Evaluative arguments center around the question of quality. Is something good? Bad? Honest? Dishonest? Evaluative judgments are also about values—what the writer thinks is important. Sometimes the writer’s values are not the same as his/her readers’ values, so he/she has to bridge the gap by showing respect for the audience’s opinions and clarifying the points that they do and don’t agree upon.
An important first step in writing an evaluation is to consider the appropriate standards/criteria for evaluating the subject.If a writer is evaluating a car, for example, the writer might consider standard criteria like fuel economy, price, crash ratings.But the writer also might consider style, warranty, color, special options, like sound systems.Even though all people might not base their choice of a car on these secondary criteria, they are still considered acceptable or standard criteria.
To be taken seriously, a writer must have valid reasons for his evaluation.These reasons are based on criteria.Imagine choosing your attire for a job interview at a very prestigious law firm.You look at the jeans and t-shirts in your closet and immediately decide to go shopping.Why?Because the clothes in your closet don’t meet the criteria for the interview.
The Purpose of Evaluative Writing
Writers evaluate arguments in order to present an informed and well-reasoned judgment about a subject. While the evaluation will be based on their opinion, it should not seem opinionated. Instead, it should aim to be reasonable and unbiased. This is achieved through developing a solid judgment, selecting appropriate criteria to evaluate the subject, and providing clear evidence to support the criteria.
Evaluation is a type of writing that has many real-world applications. Anything can be evaluated. For example, evaluations of movies, restaurants, books, and technology ourselves are all real-world evaluations.
by Dr. Karen Palmer
1.Presenting the subject.
Presenting the subject is an often misunderstood aspect of an evaluative essay.Either writers give too little information or too much.Presenting the subject occurs in two different places in the essay.
First, the writer should give a brief introduction of the subject in the introduction of the evaluation. This introduction occurs in the second part of the introduction–the intro to the topic.At this point, the writer should simply name the subject and give a very brief description.For example, a restaurant review should include at a minimum the name and location of the restaurant.An evaluation of a vehicle might include the make, model, and year of the vehicle and any important features.
Second, the writer should give a more detailed description of the subject following the introduction in the background section of the paper. Here the writer could give a more detailed overview of the restaurant (the type of decor, type of food, owners, history), describe the vehicle in detail, etc. Striking a balance between giving the reader the necessary information to understand the evaluation and telling readers everything is important. The amount of detail necessary depends on the topic. If you are reviewing a brand new technology or a machine, specific to your line of work, for example, you will need to give readers more information than if you are simply reviewing a restaurant or a doctor’s office.
The language used in your description can be evaluative.For example, a writer can use descriptive adjectives and adverbs to convey a certain impression of the subject, even before the claim is made.
2.Asserting an overall judgment.
The main point/thesis should be located at the end of the paper’s introduction.It should be definitive—certain, clear, and decisive.Asking a question does not pose a definitive claim.Giving several different perspectives also does not give a definitive claim.It is ok to balance your claim, though, acknowledging weaknesses (or strengths) even as you evaluate a subject positively:“While the Suburban is a gas guzzler, it is the perfect car for a large family….”
Providing a map of your reasons/criteria within the thesis is a great technique for creating organization and focus for your essay. For example, “While the Suburban is a gas guzzler, it is the perfect car for a large family because it can seat up to 9, it has a high safety rating, and it has the best in class towing capacity.” Not only does this example give a clear, balanced claim, but it also lays out the writer’s reasons upfront, creating a map in the reader’s mind that will help him follow the reasoning in the essay.
3.Giving Reasons and Support
After presenting the subject and providing readers with a clear claim, the writer must explain and justify his/her evaluation using reasons that are recognized by readers as appropriate. This occurs in the argument section of the paper and should be the most extensive part of the paper. Reasons should reflect values or standards typical for the subject. If a writer uses criteria that is not typical for the subject, he/she must be prepared to defend that decision in the essay. For example, “Buying local may not always be at the forefront of a buyer’s mind when shopping for eggs, but…” Each reason should be clearly stated as a topic sentence that both states the reason and refers back to the main claim. Going back to the suburban example, a body paragraph/section might begin with the following topic sentence: “One of the obvious reasons a suburban is great for large families is its capacity for holding that large family and all of their necessary traveling items.”
Following the topic sentence, a writer must include relevant examples, quotes, facts, statistics, or personal anecdotes to support the reason.Depending on what the subject is, the support might be different.To support a claim about a book/film, for example, a writer might include a description of a pivotal scene or quotes from the book/film.In contrast, to support a claim about gas mileage, a writer would probably simply give the information from the vehicle specifications.Support can come from a writer’s own knowledge and experience, or from published sources.
4.Counterarguing:
Counterarguing means responding to readers’ objections and questions.In order to effectively counterargue, a writer must have a clear conception of his/her audience.What does the audience already know or believe about the subject?Effective counterarguing builds credibility in the eyes of the audience because it creates a sense that the writer is listening to the reader’s questions and concerns.
Counterarguments can occur at the end of the essay, after the writer has made his/her point, or throughout the essay as the writer anticipates questions or objections. Writers can respond to readers’ objections in two ways. First, a writer can acknowledge an objection and immediately provide a counter-argument, explaining why the objection is not valid. Second, a writer can concede the point, and allow that, the subject does have a flaw. In either case, it is important to be respectful of opposing positions, while still remaining firm to the original claim.
5.Establishing credibility and authority:
A writer’s credibility and authority lead to readers’ confidence in your judgment and their willingness to recognize and acknowledge that credibility and authority. An author can gain credibility by showing that he/she knows a lot about the subject. In addition, the writer shows that his/her judgment is based on valid values and standards.
The writer’s authority is in large part based upon the background of the author—education, etc. Is the author qualified to make a judgment? For some subjects, like a film review, simply watching the film might be enough. In other instances, like evaluating the quality of newly constructed cabinets or the engine of a new car, more experience might be necessary.
The Structure of an Evaluation Essay
Evaluation essays are structured as follows.
Subject
First, the essay will present thesubject. What is being evaluated? Why? The essay begins with the writer giving any details needed about the subject.
Judgement
Next, the essay needs to provide ajudgmentabout 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 thecriteriaused to evaluate the subject. In an evaluation essay, the criteria must be appropriate for evaluating the subject under consideration. Appropriate criteria will help to keep the essay from seeming biased or unreasonable. If authors evaluated the quality of a movie based on the snacks sold at the snack bar, that would make them seem unreasonable, and their evaluation may be disregarded because of it.
Evidence
Theevidenceof an evaluation essay consists of the supporting details authors provide based on their judgment of the criteria.
For example, if the subject of an evaluation is a restaurant, a judgment could be “Kay’s Bistro provides an unrivaled experience in fine dining.” Some authors evaluate fine dining restaurants by identifying appropriate criteria in order to rate the establishment’s food quality, service, and atmosphere. The examples are evidence.
Another example of evaluation is literary analysis; judgments may be made about a character in the story based on the character’s actions, characteristics, and past history within the story. The scenes in the story are evidence for why readers have a certain opinion of the character.
Job applications and interviews are more examples of evaluations. Based on certain criteria, management and hiring committees determine which applicants will be considered for an interview and which applicant will be hired.
Example Outline
Thesis: McAdoo’s is a fantastic family restaurant, offering young and old alike a great atmosphere, wonderful customer service, and a fantastic menu.
- Introduction
- Info about McAdoo’s (McAdoo’s is a new restaurant in one of the oldest German settlements in Texas.
- Location–New Braunfels, TX
- History–old post office, restored
- Type of food
- One of the best things about McAdoo’s is the atmosphere.From the moment you step out of your car until you take your seat, McAdoo’s exudes charm.
- Walking up to the restaurant–cool exterior
- Lobby–original post office doors, etc
- Tables–great decor–memorabilia from NB history
- Once you’ve been seated, you’ll notice the superb service offered at this establishment.
- prompt, courteous service
- refills, bread
- taking care of complaints–all you can eat lobster out–so price reduced
- Of course, the food is scrumptious.
- bread
- seafood
- land lovers
- Conclusion…If you’re ever in NB, I highly suggest stopping in at McAdoo’s and absorbing some of the great old world charm with some delicious food.
Possible “Get Started” Idea
- Evaluate a restaurant. What do you expect in a good restaurant? What criteria determine whether a restaurant is good?
- List three criteria that you will use to evaluate a restaurant. Then dine there. Afterward, explain whether or not the restaurant meets each criterion, and include evidence (qualities from the restaurant) that backs your evaluation.
- Give the restaurant a star rating. (5 Stars: Excellent, 4 Stars: Very Good, 3 Stars: Good, 2 Stars: Fair, 1 Star: Poor). Explain why the restaurant earned this star rating.
In this essay, you will evaluate potential obstacles to learning. Think about the health and wellness of a college student during an international pandemic. What do you need to be successful? Do you have access to resources? Are the GCC resources adequate to support the community and its students during the pandemic?
You will evaluate at least three campus resources. Your recommendation should clearly state which of the resources should be maintained, which should be improved, and which might be eliminated, if any.
Purpose: This assignment will demonstrate the understanding of how to do a thorough evaluation of an approved topic. Students will review the complex elements of the topic they have chosen. Evaluative essays call for the writer to assess a subject in light of specific and explicit criteria and to make a judgment based on the assessment.
Task: This assignment evaluates a campus resource.
Write an Evaluation Essay. For this essay, you will choose a clear topic, give a reason for the evaluation, use description and categorization, create evaluation criteria, use concrete evidence and demonstrate the “why” of your position.
Possible Topics
Some topics to consider are listed here:
- Center for Learning
- Writing Center
- Math Solutions
- High Tech 1
- High Tech 2
- GCC Counseling and Career Services
- Library
- Fitness Center
Key Features of an Evaluation:
- Describe the particular phenomenon or work in a way that the rhetorical audience will understand and value.
- Present the criteria on which the phenomenon or work is to be evaluated clearly, persuasively, authoritatively, and often in an order indicating importance. Criteria can be categorized into three groups: necessary (crucial but not enough to meet your overall assessment), sufficient (meeting all of your minimum standards, including the necessary ones), and accidental (unnecessary but an added bonus to the necessary and sufficient criteria).
- Include concrete evidence and relevant examples from your personal experience and research illustrate the ways (usually in the form of assertions) the phenomenon does or does not meet each evaluative criterion. These fair and balanced assertions support the thesis statement.
- At least three (3) sources on the Works Cited; these could be from your personal experience, college web pages, public health information, or sources related to quality college resources.
- Articulate a clear argument (usually in the form of a thesis statement) about whether or not the object or phenomenon meets the criteria on which it is being evaluated.
- Demonstrate an ethical approach to the process.
Key Grading Considerations
- Content
- A clear reason for the evaluation
- Use of description
- Categorizing
- Clear evaluation criteria
- Concrete evidence & Examples
- A clear argument presented (Thesis)
- The establishment of ethos (balanced argument)
- Secure closure to the argument (conclusion)
- Three (3) sources minimum
- Key Features are included
- Organization
- One inch margins
- Typed and double-spaced
- The heading is double-spaced on the left side of the page (includes name, my name, class, date)
- Upper right-hand corner has last name and page number (EX: Dewey 1)
- The font is Times New Roman, size 12
- The title is original and is centered one line under the heading
- Works Cited page lists outside sources in MLA format
- Descriptive Language
- Language Use, Mechanics & Organization
- Correct, appropriate, and varied integration of textual examples, including in-text citations
- Limited errors in spelling, grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and punctuation
- Good use of academic English
- Demonstrates cohesion and flow
- Fully in MLA Format
- One inch margins
- Typed and double-spaced
- The heading is double-spaced on the left side of the page (includes name, my name, class, date)
- Upper right-hand corner has last name and page number (EX: Dewey 1)
- The font is Times New Roman, size 12
- The title is original and is centered one line under the heading
- Works Cited page has hanging indents and is in alphabetical order by author’s last name
- Content Adapted from “Five Characteristics of an Evaluative Essay” from The Worry-Free Writer by Dr. Karen Palmer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
- Content Adapted from Susan Wood, “Evaluation Essay,” Leeward CC ENG 100 OER,licensed under theCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- Original Content contributed by Christine Jones “Time to Write” licensed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.