In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer readable media for generating an optimal classifying query set for categorizing and/or labeling textual data based on a query subsumption calculus to determine, given two queries, whether one of the queries subsumes another. In one aspect, a method includes generating a group of determining queries based on analyzing text within a document; receiving a group of classifying queries; and, for each determining query within the group of determining queries, determining whether at least one of the classifying queries is subsumed by the determining query; and updating the group of classifying queries in an instance in which the classifying query is subsumed by the determining query.