写段落的方法 (五)
(8) 分类法（Classification）
如果题目范围广泛的话，可按其内容先归纳分类，形成小组，再研究彼此间的关系，令读者更易明白。进行项目分类时，先找出项目的特性, 每篇文章最好只用一种原则作分类。
步骤：
1. 根据一种原则，如衣着类型－formal, semiformal, casual
2. 描述及对每一类作出定义，如什么是 formal dressing
3. 每一类都作举例说明，如以服装 sweat shirts, T-shirts属于 casual dressing，你也可以场合来举例，如在晚宴时，与会人士多穿著formal dressing
4. 对比各类的特点
5. 总结
Kinds of Hotels
Hotels are found in every country and city of the world and even in communities with few inhabitants. That’s why the hotel industry ranks high among the largest worldwide industries. Today, the lodging industry offers many new alternatives for the traveling public. Some properties offer luxury accommodations; others offer budget accommodations; while still others accommodate the need of travelers to be away from home. Whatever the reason, there are many different kinds of hotels and they can be classified according to their size, facility, type, price, or service. Generally, we can classify these hotels into three large groups based on location.
Airport hotels accommodate the air traveler. Because air travel has become more common, this kind of hotel has become more popular. The principal distinction is that it is located near airports. It is very convenient to the traveler. Its guests include passengers with short stay-over or cancelled flights and travelers who are in business. The length of stay is between one to three days for the guests. These kinds of hotels provide a limited level of service and the rates are usually between low to medium. The Hilton, the Marriott, and the TraveLodge are among the smaller hotel chains.
Downtown hotels, also called commercial hotels, are located near large office complexes and retail stores in the major metropolitan areas. Their primary markets are in the business industry. The downtown hotels are near business destinations for daytime activities and are close to city’s entertainment center for nighttime activities. This combination is attractive to people attending meetings and conventions. Although the primary market for these hotels is the business traveler, many tourists use them as well. The length of stay for the guests is between three to five days and rates can run between medium to high depending on the hotel. The downtown hotels have a variety of services such as room service, a coffee shop, laundry services, a gift shop and a swimming pool. The downtown Hyatt-Regency is a well-known hotel in this category.
There are also the resort hotels located near the beaches, mountains, or spas. Resorts hotels are destinations or parts of a destination complex and their primary clients are vacationers and recreation-minded people. Guests in these resorts can spend from one week to an entire season. The resorts hotels must provide guest entertainment. Because the resort guests expect to be entertained right on the premises, they are willing to pay higher rates. The level of service is much higher than what an airport or downtown hotel offers. These complexes are designed with the family and children in mind. The most famous of these is the Walt Disney World Resort, which includes not only the theme park but also all varieties of water sports, campgrounds, and golf courses.
There may be a few other general areas where hotels are located, such as along the interstate highways, but most of them are located near airports, in the downtown areas, and in resort areas.
(by Carlos Palacio)
以上一文是以酒店的种类为题，作者以酒店的”位置”来分类，共分为三组，首先是机场酒店，其次是市区酒店（或称商务酒店），最后是度假式酒店，作者介绍每类酒店的不同特点，包括：位置、住客类型、价钱、设施等 ，并作出比较分析，令文章层次分明，同时亦举例说明，加强理据的说明力，最后一段则作总结。在撰写有关分类的文章或段落时，不妨以此作参考。
Transitions for Classification
在撰写一篇分类的文章时，我们可以同时使用对照法及举例法。
1. 介绍类别时，可使用：
The first group includes those……
The next group includes those……
The last group includes those……
And finally, there is the type that……
2. 表示相同或相异时，可使用：
Unlike the hard-working student, the……
However, like the hard-working student, the……
This class is more boring than the…
3. 表示例子，可使用：
For example, when one student asked him to repeat his explanation, he became very angry.
Peter is typical of the hard-working student.
4. 强调重要性：
Of the four types of students, the hard-working students are……
This group is in the majority.
Exercise:
Choose one of the following topics for a classification paragraph or essay:
1.Types of exercise programs
2.Types of television programs
3.The books you read
