented in each section of the report must be parallel to other sections and exclusive to each specific section of analysis. Information in any section is not to be compared with information in another section; the information in any section must be able to stand alone. This is important to avoid complicated access to information.
First, a parallel structure provides a pattern for a reader to follow. Second, information that is exclusive to each section provides a reader access to the information from any section without having to take time scanning text in other sections. Each section must present information on one item or part. Thus, categories in a classification report or a partition report present information that is parallel, exclusive, non-overlapping, and complete. Do not give opinions or use subjective words that suggest opinions, such as expensive, small, comfortable. Just offer the facts.
A focused title provides a guide for the information needed in a classification or partition report. In addition, if the classification or partition is a separate report, an outline prefaces the report, which includes the introduction. The body of the report is formatted in sections, using headings, subheadings, and a visual that presents an overview of the reported data. This visual is presented after the introduction. A conclusion is usually not needed.
The difference between a Classification Report and a Partition Report is that the Classification Report organizes many similar subjects into groups and analyzes these subjects according to their specific parts. The Partition Report organizes the parts of a single subject and analyzes these parts according to their components.
Access the following file for an example of a Classification Report. Note that the major headings, sub headings, markers, and content following a parallel structure. In addition, note that only facts are presented. The report does not use subjective wording or offer opinions.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/oerfiles/technical+writing/Example+Classification+Report.doc
Access the following file for an examples of Partition Reports. Note that the sub groups of a Classification Report details the contents of partition reports for each group. Also note that the major headings, sub headings, markers, and content of each partition follows a parallel structure. In addition, note that only facts are presented. The reports do not use subjective wording or offer opinions.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/oerfiles/technical+writing/Example+Partition+Report.doc
The use of a diagram that visually details Classification Reports or Partition Reports add a reference for a report’s text. These diagrams usually show contents in hierarchal structures, linear structures, or layout mapping. When creating a visual that represents a report text, remember that the visual and text are mutually exclusive. Although the visual and text complement each other, each can stand alone. Each presents the same information in different formats.
See the following example of a Partition Report that details an Evacuation Plan. Note that both the diagram shows the reader the exact same details the text explains to the reader.
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/oerfiles/technical+writing/Example+Partition+Evacuation+Plan.docx
Organizational Patterns
There are seven different patterns that are commonly used to organize documents: Formal classification, informal classification, comparison, partitioning, segmenting, cause/effect, and problem/solution. Which organizational pattern is used will depend on the type of document that is being composed; however, the goal of effective organizing is to make the document easier to use, and several organizational patterns are often used in a single document.
Formal Classification
Formal classification is simply grouping facts together based on their common attributes. Each group is often divided into subgroups enabling the facts to be precisely classified. Formal classification requires that each fact can only be present in one grouping, and each grouping must follow the same principle. For example, to classify three animals, each animal should only fit into one group. A tiger, wolf, and zebra could be grouped into categories such as feline, canine, and equine. Each grouping follows the same principle of grouping the animals according to their biological family. A faulty classification would be feline, canine, and mammal because feline and canine are biological families and mammal refers to a biological class. Still further, each species can be broken up into subgroups and divisions like in cattle, Herefords and Jerseys are both cattle, but one is a beef animal and the other is a dairy animal.
Informal Classification
Informal classification can help you create a reader-centered communication when you need to organize information about a large number of items but find it impossible or undesirable to classify them according to the kind of objective characteristic that is necessary for formal classification.
Informal classification differs from formal classification because the groupings need not follow a consistent principle of classification; however, like formal classification, each fact should still only fit into one grouping. For example, a tiger, wolf, and zebra could be classified into canines and African mammals. The groupings do not follow a consistent principle, but each animal can only be grouped into one category. Informal classification is a valid organizational pattern and can be very useful to readers when properly used.
Partitioning
Partitioning refers to describing an object. If a document must be written about a bicycle, a writer may divide the description into the smaller parts of the bicycle. A writer may first describe the braking system, then the gear system, then the frame, seat, and tires. By dividing the document into smaller parts, information becomes easier to locate and the document becomes more useful to the reader.
Guidelines for Describing an Object
1. Choose a principle of classification suited to your readers and purpose.
2. Use only one basis for partitioning at a time.
3. Arrange the parts of your description in a way your readers will find useful.
4. When describing each part, provide details that your readers will find useful.
5. Include graphics if they will help your readers understand and use your information about the object.
Classifying
Organize information into logical groups.
As with describing, narrating, defining, and comparing, classifying is a component of all writing genres. Just as writers pause to describe ideas and events or define new concepts in most documents, they routinely classify information–that is, show or tell readers how information can be grouped into categories.
Occasionally, an entire document focuses on explaining a taxonomy–that is, a scheme of classification.
Why Classify Information?
To make knowledge, we routinely categorize information. A biologist might refer to the periodic table. A musician might speak about country music, new age music, jazz, or techno. A movie critic might talk about suspense, thriller, drama, or comedic movies. A religious studies professor might discuss Christian religions, Muslim sects, and Buddhist practices. As a college student, you might talk about specific colleges’ sports teams according to the divisions their teams play in. Universities often subdivide areas of specialty according to the following categories:
1. Natural sciences
· Agriculture
· Geology
· Biology
· Zoology
2. Social sciences
· Psychology
· Political Science
· Sociology
· Anthropology
· Social work
3. Applied science
· Biomedicine
· Mathematics
· Chemistry
· Engineering
· Physics
4. Humanities
· English literature
· American studies
· History
· Interdisciplinary studies
· Modern languages
· Architecture
· Art history
5. Fine arts
· Painting
· Sculpture
· Ceramics
· Theater
Comparing and Contrasting
Define content by comparing and contrasting categories or classes of objects.
Comparing and contrasting issues can be a powerful way to organize and understand knowledge. Typically, comparing and contrasting require you to define a class or category of objects and then define their similarities and differences.
Comparing and contrasting are very natural processes, a strategy we employ in our everyday lives to understand ideas and events. We learn new ideas by comparing the new ideas with what we’ve learned in the past. We understand differences between people and events by comparing new events and people to past people and events. Comparisons are often conducted to prove that one concept or object is superior to another. People selling a grant idea or business proposal or people marketing a product may compare and contrast one idea or product to another, advocating their position. As consumers, we routinely compare and contrast. For example, you could compare MP3 players by going to an online site and noting different brands, products, descriptions, prices, shipping costs, dealer rankings, and the states of the dealers. You could compare used cars by noting their make/model, cost,Consumer Reports ranking, and availability. Students are frequently asked to compare and contrast topics for essay examinations. In fact, comparing and contrasting are extremely common academic exercises.
How to Effectively Compare and Contrast Information
When comparing and contrasting, you can either chunk or sequence your analysis. When you chunk you analysis, you first talk about Choice A, explicating whatever points you wish, and then discuss Choice B, elaborating as necessary. For example, if you were comparing the Miami Hurricanes football team to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, you could have a paragraph or so about the Hurricanes and then move on to the Cornhuskers.
Alternatively, when sequencing, you flipflop your analysis, discussing one component of Choice A and Choice B, then another component of Choice A and Choice B, and so on. For example, if you were arguing who would make a better president, George W. Bush or Al Gore, you could discuss Bush and Gore’s views on the environment, then their views on health care reform, taxation, and so on.
People seem to find texts that sequence information easier to follow than texts that chunk information, perhaps because each unit of analysis is compared tit for tat. In other words, you don’t need to hold in your memory what the writer said about Subject A, Topic 3 while reading Subject B, Topics 1 and 2.
|
Chunking |
Sequencing |
|
Choice A I. Subject A A. Topic 1 Subject A B. Topic 2 Subject A C. Topic 3 II. Subject B A. Topic 1 Subject B A. Topic 1 Subject B A. Topic 1 |
Choice B I. Topic 1 A. B. II. Topic 2 A. B. III. Topic 3 A. B. |
Example
· Fact Sheet: Airline security: Federalizing workers at issue for lawmakers by CNN .