Because the Nissan has the lowest initial price, it receives the most favorable judgment. The evidence is found on the price tag. Each car is compared by way of a single criterion: cost.
When we evaluate informally (passing judgments during the course of conversation, for instance), we typically assume that our criteria are self-evident and require no explanation. However, in written evaluation, it is often necessary that we clarify and define our criteria in order to make a persuasive evaluative argument.
Although we frequently find ourselves needing to use abstract criteria like "feasibility" or "effectiveness," we also must avoid using criteria that are overly vague or personal and difficult to support with evidence. As evaluators, we must steer clear of criteria that are matters of taste, belief, or personal preference. For example, the "best" lamp might simply be the one that you think looks prettiest in your home. If you depend on a criterion like "pretty in my home," and neglect to use more common, shared criteria like "brightness," "cost," and "weight," you are probably relying on a criterion that is too specific to your own personal preferences. To make "pretty in my home" an effective criterion, you would need to explain what "pretty in my home" means and how it might relate to other people's value systems. (For example: "Lamp A is attractive because it is an unoffensive style and color that would be appropriate for many people's decorating tastes.")
When you make judgments, it is important that you use criteria that are appropriate to the type of object, person, policy, etc. that you are examining. If you are evaluating Steven Spielburg's film, Schindler's List , for instance, it is unfair to criticize it because it isn't a knee-slapper. Because "Schindler's List" is a drama and not a comedy, using the criterion of "humor" is inappropriate.
Once you have established criteria for your evaluation of a subject, it is necessary to decide which of these criteria are most important. For example, if you are evaluating a Mexican restaurant and you have arrived at several criteria (variety of items on the menu, spiciness of the food, size of the portions, decor, and service), you need to decide which of these criteria are most critical to your evaluation. If the size of the portions is good, but the service is bad, can you give the restaurant a good rating? What about if the decor is attractive, but the food is bland? Once you have placed your criteria in a hierarchy of importance, it is much easier to make decisions like these.
When we evaluate, we must consider the audience we hope to influence with our judgments. This is particularly true when we decide which criteria are informing (and should inform) these judgments.
After establishing some criteria for your evaluation, it is important to ask yourself whether or not your audience is likely to accept those criteria. It is crucial that they do accept the criteria if, in turn, you expect them to accept the supporting judgments and overall claim or judgment built on them.
Related Information: Explaining and Defending Criteria
In deciding which criteria will be effective in your evaluation is determining which criteria your audience considers important. For example, if you are writing a review of a Mexican restaurant to an audience comprised mainly of senior citizens from the midwest, it is unlikely that "large portions" and "fiery green chile" will be the criteria most important to them. They might be more concerned, rather, with "quality of service" or "availability of heart smart menu items." Trying to anticipate and address your audience's values is an indispensable step in writing a persuasive evaluative argument.
Related Information: Understanding Audience Criteria
Laura Thomas - Composition Lecturer Your background experience influences the criteria that you use in evaluation. If you know a lot about something, you will have a good idea of what criteria should govern your judgments. On the other hand, it's hard if you don't know enough about what you're judging. Sometimes you have to research first in order to come up with useful criteria. For example, I recently went shopping for a new pair of skis for the first time in fifteen years. When I began shopping, I realized that I didn't even know what questions to ask anymore. The last time I had bought skis, you judged them according to whether they had a foam core or a wood core. But I had no idea what the important considerations were anymore.
Evidence consists of the specifics you use to reach your conclusion or judgment. For example, if you judge that "La Cocina's green chile is superb" on the basis of the criterion, "Good green chile is so fiery that you can barely eat it," you might offer evidence like the following:
"I drank an entire pitcher of water on my own during the course of the meal."
"Though my friend wouldn't admit that the chile was challenging for him, I saw beads of sweat form on his brow."
Related Information: Example Text
In the following paragraph, evidence appears in italics. Note that the reference to the New York Times backs up the evidence offered in the previous sentence:
Since killer whales have small lymphatic systems, they catch infections more easily when held captive ( Obee 23 ). The orca from the movie "Free Willy," Keiko, developed a skin disorder because the water he was living in was not cold enough. This infection was a result of the combination of tank conditions and the animal's immune system, according to a New York Times article .
Evidence for academic evaluations is usually of two types: concrete detail and analytic detail. Analytic detail comes from critical thinking about abstract elements of the thing being evaluated. It will also include quotations from experts. Concrete detail comes from sense perceptions and measurements--facts about color, speed, size, texture, smell, taste, and so on. Concrete details are more likely to support concrete criteria (as opposed to abstract criteria) used in judging objects. Analytic detail will more often support abstract criteria (as opposed to concrete criteria), like the criterion "feasibility," discussed in the section on criteria. Analytic detail also appears most often in academic evaluations of solutions to problems, although such solutions can also sometimes be evaluated according to concrete criteria.
Good evidence ranges from personal experience to interviews with experts to published sources. The kind of evidence that works best for you will depend on your audience and often on the writing assignment you have been given.
When you choose evidence to support the judgments you are making in an evaluation, it will be important to consider what type of evaluation you are being asked to do. If, for instance, you are being asked to review a play you have attended, your evidence will most likely consist primarily of your own observations. However, if your assignment asks you to compare and contrast two potential national health care policies (toward deciding which is the better one), your evidence will need to be more statistical, more dependent on reputable sources, and more directed toward possible effects or outcomes of your judgment.
Comparison and contrast is the process of positioning an item or concept being evaluated among other like items or concepts. We are all familiar with this technique as it's used in the marketing of products: soft drink "taste tests," comparisons of laundry detergent effectiveness, and the like. It is a way of determining the value of something in relation to comparable things. For example, if you have made the judgment that "La Cocina's green chile is superb" and you have offered evidence of the spiciness and the flavor of the chile, you might also use comparison by giving your audience a scale on which to base judgment: "La Cocina's chile is even more fiery and flavorful than Manuel's, which is by no means a walk in the park."
In this case, the writer compares limestone with wood to show that limestone is a better building material. Although this comparison could be developed much more, it still begins to point out the relative merits of limestone. Concrete is a feasible substitute for wood as a building material. Concrete comes from a rock called limestone. Limestone is found all over the United States. By using limestone instead of wood, the dependence on dwindling forest reserves would decrease. There are more sedimentary rocks than there are forests left in this country, and they are more evenly distributed. For this reason, it is quite possible to switch from wood to concrete as the primary building material for residential construction.
Comparing and contrasting rarely means placing the item or concept being evaluated in relation to another item or concept that is obviously grossly inferior. For instance, if you are attempting to demonstrate the value of a Cannondale mountain bike, it would be foolish to compare it with a Huffy. However, it would be useful to compare it with a Klein, arguably a similar bicycle. In this type of maneuver, you are not comparing good with bad; rather, you are deciding which bike is better and which bike is worse. In order to determine relative worth in this way, you will need to be very careful in defining the criteria you are using to make the comparison.
In order to make comparison and contrast function well in evaluation, it is necessary to be attentive to: 1) focusing on the item or concept under consideration and 2) the use of evidence in comparison and contrast. When using comparison and contrast, writers must remember that they are using comparable items or concepts only as a way of demonstrating the worth of the main item or concept under consideration. It is easy to lose focus when using this technique, because of the temptation to evaluate two (or more) items or concepts rather than just the one under consideration. It is important to remember that judgments made on the basis of comparison and contrast need to be supported with evidence. It is not enough to assert that "La Cocina's chile is even more fiery and flavorful than Manuel's." It will be necessary to support this judgment with evidence, showing in what ways La Cocina's chile is more flavorful: "Manuel's chile relies heavily on a tomato base, giving it an Italian flavor. La Cocina follows a more traditional recipe which uses little tomato and instead flavors the chile with shredded pork, a dash of vinegar, and a bit of red chile to give it a piquant taste."
A variety of writing assignments call for evaluation. Bearing in mind the various approaches that might be demanded by those particular assignments, this section offers some general strategies for formulating a written evaluation.
Sometimes your topic for evaluation will be dictated by the writing assignment you have been given. Other times, though, you will be required to choose your own topic. Common sense tells you that it is best to choose something about which you already have a base knowledge. For instance, if you are a skier, you might want to evaluate a particular model of skis. In addition, it is best to choose something that is tangible, observable, and/or researchable. For example, if you chose a topic like "methods of sustainable management of forests," you would know that there would be research to support your evaluation. Likewise, if you chose to evaluate a film like Pulp Fiction , you could rent the video and watch it several times in order to get the evidence you needed. However, you would have fewer options if you were to choose an abstract concept like "loyalty" or "faith." When evaluating, it is usually best to steer clear of abstractions like these as much as possible.
Once you have chosen a topic, you might begin your evaluation by thinking about what you already know about the topic. In doing this, you will be coming up with possible judgments to include in your evaluation. Begin with a tentative overall judgment or claim. Then decide what supporting judgments you might make to back that claim. Keep in mind that your judgments will likely change as you collect evidence for your evaluation.
Start by making an overall judgment on the topic in question, based on what you already know. For instance, if you were writing an evaluation of sustainable management practices in forestry, your tentative overall judgment might be: "Sustainable management is a viable way of dealing with deforestation in old growth forests."
With a tentative overall judgment in mind, you can begin to brainstorm judgments (or reasons) that could support your overall judgment by asking the question, "Why?" For example, asking "Why?" of the tentative overall judgment "Sustainable management is a viable way of dealing with deforestation in old growth forests" might yield the following supporting judgments:
When brainstorming possible judgments this early in the writing process, it is necessary to keep an open mind as you enter into the stage in which you collect evidence. Once you have done observations, analysis, or research, you might find that you are unable to advance your tentative overall judgment. Or you might find that some of the supporting judgments you came up with are not true or are not supportable. Your findings might also point you toward other judgments you can make in addition to the ones you are already making.
To prepare to organize and write your evaluation, it is important to clearly define the criteria you are using to make your judgments. These criteria govern the direction of the evaluation and provide structure and justification for the judgments you make.
We often work backwards from the judgments we make, discovering what criteria we are using on the basis of what our judgments look like. For instance, our tentative judgments about sustainable management practices are as follows:
If we were to analyze these judgments, asking ourselves why we made them, we would see that we used the following criteria: wellbeing of the logging industry, conservation of resources, wellbeing of the environment, and cost.
Once you have identified the criteria informing your initial judgments, you will want to determine what other criteria should be included in your evaluation. For example, in addition to the criteria you've already come up with (wellbeing of the logging industry, conservation of resources, wellbeing of the environment, and cost), you might include the criterion of preservation of the old growth forests.
In deciding which criteria are most important to include in your evaluation, it is necessary to consider the criteria your audience is likely to find important. Let's say we are directing our evaluation of sustainable management methods toward an audience of loggers. If we look at our list of criteria--wellbeing of the logging industry, conservation of resources, wellbeing of the environment, cost, and preservation of the old growth forests--we might decide that wellbeing of the logging industry and cost are the criteria most important to loggers. At this point, we would also want to identify additional criteria the audience might expect us to address: perhaps feasibility, labor requirements, and efficiency.
Once you have developed a long list of possible criteria for judging your subject (in this case, sustainable management methods), you will need to narrow the list, since it is impractical and ineffective to use of all possible criteria in your essay. To decide which criteria to address, determine which are least dispensable, both to you and to your audience. Your own criteria were: wellbeing of the logging industry, conservation of resources, wellbeing of the environment, cost, and preservation of the old growth forests. Those you anticipated for your audience were: feasibility, labor requirements, and efficiency. In the written evaluation, you might choose to address those criteria most important to your audience, with a couple of your own included. For example, your list of indispensable criteria might look like this: wellbeing of the logging industry, cost, labor requirements, efficiency, conservation of resources, and preservation of the old growth forests.
Stephen Reid, English Professor Warrants (to use a term from argumentation) come on the scene when we ask why a given criterion should be used or should be acceptable in evaluating the particular text, product, or performance in question. When we ask WHY a particular criterion should be important (let's say, strong performance in an automobile engine, quickly moving plot in a murder mystery, outgoing personality in a teacher), we are getting at the assumptions (i.e., the warrant) behind why the data is relevant to the claim of value we are about to make. Strong performance in an automobile engine might be a positive criterion in an urban, industrialized environment, where traveling at highway speeds on American interstates is important. But we might disagree about whether strong performance (accompanied by lower mileage) might be important in a rural European environment where gas costs are several dollars a litre. Similarly, an outgoing personality for a teacher might be an important standard of judgment or criterion in a teacher-centered classroom, but we could imagine another kind of decentered class where interpersonal skills are more important than teacher personality. By QUESTIONING the validity and appropriateness of a given criterion in a particular situation, we are probing for the ASSUMPTIONS or WARRANTS we are making in using that criterion in that particular situation. Thus, criteria are important, but it is often equally important for writers to discuss the assumptions that they are making in choosing the major criteria in their evaluations.
Once you have established the central criteria you will use in our evaluation, you will investigate your subject in terms of these criteria. In order to investigate the subject of sustainable management methods, you would more than likely have to research whether these methods stand up to the criteria you have established: wellbeing of the logging industry, cost, labor requirements, time efficiency, conservation of resources, and preservation of the old growth forests. However, library research is only one of the techniques evaluators use. Depending on the type of evaluation being made, the evaluator might use such methods as observation, field research, and analysis.
The best place to start looking for evidence is with the knowledge you already possess. To do this, you might try brainstorming, clustering, or freewriting ideas.
When you are evaluating policies, issues, or products, you will usually need to conduct library research to find the evidence your evaluation requires. It is always a good idea to check journals, databases, and bibliographies relevant to your subject when you begin research. It is also helpful to speak with a reference librarian about how to get started.
When you are asked to evaluate a performance, event, place, object, or person, one of the best methods available is simple observation. What makes observation not so simple is the need to focus on criteria you have developed ahead of time. If, for instance, you are reviewing a student production of Hamlet , you will want to review your list of criteria (perhaps quality of acting, costumes, faithfulness to the text, set design, lighting, and length of time before intermission) before attending the play. During or after the play, you will want to take as many notes as possible, keeping these criteria in mind.
To expand your evaluation beyond your personal perspective or the perspective of your sources, you might conduct your own field research . Typical field research techniques include interviewing, taking a survey, administering a questionnaire, and conducting an experiment. These methods can help you support your judgment and can sometimes help you determine whether or not your judgment is valid.
When you are asked to evaluate a text, analysis is often the technique you will use in collecting evidence. If you are analyzing an argument, you might use the Toulmin Method. Other texts might not require such a structured analysis but might be better addressed by more general critical reading strategies.
After developing a list of indispensable criteria, you will need to "test" the subject according to these criteria. At this point, it will probably be necessary to collect evidence (through research, analysis, or observation) to determine, for example, whether sustainable management methods would hold up to the criteria you have established: wellbeing of the logging industry, cost, labor requirements, efficiency, conservation of resources, and preservation of the old growth forests. One way of recording the results of this "test" is by putting your notes in a three-column log.
One of the best ways to organize your information in preparation for writing is to construct an informal outline of sorts. Outlines might be arranged according to criteria, comparison and contrast, chronological order, or causal analysis. They also might follow what Robert K. Miller and Suzanne S. Webb refer to in their book, Motives for Writing (2nd ed.) as "the pattern of classical oration for evaluations" (286). In addition to deciding on a general structure for your evaluation, it will be necessary to determine the most appropriate placement for your overall claim or judgment.
Writers can state their final position at the beginning or the end of an essay. The same is true of the overall claim or judgment in a written evaluation.
When you place your overall claim or judgment at the end of your written evaluation, you are able to build up to it and to demonstrate how your evaluative argument (evidence, explanation of criteria, etc.) has led to that judgment.
Writers of academic evaluations normally don't need to keep readers in suspense about their judgments. By stating the overall claim or judgment early in the paper, writers help readers both to see the structure of the essay and to accept the evidence as convincing proof of the judgment. (Writers of evaluations should remember, of course, that there is no rule against stating the overall claim or judgment at both the beginning and the end of the essay.)
The following is an example from Stephen Reid's The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers (4th ed.), showing how a writer might arrange an evaluation according to criteria:
Introductory paragraphs: information about the restaurant (location, hours, prices), general description of Chinese restaurants today, and overall claim : The Hunan Dynasty is reliable, a good value, and versatile.
Criterion # 1/Judgment: Good restaurants should have an attractive setting and atmosphere/Hunan Dynasty is attractive.
Criterion # 2/Judgment: Good restaurants should give strong priority to service/ Hunan Dynasty has, despite an occasional glitch, expert service.
Criterion # 3/Judgment: Restaurants that serve modestly priced food should have quality main dishes/ Main dishes at Hunan Dynasty are generally good but not often memorable. (Note: The most important criterion--the quality of the main dishes--is saved for last.)
Concluding paragraphs: Hunan Dynasty is a top-flight neighborhood restaurant (338).
Sometimes comparison and contrast is not merely a strategy used in part [italics] of an evaluation, but is the strategy governing the organization of the entire essay. The following are examples from Stephen Reid's The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers (4th ed.), showing two ways that a writer might organize an evaluation according to comparison and contrast.
Introductory paragraph(s)
Thesis [or overall claim/judgment]: Although several friends recommended the Yakitori, we preferred the Unicorn for its more authentic atmosphere, courteous service, and well-prepared food. [Notice that the criteria are stated in this thesis.]
Authentic atmosphere: Yakitori vs. Unicorn
Courteous service: Yakitori vs. Unicorn
Well-prepared food: Yakitori vs. Unicorn
Concluding paragraph(s) (Reid 339)
The Yakitori : atmosphere, service, and food
The Unicorn : atmosphere, service, and food as compared to the Yakitori
Concluding paragraph(s) (Reid 339).
Writers often follow chronological order when evaluating or reviewing events or performances. This method of organization allows the writer to evaluate portions of the event or performance in the order in which it happens.
When using analysis to evaluate places, objects, events, or policies, writers often focus on causes or effects. The following is an example from Stephen Reid's The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers (4th ed.), showing how one writer organizes an evaluation of a Goya painting by discussing its effects on the viewer.
Criterion #1/Judgment: The iconography, or use of symbols, contributes to the powerful effect of this picture on the viewer.
Evidence : The church as a symbol of hopefulness contrasts with the cruelty of the execution. The spire on the church emphasizes for the viewer how powerless the Church is to save the victims.
Criterion #2/Judgment: The use of light contributes to the powerful effect of the picture on the viewer.
Evidence : The light casts an intense glow on the scene, and its glaring, lurid, and artificial qualities create the same effect on the viewer that modern art sometimes does.
Criterion #3/Judgment: The composition or use of formal devices contributes to the powerful effect of the picture on the viewer.
Evidence : The diagonal lines scissors the picture into spaces that give the viewer a claustrophobic feeling. The corpse is foreshortened, so that it looks as though the dead man is bidding the viewer welcome (Reid 340).
Robert K. Miller and Suzanne S. Webb, in their book, Motives for Writing (2nd ed.) discuss what they call "the pattern of classical oration for evaluations," which incorporates opposing evaluations as well as supporting reasons and judgments. This pattern is as follows:
Present your subject. (This discussion includes any background information, description, acknowledgement of weaknesses, and so forth.)
State your criteria. (If your criteria are controversial, be sure to justify them.)
Make your judgment. (State it as clearly and emphatically as possible.)
Give your reasons. (Be sure to present good evidence for each reason.)
Refute opposing evaluations. (Let your reader know you have given thoughtful consideration to opposing views, since such views exist.)
State your conclusion. (You may restate or summarize your judgment.) (Miller and Webb 286-7)
The following is a portion of an outline for an evaluation, organized by way of supporting judgments or reasons. Notice that this pattern would need to be repeated (using criteria other than the fieriness of the green chile) in order to constitute a complete evaluation proving that "Although La Cocina is not without its faults, it is the best Mexican restaurant in town."
Intro Paragraph Leading to Overall Judgment: "Although La Cocina is not without its faults, it is the best Mexican restaurant in town."
Supporting Judgment: "La Cocina's green chile is superb."
Criterion used to make this judgment: "Good green chile is so fiery that you can barely eat it."
Evidence in support of this judgment: "I drank an entire pitcher of water on my own during the course of the meal" or "Though my friend wouldn't admit that the chile was challenging for him, I saw beads of sweat form on his brow."
Supporting Judgment made by way of Comparison and Contrast: "La Cocina's chile is even more fiery and flavorful than Manuel's, which is by no means a walk in the park itself."
Evidence in support of this judgment: "Manuel's chile relies heavily on a tomato base, giving it an Italian flavor. La Cocina follows a more traditional recipe which uses little tomato, and instead flavors the chile with shredded pork, a dash of vinegar, and a bit of red chile to give it a piquant taste."
If you have an outline to follow, writing a draft of a written evaluation is simple. Stephen Reid, in his Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers , recommends that writers maintain focus on both the audience they are addressing and the central criteria they want to include. Such a focus will help writers remember what their audience expects and values and what is most important in constructing an effective and persuasive evaluation.
In his Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers , 4th ed., Stephen Reid offers some helpful tips for revising written evaluations. These guidelines are reproduced here and grouped as follows:
Criteria are standards of value . They contain categories and judgments, as in "good fuel economy," "good reliability," or "powerful use of light and shade in painting." Some categories, such as "price," have clearly implied judgments ("low price"), but make sure that your criteria refer implicitly or explicitly to a standard of value.
Examine your criteria from your audience's point of view. Which criteria are most important in evaluating your subject? Will your readers agree that the criteria you select are indeed the most important ones? Will changing the order in which you present your criteria make your evaluation more convincing? (Reid 342)
Include both positive and negative evaluations of your subject. If all of your judgments are positive, your evaluation will sound like an advertisement. If all of your judgments are negative, your readers may think you are too critical (Reid 342).
Be sure to include supporting evidence for each criterion. Without any data or support, your evaluation will be just an opinion that will not persuade your reader.
If you need additional evidence to persuade your readers, [go back to the "Collecting" stage of this process] (Reid 343).
Avoid overgeneralizing your claims. If you are evaluating only three software programs, you cannot say that Lotus 1-2-3 is the best business program around. You can say only that it is the best among the group or the best in the particular class that you measured (Reid 343).
Unless your goal is humor or irony, compare subjects that belong in the same class. Comparing a Yugo to a BMW is absurd because they are not similar cars in terms of cost, design, or purpose (Reid 343).
If you are citing other people's data or quoting sources, check to make sure your summaries and data are accurate (Reid 343).
Signal the major divisions in your evaluation to your reader using clear transitions, key words, and paragraph hooks. At the beginning of new paragraphs or sections of your essay, let your reader know where you are going.
Revise sentences for directness and clarity.
Edit your evaluation for correct spelling, appropriate word choice, punctuation, usage, and grammar (343).
Nesbitt, Laurel, Kathy Northcut, & Kate Kiefer. (1997). Academic Evaluations. Writing@CSU . Colorado State University. https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=47
Writing an evaluation essay is an opportunity to express your critical thinking skills and provide an informed judgment on a specific subject or topic. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the concept of evaluation essays , understand what evaluation means within this context, delve into the essential components of an evaluation essay outline, and learn how to write a compelling evaluation essay that meets the necessary requirements.
An evaluation essay is a type of academic writing where the writer assesses and analyzes a particular subject, product, service, or idea. The primary objective is to form a well-founded opinion and provide evidence-based reasoning to support the evaluation. In essence, an evaluation essay seeks to answer the question: “Is this good or bad, effective or ineffective, successful or unsuccessful?”
In the context of an essay, evaluation refers to the process of critically analyzing and assessing the chosen subject matter. It requires the writer to present a balanced judgment based on specific criteria, evidence, and supporting details. The evaluation should be objective, fair, and grounded in solid evidence to make the argument convincing to the reader.
Creating a well-organized evaluation essay is essential for presenting a coherent and persuasive argument. Here is a typical outline structure:
I. Introduction:
II. Criteria for Evaluation:
III. Evaluation Body Paragraphs:
IV. Counterarguments (Optional):
V. Conclusion:
Writing a compelling evaluation essay requires adherence to specific requirements to ensure a well-structured and well-reasoned piece. Consider the following key requirements:
Writing an evaluation essay can be simplified into the following steps:
Avoid these common pitfalls when writing an evaluation essay:
To better understand the elements of an evaluation essay, consider this example:
Here are some thought-provoking evaluation essay topics to spark your creativity:
The information presented in this comprehensive guide is thoroughly researched and collected from reputable sources, including academic journals, writing manuals, and educational websites. All sources have been meticulously evaluated for credibility and relevance to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided.
In conclusion, mastering the art of writing an evaluation essay opens the door to developing critical thinking skills and effectively presenting well-informed judgments. By following the outlined steps and adhering to the essential requirements, aspiring writers can craft compelling and persuasive evaluation essays that resonate with their readers. So, go forth and embrace the power of evaluation essays to convey your insights and opinions with clarity and conviction. Happy writing!
Note: Please ensure that you cite the appropriate sources as per your academic requirements when using information from this guide. The sources mentioned here are used as examples and may not be suitable for direct citation.
Welcome to The Knowledge Nest's complete guide on how to write an evaluation essay. If you're looking to enhance your writing skills and learn the art of evaluating different subjects or objects effectively, you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the essential steps of crafting an evaluation essay, offer valuable tips, and provide examples to support your understanding. So let's dive in!
Before we dive into the specifics, it's crucial to understand the purpose of an evaluation essay. An evaluation essay aims to assess the quality, significance, or value of a particular subject or object. It goes beyond mere description and requires you to provide an informed judgment based on specific criteria and evidence.
When writing an evaluation essay, keep in mind the following key components:
Now that you have a basic understanding of what an evaluation essay entails, let's explore the step-by-step process of crafting an impressive evaluation essay:
The first step in writing an evaluation essay is selecting a subject that you can assess and analyze effectively. Choose a topic that you are familiar with and have enough knowledge or experience to make an informed judgment.
Once you have chosen your subject, it is essential to establish the criteria on which you will evaluate it. Consider the qualities or attributes that are relevant to the subject and define specific criteria accordingly.
Before you can begin evaluating your subject, you need substantial evidence to support your analysis. Conduct thorough research, gather relevant data, and find reliable sources to back up your claims.
A well-structured evaluation essay enhances readability and ensures your points are effectively communicated. Consider the following structure:
Once you have gathered all the necessary information and structured your essay, it's time to start writing. Begin with a strong introduction, develop coherent paragraphs, and ensure your arguments flow logically. After completing your initial draft, revise and edit it for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
Support your evaluation with relevant examples that illustrate specific points or highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the subject. These examples will add depth and credibility to your essay.
Let's explore a couple of examples to solidify your understanding of how to write an evaluation essay:
Subject: "Inception" directed by Christopher Nolan
Begin describing your evaluation here, providing evidence and analysis for each criterion. Remember to support your claims with specific examples from the movie.
Subject: "The Taste Haven"
Start your evaluation by discussing the selected restaurant. Evaluate each criterion individually, citing specific instances and experiences to back up your assessment.
Congratulations! You've now completed The Knowledge Nest's complete guide on how to write an evaluation essay. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can master the art of crafting well-structured and compelling evaluation essays. Remember to choose your subject wisely, establish objective criteria, gather sufficient evidence, and structure your essay effectively. Don't forget to revise and provide examples to support your evaluation. Happy writing!
05 July, 2020
14 minutes read
Author: Elizabeth Brown
Many people prefer to check reviews on the movie or book before watching or reading it. The summary information and honest point of view on the subject matter are usually included in an evaluation essay. You just need to analyze both sides of the chosen criterion through thorough research, analysis of your thesis, and examination of your own values. To write a good evaluation essay, you should forget about your feelings and create an objective overview of the topic. That way, you will reveal the truth about the real worth of the particular subject matter.
So, what is an evaluation essay? The answer to this question you will find out in this post.
An evaluation paper is a kind of essay in which you express your argumentative point of view on various topics. As a form of literary thinking, it is based on much more than just a quick judgment about a person, place, or object. The common standards of evaluation writing, such as clearance, objectivity, and coherence, are to be followed throughout the text. These standards help identify how well a subject meets up or falls short of the ideal. No wonder this kind of essay is widely used for scientific purposes when the comparison of two inventions or technologies is required. In an evaluation essay, all the arguments are delivered objectively, while your personal opinion is stated at the very end as a summary.
On the Internet, you can find lots of reviews with one sentence only: “This essay is fine.” Does it look informative to you? Can you rely on this kind of feedback? Let’s be honest, such a review can hardly provide you with a clear understanding of whether the subject is worth your attention or not. The main feature of an evaluation essay is that it contains details and evidence to support your point of view. Instead of discussing every observation, you just need to underpin your point of view with examples that will make your paper look convincing.
How to start an evaluation essay? What needs to be preconsidered? Every evaluation essay consists of three structural elements – criteria, judgement, and evidence. Let’s get deeper into details.
The criteria that you choose should evaluate a person or subject through the prism of their ideal version. What can their best features be? For instance, you would expect an interesting plot and professional acting from a movie. Once you have specific benchmarks in mind, they can be used to evaluate these points.
The judgement aspect is used to estimate whether or not the benchmarks have been met. For instance, you can start a movie evaluation from judging whether it aligns with the specific benchmark. Does it offer the quality acting you expect? Does it have gaps in the plot? These are only some of the possible options to consider.
Remember that you must develop clues to advocate your judgements. For instance, if you make the judgement that the movie quality does not meet your expectations, you should be ready to provide evidence. Without eligible evidence, your evaluation essay won’t look convincing.
When structuring your evaluation essay, it is crucial to address a different criterion in each paragraph. In that paragraph, you should reflect on each criterion, make the relevant judgements and provide supporting proofs.
With this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to write an evaluation essay. Here are the major steps to be taken:
Review, revise and rewrite. When a draft is completed, you will read over your work and make some changes if needed. You should be ready to rewrite your paper several times to get it just right.
Here, you will find a well-written evaluation essay example that you can use for yourself:
An evaluation essay is widely associated with a review paper. This is a common mistake many students make. Although the two types of paper have some similarities, there are more differences that set them apart. You can take a look at those differences in the table below.
|
|
|
Analysis | The topic is examined thoroughly. | Evaluation of a product or service is provided. |
Depth of analysis | You get engaged in in-depth analysis. | You do not need to conduct profound scientific research. |
Evidence | Adequate supporting evidence aims to increase the quality of the evaluation essay. You should provide only credible and scholarly evidence. | You don’t need academic evidence throughout the appraisal process. |
Opinion | You provide an unbiased view on the subject. | You provide unbiased information by relying on personal consideration that analyzes the subject. |
Benchmarks | You use predefined criteria that evaluate the subject matter. | You express opinions that do not follow particular criteria. |
Scope | You cover a broader scope by evaluating a particular topic and searching for adequate data that can critique the particular subject. | You cover a narrower scope by providing views focused on the particular subject. |
Thesis statement | You provide a central claim as the essay’s thesis . | You do not need a thesis statement. |
Structure | You follow the standard essay structure splitting the paper into sections. | You do not have to follow any specific structure in review writing. |
References | You include the works cited page. | You do not have to include the works cited page. |
Following the quick tips below, you will find it easier to write an effective evaluation argument essay:
Since there are many people and objects you are able to assess, an evaluation essay can be written on a wide range of topics. To evaluate something, you will need to compare it with an example within a subject you have chosen. Some possible evaluation essay topics can be found below:
Note that our company provides academic writing help. You can buy an essay written from scratch by our essay writer .
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The ultimate guide to writing an evaluation essay, carla johnson.
Evaluation essays are a common type of writing assignment in school. They ask students to evaluate and analyze the quality or value of something like a book, movie, product, or service. In this article, we’ll give you the most complete guide to writing an evaluation essay. We’ll talk about everything from an evaluation essay’s purpose and importance to the steps you need to take to write a good one.
An evaluation essay is a type of writing that tries to give an unbiased opinion about a topic based on a set of criteria. It’s not just a summary of the topic; it’s a critical analysis of what’s good and bad about it . The writer should give a fair assessment of the topic by pointing out both its strengths and weaknesses.
The point of an evaluation essay is to give a critical analysis of a topic so that the reader can form a well-informed opinion about it. For this kind of essay , the writer needs to know a lot about the subject, including its background, history, and effects. It is a good activity for students to do because it helps them learn how to think critically , do research, and write well.
Evaluation essays are also important in academic writing because they help students show that they can think critically and explain their ideas clearly. Because of this, evaluation essays are often given in many different classes, such as literature, film studies, business, and marketing. By learning how to write an evaluation essay, students can do better in school and improve their chances of getting jobs in their chosen fields.
An evaluation essay is a type of academic writing that asks students to give a critical analysis of a certain topic based on a set of criteria. The point of writing an evaluation essay is to give the reader an unbiased look at the topic so that they can form an opinion about it.
Lastly, evaluation essays are an important part of academic writing because they help students improve their critical thinking, research, and writing skills, all of which are important for academic success and moving up in a career. In the sections that follow, we’ll talk more about the steps you need to take to write a good evaluation essay.
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right topic is crucial when it comes to writing an effective evaluation essay. A well-chosen topic will not only make the writing process easier but will also ensure that the essay is engaging and relevant to the reader. Here are some tips for selecting an evaluation essay topic:
– Choose a topic that you are interested in: It is essential to choose a topic that you are passionate about and have some knowledge of. This will make the writing process more enjoyable and will also result in a more engaging and informative essay .
– Select a topic that is relevant: Choose a subject that is current and relevant to the reader. This will ensure that your essay is informative and interesting to read.
– Narrow down your topic: It is important to select a topic that is specific and narrow. This will enable you to focus on a particular aspect of the subject and provide a more detailed evaluation.
– Consider both sides of the argument: Choose a topic that allows you to evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses of the subject. This will ensure that your essay is balanced and provides a fair evaluation .
– Use credible sources: Ensure that your topic is backed by credible sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
1. The impact of social media on modern relationships
2. The effectiveness of online learning compared to traditional classroom learning
3. The portrayal of mental health in popular media4. The impact of technology on our daily lives
5. The effectiveness of government policies on climate change
6. The quality of customer service in the hospitality industry
7. The effectiveness of performance-enhancing drugs in sports
8. The portrayal of women in the media
9. The impact of smartphones on communication skills
10. The effectiveness of gun control laws in reducing gun violence
11. The quality of healthcare services in rural areas
12. The impact of video games on children’s behavior
13. The effectiveness of alternative medicine in treating chronic illnesses
14. The portrayal of minorities in the media
15. The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem
16. The effectiveness of online dating in finding a partner
17. The quality of fast food restaurants
18. The impact of globalization on cultural diversity
19. The effectiveness of police body cameras in reducing police brutality
20. The portrayal of mental illness in popular media
21. The impact of artificial intelligence on job opportunities
22. The effectiveness of vaccination programs in preventing diseases
23. The quality of public transportation in urban areas
24. The impact of social media on political campaigns
25. The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for prisoners
26. The portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media
27. The impact of technology on education
28. The effectiveness of animal testing in developing new drugs
29. The quality of public schools in low-income areas
30. The impact of social media onteenagers’ mental health
31. The effectiveness of renewable energy sources in reducing carbon emissions
32. The portrayal of disability in the media
33. The impact of celebrity culture on society
34. The effectiveness of anti-bullying programs in schools
35. The quality of public parks and recreation areas
36. The impact of social media on political polarization
37. The effectiveness of online therapy in treating mental illness
38. The portrayal of aging in the media
39. The impact of automation on job security
40. The effectiveness of recycling programs in reducing waste
41. The quality of public libraries
42. The impact of social media on privacy
43. The effectiveness of parenting classes in improving child behavior
44. The portrayal of mental health in the workplace
45. The impact of technology on the music industry
46. The effectiveness of drug rehabilitation programs
47. The quality of public restrooms
48. The impact of social media on activism
49. The effectiveness of sex education programs in schools
50. The portrayal of race in the media.
A basic structure for an evaluation essay is an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The purpose of the introduction is to give background information about the subject and explain how it will be judged. Based on the criteria set out in the introduction, the body paragraphs should give a detailed analysis of the topic. In the end, the conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and give a final opinion on the subject.
Here is a breakdown of each section of an evaluation essay:
1. Introduction: The introduction should begin with an attention-grabbing hook that draws the reader in and provides some background information on the subject. This should be followed by a clear thesis statement that outlines the criteria that will be used to evaluate the subject.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each of the body paragraphs should look at a different part of the topic and judge it based on the criteria set out in the introduction. Every paragraph should start with a topic sentence that makes it clear what is being evaluated and how. The evaluation should then be backed up with evidence , such as examples, statistics, and quotes from reliable sources.
3. Conclusion: The conclusion should provide a summary of the main points made in the essay and restate the thesis statement . The writer should then provide a final evaluation of the subject based on the evidence presented in the body paragraphs. This evaluation should be balanced and fair, taking into account both the strengths and weaknesses of the subject.
An evaluation essay outline can be helpful in organizing and structuring the essay. Here is an example of an evaluation essay outline:
I. Introduction
– Hook
– Background information
– Thesis statement
II. Body Paragraphs
– Aspect 1
– Criteria
– Evidence
– Aspect 2
– Aspect 3
-Criteria
III. Conclusion
– Summary of main points
– Restate thesis statement
– Final evaluation
Understanding the structure of an evaluation essay and choosing the right topic are both critical to writing an effective evaluation essay. By following the tips provided for selecting a topic and using an evaluation essay outline, you can create a well-organized and engaging essay that provides a fair assessment of the subject.
Writing an effective evaluation essay requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you write a powerful evaluation essay:
1. Developing a thesis statement for an evaluation essay: A strong thesis statement should clearly state the criteria that will be used to evaluate the subject. It should also provide a clear indication of the writer’s stance on the subject, whether it is positive, negative, or neutral.
2. Tips for writing a powerful evaluation essay:
– Use specific criteria: Provide clear and specific criteria for evaluating the subject, and use evidence to support your evaluation.
– Use credible sources: Use credible sources to support your evaluation, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
– Be objective: Provide a balanced evaluation of the subject, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
– Use clear and concise language: Use clear and concise language to make your evaluation easy to understand and engaging to read.
– Use transitions: Use transitions to connect your ideas and ensure that the essay flows smoothly.
3. Common mistakes to avoid when writing an evaluation essay:
– Being too subjective: Avoid being too subjective and provide a balanced evaluation of the subject.
– Failing to provide evidence: Use evidence to support your evaluation, and avoid making unsupported claims.
– Focusing too much on summary: Avoid simply summarizing the subject and focus on providing a critical analysis of its merits and demerits.
– Failing to use credible sources: Use credible sources to support your evaluation andavoid relying solely on personal opinions or unsupported claims.
To help you get a better understanding of how to write an effective evaluation essay, here are 10 inspiring evaluation essay examples from different fields:
1. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy in the United States
2. Evaluation of the impact of the #MeToo movement on workplace culture
3. Evaluation of the nutritional value of plant-based diets compared to meat-based diets
4. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Paris Climate Agreement in reducing global carbon emissions
5. Evaluation of the impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior
6. Evaluation of the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in reducing stress and anxiety
7. Evaluation of the quality of customer service provided by leading airlines
8. Evaluation of the portrayal of mental illness in popular TV shows
9. Evaluation of the effectiveness of online therapy in treating depression and anxiety
10. Evaluation of the impact of video games on children’s cognitive development
Writing an effective evaluation essay involves selecting the right topic, understanding the structure of the essay, and following the tips provided to develop a powerful evaluation essay. By avoiding common mistakes and using credible sources, you can create an engaging and informative evaluation essay that provides a balanced assessment of the subject. The examples provided can also serve as a guide to help you craft a compelling evaluation essay in any field.
1. what is an evaluation essay.
An evaluation essay is a type of academic writing that asks students to evaluate and analyze the quality or value of something like a book, movie, product, or service. The writer should give a fair assessment of the topic by pointing out both its strengths and weaknesses.
An evaluation essay has three parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should give some background information about the topic and explain how it will be judged. Based on the criteria set out in the introduction, the body paragraphs should give a detailed analysis of the topic. In the end, the conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and give a final opinion on the topic .
To pick a topic for an evaluation essay, think about something you are interested in and know a little bit about. It’s also important to choose a topic that is relevant and specific. Think about both sides of the argument and back up your opinion with information from reliable sources.
The main difference between an evaluation essay and a review is that an evaluation essay has a different focus and goal. An evaluation essay tries to give a critical analysis of the subject based on a set of criteria, while a review gives a summary of the subject and often includes personal opinions.
In conclusion, writing an effective evaluation essay is an essential skill for students to master, as it helps to develop critical thinking , research, and writing abilities. To write an effective evaluation essay, it is important to choose the right topic, understand the structure of the essay, and follow the tips provided in this guide. It is also important to avoid common mistakes and use credible sources to support your evaluation.
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Writing an evaluation is difficult for some students. What requirements should the text of an essay meet? How to start an evaluation essay? How to structure it? During preparation, students face difficulties – that’s why they ask questions about writing an evaluation essay, defining a concept, and evaluating it. Readers will receive answers to questions in the article, get acquainted with the requirements for custom essay writing , and learn how to structure of it.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “to evaluate” means “to determine the significance.” An evaluation essay is a type of paper that includes a statement of opinion on a specific issue. This can be done in a variety of ways, and this type differs from other essay types because an evaluation essay requires the author to make a judgment on the topic rather than submitting a fact-based report. It serves to evaluate a concept, giving readers an idea of whether they should do further research on a given topic.
Evaluations must be unbiased and not contain any self-confident statements. Instead, they should only focus on the facts, as this will help make sure to eliminate personal biases that make them unreliable for the target audience.
First of all, you should understand that evaluative arguments center on the issue of quality. You need to answer a few questions. Is the subject good or bad? Is it honest or dishonest? Your evaluative judgments can be about values – what you consider important. Sometimes the author’s values don’t align with those of their readers, so they have to bridge the gap by respecting the opinion of the audience and clarifying points they agree with and disagree with.
A significant first step in writing your essay is to consider the appropriate criteria or standards for evaluating the subject. For example, if you are evaluating a car, you may consider standard criteria such as price, fuel economy, crash rating, etc. But you can also consider warranty, style, color, special options, and so on. Even if not all people base their car choices on secondary criteria, they are still acceptable on standard criteria.
“How to write my essay with a proper structure?” If you ask yourself this question, you’ll be able to answer it by reading this block. The composition of an essay consists of the following mandatory parts:
Important! Each individual component takes 1 paragraph. The exception is the main body. This part should be divided into 2-3 paragraphs.
Usually, students should stick to the following requirements:
Gross violations include: excessive quotations and setting the wrong topic of discussion. If the student has made these mistakes, then the paper will not a get a high grade and won’t acquire high scores in a college GPA calculator .
In order to properly distribute the load, have time to complete the task, and comply with the requirements, it is worth working in the following order:
Important! Before submitting, read the essay from beginning to end. It is worth adding information in a draft if the evaluation is not full.
These are the most common mistakes regarding organization and content:
Note! The more accurate the information given as an argument, the higher the score the essay will receive.
You will be surprised how amazingly the following evaluation essay sample is written. It is precisely such essays that are remembered and attract attention. We at EssayShark.com have decided to present you a sample of an evaluation essay, which will be popular with readers.
When It Is Medically Ethical To End A Life
The end-of-life stage is an unavoidable phase that we will all ultimately face. In the healthcare setting, medical professionals have the responsibility to provide direct patient care for all types of patients, including those that are terminally ill or, in simple terms, are actively dying. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization defines the word end-of-life as the period “when a person has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than 6 months to live, and curative treatments are no longer options” (Huffman and Harmer, 2022). Planning and delivering care to patients with terminal diagnoses requires serious medical and ethical considerations. Most patients undergo palliative care and are entitled to participate in the decision involving advanced derivatives. The primary objective of palliative care is to provide symptom control, improve patient experience, and enhance the understanding of their diagnosis and prognosis (Teoli & Kalish, 2022). Advance derivatives include the authorization of a Do Not Resuscitate order, wherein the attending physician acknowledges the patient’s request to dismiss resuscitation to avoid further suffering.
Patients diagnosed with chronic and terminal diseases, especially those with progressive cases and that are at the end-of-life stage, may suffer from a variety of complications, including physical discomfort, psychosocial distress, and spiritual concerns. As their condition progresses, the need for medical assistance and utilization of health services becomes more frequent. The purpose of end-of-life care for dying patients is to alleviate as much pain and suffering as possible while honoring the patients’ wishes. This concept has led many health care practitioners to face many ethical challenges, wherein they must consider the importance of protecting the patient’s rights and dignity, including all relevant parties involved in the decision-making process. End-of-life care involving premature death is a controversial topic in healthcare that has steered moral dilemmas and debate concerning the role of such medical interventions. Euthanasia is the name given to this procedure, technically described as the “hastening of death of a patient to prevent further sufferings” (Annadurai et al. 2022). It comprises a range of subcategories, from the purposeful injection of deadly medications to the discontinuation or delaying of life-sustaining medical therapies. Passive withholding of life-supporting treatments is generally more accepted worldwide than actively inducing death through medications. Practicing active euthanasia in certain countries may be considered a criminal homicide. It may put the medical professional at risk of imprisonment or the loss of the license to practice.
Theoretically, to legally perform this method, the patient’s voluntary consent, or at least the consent of an immediate family member, must be obtained. Although some medical experts say that indications of suicidal thoughts and insufficient palliative care may contribute to a patient’s desire for euthanasia, physical and psychological elements must be addressed throughout the decision-making phase. For patients seeking euthanasia, take note of their physical conditions that significantly affect the quality of the patient’s life, including unbearable pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, irreversible paralysis, incontinence, and ventilatory dependence. These physical symptoms could be associated with psychological distress, including depression and persistent feelings of burden or shame from being “too dependent.”
Accepting the idea of inducing death medically could lead to misinterpretation and arguments that the healthcare system embraces the concept of giving the patients the entitlement to a dignified death. The purpose of euthanasia is to provide patients relief from distressing symptoms by ending their life prematurely. This method is contrary to the oath and ethical principles of medical practitioners, including those regarding the responsibility to maximize a patient’s quality of life, providing life-sustaining treatments and remedies for chronic illness, which is supposed to give rise to an expectation of a longer life with less suffering.
1. Ahizen R. Suffering, Authenticity, and Physician Assisted Suicide. Springer: Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426309/. 2. Akdeniz, Mehalat et.al. Ethical Considerations at the End-of-life Care. SAGE Journals. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20503121211000918. 3. Annadurai, Kalaivani et.al. Euthansia: Right to Die with Dignity. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311376/. 4. Evenblij, Kirsten et.al. Factors Associated with Requesting and Receiving Euthanasia: A Nationwide Mortality Follow-back Study with a Focus on Patients with Psychiatric Disorders, Dementia, or an Accumulation of Health Problems Related to Old Age. BMC Medicine. Retrieved from https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-019-1276-y. 5.Huffman, Jaime L. and Harmer B. End of Life Care. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls. Treasure Island. Published on 2022 January. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544276/#:~:text=The%20National%20 Hospice%20and%20Palliative,treatments%20are%20no%20longer%20options. 6. Lai, Xioa Bin et.al. The Experience of Caring for Patients at the End-of-life Stage in Non-palliative Care Settings: A Qualitative Study. BMC Palliative Care. Retrieved from https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-018-0372-7. 7. Teoli Dac and Kalish Virginia B. Palliative Care. National Library of Medicine. StatPearl. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537113/.
We’ve created a list of topics for an evaluation argument essay that you’ll like. They will help people to prepare for evaluation essay writing. You will find a topic that will be interesting to write on. Here are good evaluation essay topics:
How do you start an evaluation essay.
Firs of all, you need to choose a topic. Then, develop your thesis. After that, you should consider the criteria used in order to make the correct judgment. Don’t forget to gather supporting evidence to present your point of view.
An evaluation essay consists of three key components: judgment, criteria, and evidence. Present these elements using the four key components of an essay: it begins with an introduction containing a thesis that presents your opinion and focuses your assessment. After that, you need to include the main body with a detailed evaluation of the subject. The final part is the conclusion, where you sum up everything that has been said in your essay. These are the main components. If one of them is absent, your essay won’t get a good grade.
Present the topic in an interesting way. Add the right amount of details: you need to clearly explain what it is and present enough information for readers to agree with your judgment. You should make a clear and authoritative judgment. Also, you should argue your opinion.
In this paragraph, you present judgments about ideas, people, and possible actions. You must make your assessment based on certain criteria that you develop. In an evaluation paragraph, you should state your assessment or recommendation, and then support it with a relation to your criteria.
Evaluation is defined as an appraisal of the worth or value of someone or something. A simple example of evaluation is when a teacher reviews work to grade it.
If you have a problem with writing an evaluation essay, you can always get help on EssayShark.com. Our writers understand how to write this type of essay correctly. While writing, they stick not only to basic rules but to your personal requirements as well. You will deal with your assignment successfully if you get our help!
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Ever read a restaurant review or movie review? These types of reviews are evaluations of businesses, products and/or services. When evaluating, writers should consider the following components:
If an evaluation essay does not have criteria by which you are judging something, an actual judgment on whatever it is you are evaluating and plenty of evidence to support your judgment, then readers of your evaluation will ask, “So what? What was the point of me reading this?” This is not the goal. The above listing of criteria will benefit you by setting up your outline and providing you with direction and organization, which is a higher-order concern when writing.
Evaluation Essay
19 min read
Published on: Mar 24, 2023
Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024
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Writing an evaluation essay can be a daunting task. It's not easy to summarize your thoughts and feelings about a book, movie, or product into a cohesive, well-written paper.
Even if you're a great writer, the thought of writing an evaluation essay can be intimidating. You want to make sure that you say everything you want to say in a clear and concise way.
We've written this detailed guide on how to write an evaluation essay. By following our tips and tricks, you'll be able to write a great paper that will show off your critical thinking skills.
So continue reading to learn what an evaluation essay is and how you can master the art of of writing yourself!
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Looking for evaluation essay meaning? Here is an easy meaning for you.
An evaluation essay is a type of writing which involves providing an opinion on a particular subject. This can be done in different ways and differs from all other types of essays as it requires the writer to pass judgment on their topic rather than give a fact-based report or dissertation.
The most common types of evaluation essays are critical analysis and interpretive essays. In both types, the writer evaluates a particular subject based on their own opinion or perspective and then explains why they feel that way.
The goal of an evaluation essay is to present both sides of an issue objectively and provide readers with enough information so that they can form their own opinions.
Evaluations are meant to be unbiased and should not contain any opinionated statements. They must instead only focus on facts because this will help ensure that they won't come off as personally biased, which would make them unreliable for the intended audience.
Why are evaluative essays assigned to the students?
The purpose of evaluating essays is to determine the quality and effectiveness of a student's writing. Evaluation helps instructors determine if students have achieved mastery level
Additionally, evaluation allows teachers to assess a student's ability to organize and present their thoughts in an effective and meaningful way.
How can you write the best evaluation essay? To do this you must be aware of its characteristics.
There are five characteristics of an evaluative essay:
Before beginning to learn how to write an evaluation essay, it is must to get educated about its elements. So the four elements of evaluation essay are mentioned below along with a brief detailsâ¦
An evaluation essay should start by clearly establishing the subject that is being evaluated. This could be a product, service, person, experience, or even an event. It is also important to explain why you have chosen this particular subject and what purpose it serves.
Consider these questions and make sure to provide clear answers.
The criteria you use in your evaluation will depend on what you are evaluating and for whom you are writing the evaluation. It is best to provide clear and specific criteria that you can use to judge the quality of the item or service being evaluated.
This is usually based on certain factors such as quality, effectiveness, value, and/or suitability. It is important to provide a clear definition of these criteria so that readers are able to follow your analysis.
Now it is the time to judge whether or not the standards have been achieved. Returning to our hotel example, you might start by assessing whether or not the establishment offers excellent accommodations. Is it sufficient? Or does it fall short of your high expectations? You may then move on to the other criteria.
In order to effectively evaluate the subject, it is important to gather evidence in support of your evaluation. The evidence gathered should help to explain why the criteria are relevant and why the subject is being evaluated in a certain way.
If you reach the conclusion that the quality of food does not meet expectations, be ready to provide proof for why this is so.
It's common for each paragraph in an essay to address a different topic. In that paragraph, you should thoroughly explain the criterion, make relevant judgments, and provide supporting evidence.
Some students have a misconception about how to write an evaluation paper. They think that it is the same as writing a review, but in reality, there are many differences between the two types of papers.
Although these two types of papers do have some similarities, there are also a number of differences between them that set them apart.
Below are the key differences between these two.
|
| |
| The topic is thoroughly analyzed and in depth. | The topic is discussed generally and without any depth. |
| For the most part, it is unbiased. | It could be based on the writerâs personal opinion. |
| The writer must use pre-defined criteria. | The writer does not need any set criteria. |
| The essay must have substantial evidence to back the claims. | It is a personal view and does not need any evidence. |
| Citing and referencing the sources are important. | No references are generally required. |
Understanding the evaluation essay format and creating an outline is important.
The essay format is based on the 5-paragraph structure that contains one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph.
Here is how to make an outline of your evaluation essay.
Each paragraph will follow the following structure.
It is important that you add all these things into your essay so that your evaluation presents and explains a complete idea.
This outline will be helpful for you when you write your evaluation essay. Follow it carefully, and you will have your essay done in no time.
If you need more help, check out this outline template.
Evaluation Essay Outline Template
Here are the essential steps to start your evaluation essay.
1. Choose the Essay Topic Idea
When you have to write an evaluation essay, the topic must be something that will give your opinion credibility and allow for a thorough analysis of what it is about.
When choosing topics for critical evaluation essays, one should be familiar with the subject matter. Also, the quality of writing skills necessary when composing evaluative essays about particular subjects.
Therefore, choose a topic that is engaging for both you and your readers.
2. Develop the Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is a crucial element of an evaluative essay and should make it easy to evaluate the paper's arguments.
It must provide clear direction for where your evaluation stands on specific criteria so that you can distinguish between examples with differing levels of quality.
You need to be careful in citing only relevant information while supporting your points.
3. Think about the Criteria for Your Essay
Once you have chosen the topic of your evaluation essay, it is important to consider what criteria will be used to evaluate the subject.
How easy or difficult is it to explain your chosen topic or theme? If it is difficult, then you should divide it into multiple points that would help make this step easier.
Criteria should be objective and relevant. They must also be measurable so that the right kind of evidence can be collected.
4. Research and Gather Supporting Evidence
Your opinion on a topic is not valid unless you have the support of physical or logical evidence.
You need to be able to back up your statements with facts that will allow people who read them to make their own assumptions about what they are reading and come to an independent conclusion.
Research the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen idea or topic and give a clear idea about it to your readers.
Otherwise, there's no point in arguing because nobody can agree if both sides don't provide any information.
Once you have worked through these steps, you can move forward to writing the essay.
Here are the steps to write an evaluation essay.
1. Create an Outline of the Essay
After choosing the topic and researching it, make an outline for your essay. Follow the outline given above and create an outline for your evaluation essay.
Make it detailed and add everything you want to discuss in your essay for a more helpful outline.
2. Write a Strong Introduction
The first paragraph of an essay should be engaging not only to keep your readers engaged. However, also to establish what you're going to tell about and why they need this information. To do so requires a hook that captures their attention, like something important or less known statement, for them to continue reading the rest of it.
3. Add a Thesis Statement
Evaluation essay thesis statement follows the introduction paragraph. It informs readers of what to expect from reading this essay and how it could affect your thinking about a certain matter.
4. Draft the Main Body of the Essay
The main body of an essay is the lengthiest part of the essay. It contains three paragraphs, but you can add more paragraphs if you feel that three paragraphs are not enough.
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that tells the readers about one of the writerâs opinions about the topic.
However, make sure that you stay relevant and strong. If required, use compares and contrast techniques and make the reader agree with your point of view.
Add criteria, judgment, evidence, and opposing point of view for each idea. Make sure that you explain everything properly.
5. Write a Good Conclusion
The end of your evaluation essay is the conclusion part. It should be an opportunity to summarize what you have said or emphasize the most important points. You can also use this space as closure and reflection on everything discussed so far. Donât forget to restate your thesis statement and how you proved it right.
6. Edit, Revise, and Proofread
Once you are done with the writing, proofread and revise it thoroughly. Do not submit anything without proper editing and proofreading.
This final step is important if you do not want to lose your score because you did not add a âtheâ at the beginning of the sentence.
All of these steps are important for writing a good evaluation essay. Follow them carefully and craft a winning essay.
Here is an evaluation essay sample;
âThe Shiningâ is one of the most obscure works by Stanley Kubrick, a horror film that recounts the tale of a family who has moved into a hotel called the Overlook and becomes terrorized by ghosts. The Torrance family's story centers on Jack, Wendy, and Danny throughout the movie. The original book, which Kubrick based the film on, was written by Steven King. The literary basis is quite thrilling and intriguing, and the film may be considered in much the same way. |
Here are some evaluation essay examples for students. These will help you in writing a good evaluation essay.
Evaluation Essay Example
Evaluation Essay on a Movie
Employee Self Evaluation Essay Example
Evaluation Essay Example PDF
Critical Evaluation Essay Example
Source Evaluation Essay Example
Here are some interesting evaluation essay topics that will help you write a good essay in no time.
Understanding the key grading considerations of a grading rubric is essential for evaluation essays.
Here are some important factors that instructors typically consider when grading evaluation essays.
Start |- Read the essay thoroughly |
Here are some helpful and easy-to-follow tips for writing a perfect evaluation essay.
We hope you now understand what an evaluation essay is and how to write a critical evaluation essay.
This is not all! We have also brought a helpful video for you to understand evaluation essay. So donât forget to watch this:
To sum up,
An evaluation essay is different from other essays. It requires you provide opinion on the subject instead of factual information or simply reporting findings.
By reading our helpful guide, we hope that you have gained an understanding of the basics of evaluation essays and how to create them. So get started with your writing!
Although, if you're looking for someone who can help write an evaluative essay, visit out evaluation essay writing service now.
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What is the purpose of an evaluation.
An evaluation is a systematic method that gives insight into the effectiveness of programs, practices, or initiatives. The information gathered can be used to make adjustments for these things to work better and achieve their goals.
Here are the four types of evaluation:
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What is evaluative writing.
Evaluative writing is a type of writing intended to judge something according to a set of criteria. For instance, your health might be evaluated by an insurance company before issuing a policy. The purpose of this evaluation would be to determine your overall health and to check for existing medical conditions. The better your evaluation, the less the insurance company might charge you for coverage.
More commonly, if you plan to spend ten dollars on a movie, you might instead go to Rottentomatoes.com read through what professional movie reviewers and even amateur movie reviewers thought of the film. Rottentomatoes.com makes things simpler by boiling down a review into a score of “freshness”, thus if a film is 97% fresh, nearly everyone enjoyed it. However, we are given reasons for this unless we actually start reading reviews on each film. So, go to Rottentomatoes.com and read a review of a film you have recently watched. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a new film.
Reviews are actually evaluations of films. They use criteria such as the plot complexity, characterization, dialogue, relevance of theme, shot composition, acting, and other elements to determine the overall quality of the film.
Reviewers have long praised Citizen Kane , but is it truly a great film? It was a grand film with enormous sets, a larger-than-life protagonist and strong performances by Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles, and Agnes Moorehead. However, many films possess these qualities. Critics were much more fascinated by the use of light and shadow in many scenes and the unique camera angles created by Gregg Toland, the cinematographer. The camera moves frequently and constantly incorporates contrasts. Welles even used ceilings on his sets to create a much more “boxed-in” sense from the viewer. In some scenes, Toland uses reflected images to provide different perspectives of the characters during particular scenes. In another scene, Welles shows both the passage of time and the dissolution of a marriage by first showing the newlyweds talking and flirting over breakfast as Kane’s wife wears a nightgown and a loose silk robe. This is followed by a succession of mornings until the final scene where the wife wears a high collared blouse, long sleeves, and a scowl as the two trade bitter verbal jabs. In a few short minutes, the audience watches the newlywed’s progress from giddy to openly resentful. It’s these innovations that lead critics to praise the film.
Is it everybody’s favorite film? No. Evaluation and preference are two entirely different measures of quality. Evaluation requires criteria so as to create a more objective “measure” of quality. Preference is about what you like. I like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation because it makes me laugh and because I can watch it with other people and they will laugh, too. Luckily I live in world where I can evaluate an objectively great film and enjoy an objectively bad one. (Though I think I can make an argument that it is objectively a great film.)
The key to effective evaluative writing is starting off with a clear and precise assertion. Your main assertion is what you will use to perform the evaluation. You may want to argue that a Chevy Tahoe is better than a Ford Expedition based on its horsepower, gas mileage, capacity, warranty, etc. Other evaluators might argue the difference between their towing capabilities. Whatever the main argument may be for your evaluative essay, make sure that your argument is clear.
You are the “expert” in an evaluative essay. Support your opinions with facts, not whims.
A big question you might have is: how do I evaluate my subject? That depends on what your subject is.
If you are evaluating a piece of writing, then you are going to need to read the work thoroughly. While you read the work, keep in mind the criteria you are using to evaluate. The evaluative aspects may be: grammar, sentence structure, spelling, content, usage of sources, style, or many other things. Another thing to consider when evaluating a piece of Evaluation writing is whether the writing appeals to its target audience. Is there an emotional appeal? Does the author engage the audience, or is the piece lacking something? If you can, make notes directly on your work itself so that you remember what you want to write about in your essay.
If you are evaluating anything else, use your head. You need to try, use, or test whatever thing you are evaluating. That means you should not evaluate a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette unless you have the $45,000 (or more) to buy one, or the money to rent one. You also need the know-how of driving a car of that power and a base of knowledge of other cars that you have tested to make a fair comparison.
On the note of comparisons, only compare things that are reasonably alike . People don’t care to know how a laugh-out-loud comedy like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation compares to Citizen Kane; that is for a different type of essay. Compare comedies to other comedies and dramas to other dramas. That is what people are looking for when reading comparisons in an evaluation essay. However, keep in mind that comparisons are always useful in illustrating an idea and providing context. They give shape and clarity to often complex ideas presented in evaluations.
Whatever you are evaluating, make sure to do so thoroughly. Take plenty of notes during the testing phase so that your thoughts stay fresh in your mind. You do not want to forget about a part of the subject that you did not test.
Introduction.
In the introduction of your evaluative essay, you should clearly state the following: – what you are evaluating (the subject – like Citizen Kane or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ) – the purpose of your evaluation – what criteria you are evaluating your subject on (plot, characterization, cinematography etc.) For example, you should not just write that you are judging the acting in the film. You should explain that you are judging the individual performances of actor, the plot of the screenplay, and cinematography. Give the reader background on the subject including the “who, what, when, where, and why” elements of the subject.
Be sure to be very descriptive and thorough when evaluating your subject. The more you leave out of the essay, the more unanswered questions your readers are left with. Your goal should be to cover all aspects of the subject and to tell the audience how good or bad it is. Consider, for example, not only what quality the subject possesses, but what is missing. Good evaluations measure the quality or value of a subject by considering what it has and what it lacks.
Check out: Useful Phrases for Use in Evaluative Writing
The conclusion for an evaluative essay is pretty straightforward. Simply go over the main points from the body of your essay. After that, make an overall evaluation of the subject. Tell the audience if they should buy it, eat it, use it, wear it, etc. and why. After that is done, your essay is finished.
The conclusion of a review is also an opportunity for some flourish. Think about how you can sum up the best or worst of the experience to send your audience marching toward or away from the subject of your evaluation. Good job!
Evaluation Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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“Analysis/Evaluation” provided by the authors
“Reflective Writing Prompt: Analysis and Evaluation Assignment” by the authors
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Evaluative writing is a specific genre that analyzes a subject in order to make and support a “judgment call,” a judgment that is based on specific, clear criteria. That judgment – which is your reasoned opinion – becomes the heart of the essay’s thesis, clearly stating whether the subject is successful or not based on how it meets established criteria.
You might engage in this type of writing in order to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of one item or as a way of comparing two or more similar items in order to make a decision: which is more effective, which does a better job? To fully answer those questions requires practicing close reading to understand the text’s rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, genre) using analysis to select criteria (or standards) to form a judgment (evaluation). That judgment must be supported by specific details drawn from the subjects, and thoroughly explained to justify your conclusion.
Important Concepts
evaluative writing
rhetorical situation
Reflective Writing Prompt
ANALYSIS Reflection Assignment
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Composing Ourselves and Our World, Provided by: the authors. License: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Stuck on a B, chasing that A+? We've all been there.
I have two degrees in Creative Writing from the University of Warwick with First Class Honors. From 2013 to 2014, I also studied English Literature at the National University of Singapore.
Translation: I’ve written a lot of academic essays.
Some good. Some inspired. And others, plain lousy.
After a few Bs and the occasional C, I cracked the code on writing good essays. An average academic essay answers a question; but an essay that gets an A+ solves a problem — whether through discussion, analysis, definition, comparison, or evaluation.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to write better essays. You’ll learn how to construct bullet-proof arguments with five unique thinking techniques, cut the fluff, and discover F.O.C.U.S. to improve your essay writing skills.
Because essays don’t have to be boring. And writing them doesn’t have to either.
What is “good” writing? The answer is subjective. For example, I loved reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, but to some, it might be drivel.
Nonetheless, many examples of good writing share some core qualities.
There are five overarching qualities of good essay writing : flow, organization, clarity, unity, and specificity.
F low: Does the writing flow smoothly from one point to the next?
O rganization: Have you structured your essay with a clear beginning, middle, and end?
C larity: Is the writing clear, error-free, and unambiguous?
U nity: Are all the elements of your writing supporting the central thesis?
S pecificity: Have you provided specific details, examples, and evidence to justify your main points?
A Fellow at The European Graduate School, and my most cherished mentor, Dr. Jeremy Fernando , has perhaps read, written, and graded thousands of academic essays over the years.
His advice?
“You’re asking the reader to go on an explorative journey with you; the least you should do is ensure the trip you’re taking them on is the same as the advertised one.”
The thing is, good essay writing doesn’t start at — or even as — writing .
There’s reading, re-reading, pre-writing, revising, then actually writing, editing, and then writing some more.
As with most persuasive arguments , you need frameworks: points of reference, mental models, and structured approaches to guide your decision making.
That's exactly what we have here.
A reverse outline is just what it sounds like: a process that distills a paper down to its bare essentials, leaving only the key points and topic sentences. The result? A clear, bullet-point blueprint of the paper's structure, whether it's your own work or someone else's.
✅Creates an X-ray of a paper's structure to identify its central arguments and assess its logical flow.
✅Helps you actively engage with someone else’s work to deepen your understanding of the material.
✅Reveals structural issues in your own essay, such as missing or misplaced points, redundancies, or weak arguments.
This is a two-step, and perhaps infinitely repeatable process.
Take a blank page and draw a line straight down the middle.
In this structured brainstorming exercise, you plant your main problem in the center box of a 3x3 grid. Then, you’ll fill the surrounding boxes with related themes to expand your thinking. The method was developed by Yasuo Matsumura at Clover Management Research in Japan.
✅ A fun, novel alternative to traditional mind-mapping and spider-diagramming.
✅Helps you visualize your essay slowly unfolding from its core. (Like a lotus, basically.)
✅I like how it's creative and thorough at the same time. An equal combination of freedom and structure.
When all your boxes are filled in, you'll have 64 ideas for one essay argument. As far as starting-off points go, this one’s hard to beat.
Pro Tip : Did you know that dim light is a creative stimulant? Go dark. Light some candles.
According to philosopher Stephen E. Toulmin, arguments are broken down into six key components: claim, grounds, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and backing.
There are three essential parts to every argument: the claim, the grounds, and the warrant.
✅Craft persuasive arguments through an in-depth analysis that closely examines each part of your essay.
✅Analyzing an argument from its components can help clarify its logic.
✅The rebuttal component encourages you to anticipate and address counterarguments. The more perspectives you consider, the more well-rounded your argument will be.
Let’s take a published paper — “ Coffee and Health: A Review of Recent Human Research ” by Jane V. Higdon and Balz Frei — and break it down using the Toulmin model.
Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >
I don’t know about you, but I often get convinced of my own arguments when writing essays, and then it’s hard for me to consider other perspectives.
So, if you want a sparring buddy, here’s how Wordtune can help you with counterarguments:
First, I’ve copy-pasted our claim from above 👇🏼
Next, click on the little purple sparkle icon and choose “Counterargument” from the drop-down menu.
Lo and behold! Not only does Wordtune provide accurate contextual suggestions for a convincing opposing opinion, it goes one step further and cites a clickable source for the research .
Nothing short of time-saving magic , if you ask me.
You need to ask “why” five times to get to the root of any problem. That’s what the inventor of the method, and founder of Toyota Industries, Sakichi Toyoda, believed.
✅The approach identifies the real problem, not just its surface symptoms.
✅It’s an easy-to-do and straightforward process that gets to the heart of your essay question.
✅Use this approach in combination with the Toulmin Model to build a killer essay argument.
Let’s look at a sample essay question and drill down to its core.
When you have the core of the problem in your palm, you can then start thinking of solutions. Perhaps finding more cost-effective ways to train and support teachers. Or exploring alternative funding options, such as grants and partnerships with local businesses.
Franklin wasn’t always a prodigious scholar. While working at a print shop, he reverse engineered the prose from the British magazine, The Spectator , to learn how to write better without a tutor.
He took detailed notes at a sentence level, contemplated them for some time, and then re-created the sentences without looking at the originals.
In fact, research from MIT shows that it's “not just the study of tiny details that accelerates learning; the act of assembling those details yourself is what makes the difference.” This is called constructionist learning.
✅Improve your essay writing by studying works of skilled authors through practiced imitation.
✅Organizing your notes from memory will help you construct a solid structure for your essay, and evaluate any gaps in logic and flow.
✅Actively deconstructing and constructing the material allows you to engage deeply with it, and therefore, write better essays.
One of my favorite passages in Literature — as clichéd as may it be — is from Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club .
Similarly, start by taking a paragraph from an essay you like. Make sentence-level notes and rewrite its essence without looking at it.
1. write lousy first drafts.
You heard me. Write as if your keyboard doesn’t have keys for punctuation. Write as if no one is ever going to read your essay. The goal is to eliminate self-censorship . When you first start writing down your main points, don’t assume the role of a self-editor.
TRY THIS : Open a blank page, set a timer for two and a half minutes, and type until the bell goes off. Take a break. Repeat. Don’t re-read what you’ve typed.
Forget proper spelling. Forget good grammar. Those polishes are all for later, when you have something to polish.
This is freewriting.
And it’s wildly effective in getting you to stop thinking about deadlines, blinking cursors, and that A+. My highest-scoring essays have all begun with messy, unstructured, poorly-worded first drafts.
Think of your favorite book. What makes you call it your favorite? Or a series you’ve watched recently. ( Behind Her Eyes is especially good.) What compels you to see it all the way through? The same principle applies to good essay writing. Have you read an essay in your research that hooked you? Or a friend’s work you wish you could put your name to?
Read like a writer — become a proactive participant in examining why the writing works. Instead of passively drawing stars next to important observations, ask yourself, “ Why do I like these passages? What are they doing? And how are they doing it?” (Use the Ben Franklin Exercise here.)
Take apart the essay you’re reading like a forensic pathologist doing an autopsy.
Speaking of autopsies, a good essay has good bones. Once you’ve disgorged your ideas on the page, start arranging them under headers.
This blog too, was born in the Notes app on my phone. But if you’re taking the reader with you somewhere, you should know where you’re headed too.
Pro Tip : Keep two working documents for your essay. One where you dump all the links, sources, and keywords. The other is where you work on your final draft for submission.
The deadline’s in a few hours and you’re scrambling to hit minimum word count . Long, winding sentences with gratuitous adjectives you’ve just looked up in the thesaurus to sound more cerebral, erudite, scholarly.
I get it. I’ve done it. And those essays have bellyflopped. Professors know when you’re trying to game them.
Here’s an actual sentence from one of my essays I wrote in 2017:
“Ibsen’s realist drama, and in particular, A Doll’s House , is replete with the problems that chapter and verse modern life – the patriarchal model of the family, money and debt, and the performance of gender.”
And much to my embarrassment, this is the scathing comment from my then-professor:
“This makes no sense.”
Let’s rework this sentence to make sense using Wordtune (a clever AI helper I wish I had during my university days):
“The patriarchal family model, money and debt, and gendered performance are all apparent in Ibsen's realist drama, especially A Doll's House .”
Much more sensible.
I can’t emphasize this enough — don’t submit your first draft! Have someone else read it, perhaps a friend in the same class or even from a different major. Look at their eyebrows to see which sections make them frown in confusion.
Ask them to red-pen sentences and logical gaps. And then —- edit, edit edit!
Sleep on it. Let the essay stew in the back of your mind for a full night, and come back to it with fresh eyes.
The ability to write persuasively will serve you well no matter what stage of your life you are in: high school, university scholar, or a professional trying to get ahead. After all, the human mind is hardwired for storytelling.
Remember, the key is to F.O.C.U.S.
Whether you’re crawling or speeding towards a deadline, bag that A+ with a smart AI assistant like Wordtune !
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Using reviews.
The FTC has brought a number of cases involving online reviews — likely more than any law enforcement agency in the world. Some involved companies that posted fake reviews of their own products and services. Others involved reviews by people who might have been real customers or users of a product but didn’t say that they’d been paid to write a positive review.
When you use online reviews to help you make decisions, consider the source of the information. What do you know about this reviewer? Or about the site or platform where you’re reading the review?
For years, the FTC’s main recommendation when considering reviews has been to look at a variety of sources, including well-known websites that have trustworthy and impartial expert reviews. That’s still a very good place to start. Here are some other steps to take:
You won’t always know if a reviewer got something — like a free product — in exchange for writing a review. But, on some websites, you’ll see a label or badge next to the review that tells you the reviewer got an incentive. How you weigh those reviews is up to you.
By patricia harrison director of admissions, evaluation and yield.
We are excited to share an advance look at the Tuck application essays! The application for the 2024–2025 season will open soon, but we wanted to share the updated essay questions and Important Dates for the Class of 2027 with you now. Be sure to look for our upcoming Admissions Insights blog on the essays for advice and guidance on what we are looking for in each of our essay prompts.
All applicants must respond to the following essay prompts:
All reapplicants must respond to an additional essay prompt:
How have you strengthened your candidacy since you last applied? Please reflect on how you have grown personally and professionally. (300 words)
The following essay prompt is optional:
Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere (e.g., atypical choice of references, factors affecting academic performance, unexplained job gaps or changes). Complete this question only if you feel your candidacy is not fully represented by this application. (300 words)
The MBA application process is an opportunity to reflect on your experiences, your future plans, and your motivations. Just as you learn about us in the coming months, we can't wait to learn about you!
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COMMENTS
An evaluation essay is a type of writing that assesses and critiques a particular subject, such as a movie, book, restaurant, or product. It requires the writer to analyze the subject and provide a judgment based on defined criteria. The purpose of an evaluation essay is to evaluate the subject's quality and effectiveness, and to present a ...
An evaluation essay is a piece of writing that aims to assess the value or quality of a particular subject or phenomenon. It involves analyzing a topic, presenting your judgment or opinion on it, and providing evidence or examples to support your claims. This type of essay requires critical thinking, research, and effective communication skills ...
How to write an Evaluation Essay. There are two secrets to writing a strong evaluation essay. The first is to aim for objective analysis before forming an opinion. The second is to use an evaluation criteria. Aim to Appear Objective before giving an Evaluation Argument. Your evaluation will eventually need an argument.
Learn how to write an evaluation essay that offers a value judgment or an opinion of something. Find out the purpose, structure, criteria, evidence, and format of an evaluation essay with examples and topics.
An evaluation essay outline covers at least five structured paragraphs. The first is an introductory paragraph followed by three or more body paragraphs, and finally, an essay conclusion . Below is an evaluation paper outline example under the topic of practicing vaping.
A well-organized essay is the key to success. In our article, we will break down the structure of an evaluation essay. Examples for Clarity: Finally, we'll provide examples of successful evaluation essays. These samples will illustrate the principles discussed and offer practical insights into what makes an effective evaluation essay.
Next, the essay needs to provide a judgment about a subject. This is the thesis of the essay, and it states whether the subject is good or bad based on how it meets the stated criteria. Criteria. The body of the essay will contain the criteria used to evaluate the subject. In an evaluation essay, the criteria must be appropriate for evaluating ...
Have a strong opinion—positive or negative—about this topic. Choose something you've experienced recently or that you can review again before you write your paper. Know a lot about this type of experience. Use the following list of categories to brainstorm ideas for what you might want to evaluate. Use this list of categories to brainstorm ...
Learn what an evaluation essay is, how to write one, and what criteria to use. Find out how to organize your essay and provide evidence to support your opinions.
An evaluation is centered on a judgment. You can point out both its weaknesses and strengths. It is important that any judgment be balanced and fair. This is why it's important to select your criteria before starting your evaluation. Seldom is something all good or all bad, and your audience knows this.
This type of essay requires evaluation on two levels. First of all, it demands that we use evaluation in order to determine that there is a legitimate problem. And secondly, it demands that we take more than one policy or solution into consideration to determine which will be the most feasible, viable, or effective one, given that problem. ...
Learn how to write an evaluation essay by judging the quality of a subject based on some ideal criteria. See examples of evaluation essays on loofas, pecan pies, and poems.
An evaluation essay is a type of academic writing where the writer assesses and analyzes a particular subject, product, service, or idea. The primary objective is to form a well-founded opinion and provide evidence-based reasoning to support the evaluation. In essence, an evaluation essay seeks to answer the question: "Is this good or bad ...
Learn the definition, purpose, goals, and steps of writing an evaluation essay, where you present an opinion and argument on a topic with evidence. Find out how to choose your topic, criteria, format, sources, and audience for your evaluation essay.
Step 4: Structuring Your Essay. A well-structured evaluation essay enhances readability and ensures your points are effectively communicated. Consider the following structure: Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the subject and state your evaluation's purpose and significance. Main Body: Break your evaluation into logical paragraphs, each ...
Learn how to write an evaluation essay by following the criteria, judgement, and evidence structure. Find out the differences between evaluation and review essays and get 50 topics to choose from.
An evaluation essay offers an opinion or a review of something. Evaluative writing has three key elements: judgment, criteria, and evidence. The judgment is the writer's opinion on the topic.
1. Developing a thesis statement for an evaluation essay: A strong thesis statement should clearly state the criteria that will be used to evaluate the subject. It should also provide a clear indication of the writer's stance on the subject, whether it is positive, negative, or neutral. 2. Tips for writing a powerful evaluation essay:
An evaluation essay is a type of paper that includes a statement of opinion on a specific issue. This can be done in a variety of ways, and this type differs from other essay types because an evaluation essay requires the author to make a judgment on the topic rather than submitting a fact-based report. It serves to evaluate a concept, giving ...
If an evaluation essay does not have criteria by which you are judging something, an actual judgment on whatever it is you are evaluating and plenty of evidence to support your judgment, then readers of your evaluation will ask, "So what? What was the point of me reading this?". This is not the goal.
Evaluation essay thesis statement follows the introduction paragraph. It informs readers of what to expect from reading this essay and how it could affect your thinking about a certain matter. 4. Draft the Main Body of the Essay. The main body of an essay is the lengthiest part of the essay. It contains three paragraphs, but you can add more ...
In the introduction of your evaluative essay, you should clearly state the following: - what you are evaluating (the subject - like Citizen Kane or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) - the purpose of your evaluation - what criteria you are evaluating your subject on (plot, characterization, cinematography etc.) For example, you ...
Analysis/Evaluation provided by the authors. Evaluative writing is a specific genre that analyzes a subject in order to make and support a "judgment call," a judgment that is based on specific, clear criteria. That judgment - which is your reasoned opinion - becomes the heart of the essay's thesis, clearly stating whether the subject is successful or not based on how it meets ...
EVALUATION ESSAYS . The purpose of an evaluation essay is to present an opinion or viewpoint on a subject or body of work. It should firstly provide a summary of the article in question, then using a thorough, well structured argument the writer presents a point-of-view supported with examples and evidence. By nature this essay bears many ...
After a few Bs and the occasional C, I cracked the code on writing good essays. An average academic essay answers a question; but an essay that gets an A+ solves a problem — whether through discussion, analysis, definition, comparison, or evaluation. In this blog post, I'll walk you through how to write better essays.
A critical analysis essay requires you to analyze a subject and determine its meaning, backing it with evidence and ideas of your own. We've got examples to help you write one. ... an evaluation of the author's success in achieving their intended goal; a larger idea or argument within the text that you can elaborate on;
Online reviews might help you decide what to buy or what company to hire. You should be able to trust that these reviews reflect the honest opinions of people who actually used a product or service. Unfortunately, some reviews are fake, deceptive, or manipulated — and that hurts both people and honest companies.
We are excited to share an advance look at the Tuck application essays! The application for the 2024-2025 season will open soon, but we wanted to share the updated essay questions and Important Dates for the Class of 2027 with you now. Be sure to look for our upcoming Admissions Insights blog on the essays for advice and guidance on what we are looking for in each of our essay prompts.