This document provides guidance on how to write an evaluation essay. It defines an evaluation as a judgment supported by criteria and evidence that persuades others to accept a viewpoint. It recommends choosing a topic to evaluate, considering the purpose and audience, and generating ideas. Key features of an evaluation include a concise description, clearly defined criteria, a balanced assessment, and well-supported reasons. The document outlines genres like analysis by criteria and comparison/contrast. It provides guidelines for developing an introduction, conclusions, citing sources, and revising.

1. Evaluation
ENG 111, College Composition I

2. Evaluation
• A value judgment about a person, place,
event, thing
• Supported by clear standards and
specific evidence
• Persuades others to accept your
judgment
• Standards = criteria for the evaluation
• Evidence = description, statistics,
testimony, examples, personal
experience

3. Techniques for Evaluating
• Assess the rhetorical situation.
• State an overall claim about the
subject.
• Give basic information—who, what,
when, where, why.
• Clarify the criteria.
• State a judgment for each criteria,
both positive and negative.
• Support each judgment with
evidence.

4. Key Features of
Evaluation
• A concise description of the subject.
• Clearly defined criteria.
• A knowledgeable discussion of the
subject.
• A balanced and fair assessment.
• Well-supported reasons.

5. Types of Evaluations
• Evaluating Commercial Products or
Services Toyota Prius – Shakespeare
Ugly Stick – Verizon Wireless
• Evaluating Works of Art- The Flower
Carrier by Diego Rivera
•
Evaluating Performances – The Lord
of the Rings trilogy• Compare and
Contrast two topics – Toyota Prius vs.
Honda Civic Hybrid

6. Guidelines for Writing an
Evaluation
• Choose something to evaluate.
• Consider the rhetorical situation. –
Purpose – Audience – Stance – Media/
Design

7. Guidelines Continued
• Generate ideas and text.
• – Explore what you already know.
• – Find at least three sources that evaluate your
topic (See External Links).
• – Identify criteria.
• – Use evidence, such as description, statistics,
expert opinion, testimony, examples, and personal
experience to evaluate the criteria.
• – Make judgments about the criteria and about
the topic overall.
• – Anticipate other opinions.
• – Identify and support your reasons.

8. Shaping Your Evaluation
• Pick a genre:
– Analysis by Criteria
Introduction
Criterion #1/Judgment + Evidence
Criterion #2/Judgment +Evidence
Criterion #3/Judgment + Evidence
Conclusion

9. Shaping Your Evaluation
• Pick a genre:
– Block Comparison and Contrast
Introduction
Topic #1
Criteria and Judgments + Evidence
Topic #2
Criteria and Judgments + Evidence
Conclusion

10. Shaping Your Evaluation
• Pick a genre:
– Alternating Comparison and Contrast
Introduction
Criterion #1/Judgment + Evidence
Topic #1
Topic #2
Criterion #2/Judgment + Evidence
Topic #1
Topic #2
Conclusion

11. Shaping Your Evaluation
• Pick a genre:
– Causal Analysis
Introduction
Criterion #1/Judgment
Effect + Evidence
Criterion #2/Judgment
Effect + Evidence
Conclusion

12. Shaping the Evaluation
• Catchy Title
• Introduction—provides background
information, description, overall claim
or thesis.
• Conclusion—reviews the strengths
and weaknesses of the topic, makes
the overall claim, or advises the
reader.

13. Citing Sources
• Mention sources in the text.
• List sources at the end under
References.
• Follow the APA format on the APA
tutorial or in the text.
• NOTE: At least three outside
sources are required.

14. Example of References
References
Meer, J. (1987, July). Date rape: Familiar
strangers. Psychology Today . Retrieved
from www.phychologytoday/daterape/
meer. (Use double-spacing and hanging
indent)

15. Example of Internal
Citation
“This is a direct quote” (Meer, 1987, p.32).
This is a paraphrase (Meer, 1987).
(Use the author’s last name or the shortened
version of the title; use a comma and p. for
one page, pp. for more than one. The end
punctuation goes after the citation.)

16. Revising
• Before posting your paper:
– Gain some distance and objectivity.
– Look at the Guidelines for Revision.
• Post the paper in Writing Partner’s
Group.
• After completing the group forum:
– Read the suggestions from other group
members.
– Make the necessary changes.
– Send the second draft to the instructor.