Evaluation Essay

Definition

            In an essay of evaluation, a writer acts like a roving critic, exploring the significance of your topic.  The purpose of an evaluation essay is to demonstrate the overall quality (or lack thereof) of a particular product, business, place, service, or program.  To develop an essay of this type, think in terms of a subject’s value, impact, and significance; its strengths and weaknesses; its place in the scheme of things.

Choosing a Subject

            An Evaluation Essay explores a particular event, a current trend, an extended project, a recent decision, a new product, and so on.  Consider recent experiences, conversations, and headlines for possible ideas.  It can focus on current events, political or social events, or developments in medicine or technology.

Thesis Development

While any evaluation involves injecting some form of opinion, if an evaluation is done properly, it should not come across as opinionated.  Instead, the evaluation should seem reasoned and unbiased. 

Organization

In order to give a clear representation and reasonable, unbiased discussion of your topic keep the following elements in mind:

• Critera – This refers to the elements or qualities that demonstrate an ideal for any similar situation.  Having clear criteria establishes your paper with facts and details so that it does not appear to be only an opinion.  For example, if evaluating a restaurant, you would choose the common characteristics of menu items, cleanliness, staff, prices, etc. 
• Judgment – This establishes whether or not your topic meets the appropriate criteria that you’ve chosen to consider in your evaluation.  Using the example of a restaurant, if you’ve chosen as criteria the quality of food, the judgment states whether or not the particular restaurant offers food that meets or exceeds this stated quality.
• Evidence – These are the details that support your judgment of the criteria.  Again, in the restaurant example, if you have determined that the quality does not meet a certain standard, give an explanation that serves as evidence.

Generally, each body paragraph of an evaluation essay is going to focus on one specific criterion, which should be fully explained, followed by the judgment and a variety of evidence offered as support.  Because of this, it is important that any evaluation contains several different criteria, judgments, and evidence.

Essay Guidelines

– Due dates:  Pre-Write due March 26; Rough Draft due April 4;  Final Draft due April 23

– Essay length:  800 – 1000 words (between 3 and 6 pages)

– Rough drafts can be typed or hand-written, but must be double-spaced.

– Final draft format:

– Typed (if this is not possible, please let me know)

– 1 inch margins

– Name and date on the upper right hand corner

– Number the pages on the lower right hand corner

– Title centered above the text of the essay

Mystery Story

Write your own Holmes mystery

Using what you have learned about characteristics of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, write your own. It can be a significant mystery (someone stole my car!) or a small one (why do my socks go astray in the dryer?).  It can be funny or serious in tone. As a reminder, include some of the following: 

a. Retelling of an action sequence 
b. Holmes using deductive reasoning 
c. Holmes taking justice into his own hands 
d. Character from a foreign land with a dark past 
e. Holmes unable to solve the case 
f. Exotic murder weapon 
g. Young woman about to be married 
h. Grotesque details 
i. Crime committed

Story Guidelines

– Due dates:  Pre-Write due January 23; Rough Draft due January 30;  Final Draft due February 13

– Essay length:  500 – 900 words (between 2 and 6 pages)

– Rough drafts can be typed or hand-written, but must be double-spaced.

– Final draft format:

– Typed (if this is not possible, please let me know)

– 1 inch margins

– Name and date on the upper right hand corner

– Number the pages on the lower right hand corner

– Title centered above the text of the essay

Writing 2 Final Draft Rubric

Criterion	Incomplete (0)	Beginning (1 – 2)	Developing (3 – 5)	Proficient (6 – 7)	Advanced   (8 - 9)	Exceptional (10)
Focus:  Thesis, Intro, Concl.	Specific topic is unclear and no statement of an opinion or a stand. No introduction No conclusion	Specific topic is clear but no statement of an opinion or a stand. Brief introduction that doesn’t state the topic or subtopics Brief conclusion; abrupt ending	Thesis statement expresses the topic but not an opinion or a stand. Weak introduction that states the topic but is missing a clear thesis. The focus of the paper is unclear. Conclusion does not fully summarize the main points nor restates the thesis statement.	Thesis statement includes the topic and expresses a stand or opinion. Introduction states topic and thesis and gives direction to the paper. Conclusion reiterates main points and restates the thesis statement.	Clearly-stated topic and thoughtful thesis statement. Strong introduction with a thesis statement that grabs attention and directs the course of the essay. Strong conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis statement.  Satisfactorily wraps up the essay.	Clearly-stated, thought-provoking topic and compelling thesis statement. Excellent introduction with a thesis statement that grabs attention and directs the course of the essay. Excellent conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis statement.  Skillfully wraps up the essay.
Content	Contains mostly unrelated information No specific details, only generalities.	No major points to support the thesis are included.  No details related to the topic have been used; ideas are disconnected.	Some of the major points are covered. Some specific details are included. Lacks sufficient material to fully support thesis.	Many of the major points are covered. Many of the appropriate details are included with each point.	All major points are discussed. All points include some details.	All major points are thoroughly and insightfully discussed. All points are fully supported with strong details.
Organization	Ideas are arranged randomly.  There may be no division of paragraphs.	Ideas are slightly random with occasional orderly sections.  Inconsistent division of paragraphs.	Like ideas are grouped together, and paragraphs are present, but ideas within may not be organized logically.  Transitions may be lacking.	An apparent progression of ideas that allows the reader to move through the text without confusion. Sentences with paragraphs are organized and flow smoothly	A coherent progression of ideas that allows the reader to move through the text without confusion. Sentences within paragraphs flow smoothly with good use of transitions.	Expresses a clear, logical sequence of ideas within paragraphs and throughout the paper. Sentences within paragraphs flow effortlessly with excellent use of transitions.
Mechanics	Numerous errors; meaning of paper unclear	Frequent errors, seriously impairs flow & meaning of paper	Errors noticeable and occasionally detract from flow or meaning of paper	Some errors that are minor in nature and don’t detract from overall meaning of paper	Very few errors that are minor in nature and don’t detract from overall meaning of paper	Essentially faultless; errors may result from risk-taking and do not detract from the paper

Total Score – 40 possible points

Personal Commentary

Definition

            A commentary is essentially a thoughtful reaction to some aspect of life.  Similar to an editorial in which a writer attacks or applauds a specific newsworthy item, commentaries speak about some aspect of culture, society, beliefs, etc.  Unlike editorials, they are usually more even-handed and reflective.  Current affairs, trends, developments, business dealings, politics, etc. are all good source of subject matter for a personal commentary.

Thesis Statements

            Select the main point and the focus you want to convey.  Determine your opinion about this topic and craft a thesis statement that expresses it clearly.

Organization of the essay

            In an essay of this kind, you will need to give some background information, especially if it is a complicated topic.  This should be brief and give important information that will connect with the rest of your essay.  Include not only concrete details that support your thesis, but your personal opinions and the reasons behind those opinions.

Tips on Planning

– Focus your efforts.  A topic that is too broad will be hard to cover in a short essay.  Also, too many details confuse the reader.

– Present your experience or information in an engaging way so that your readers can appreciate its importance; present your ideas in an organized way.

Essay Guidelines

– Due dates:  Rough Draft due August 29; Final Draft due September 12

– Essay length:  at least 300 words (about 1 page)

– Rough drafts can be typed or hand-written, but must be double-spaced.

– Final draft format:

– Typed (if this is not possible, please let me know)

– 1 inch margins

– Name and date on the upper right hand corner

– Number the pages on the lower right hand corner

– Title centered above the text of the essay

DRAFTING THE ESSAY

Writing a Thesis

– A thesis statement expresses a main idea that can be developed with stated reasons.  This statement is usually an opinion, feeling attitude, belief, or point of view about the topic.  It should not be a statement of fact that needs no development.

– The thesis must create an adequate focus for the paper.  If the main idea is too broad, it cannot be adequately developed on one paper; if it is too narrow, an entire paper is not needed to develop it.

– The thesis can be the first sentence of the introduction, or can be placed anywhere in the introductory paragraph.

What kind of information to include?

– Include information that proves, illustrates, explains, or defines the thesis.

– Support your thesis and give specific information and concrete details that include examples, facts, statistics, and other concrete information.

– The specific details should relate directly to the main idea.  Supporting sentences often explain how the specific detail proves the thesis statement.

– Supporting sentences should express unity.  Every sentence should support the thesis.

Building Strong Sentences

– Plan your sentences using a map or outline

– Put your sentences in a logical order.  Sentences that have a logical connection and consistency illustrate cohesion.

– Two tools that help make sentences coherent are transitions and repeated key words.  These help clarify the relationship between ideas.

Organizing Supporting Sentences

– The most logical ways to organize supporting statements are

            Time relation (present to past OR past to present)

            Space relation (near to far OR far to near; circular; height positions)

            Order of importance (often the strongest supporting sentences come first and last)

Writing the Introduction

– Because the introduction establishes the reader’s attitude toward the topic and toward the writer, it is the most important part of the essay.

– The introduction should

            Get the reader interested in the topic (attention-getter)

            Provide background information about the topic (factual material)

            State the thesis of the essay (main idea)

– Attention-Getter and Background Information         

Some essays start gradually by getting the reader ready for the thesis.  Background information gets the reader in the mood for the rest of the essay.

– Strategies for attention-getting and background information:

A good story or anecdote

History, facts, or initial information

An appropriate quotation

A problem the reader should know about concerning the topic

A question that limits your topic

A statement that popular ideas about your topic are wrong

A reference to something historical, something in the news, a current event, or a literary work

A strong opinion.

– Appeal to Audience:  address the audience of the essay. 

– Length and Placement:  how much background information to provide depends upon the length of the essay and the strategy the writer uses to get the reader prepared for the thesis.

– Thesis or Thesis statement:  This sentence should be in the introduction in order to create a focus for the essay.

Body Paragraphs

– Each paragraph in the body of the essay develops one main point that supports the thesis.

– The body paragraphs usually follow the traditional paragraph pattern of topic sentence, supporting sentences, and conclusion.  Not every paragraph necessarily has a stated topic sentence, but every paragraph has a main idea.

– Effective body paragraphs use transitions within and between paragraphs to create coherence.

Order of Body Paragraphs

– You can organize your paragraphs in a number of ways; the important consideration is to make the order clear and logical to the reader.

– Possible presentations:

            Chronological order

            Order of importance

            Combination of plans

Conclusion

– The conclusion is the final paragraph.  If the essay is very long, the conclusion might be more than one paragraph, but usually have only one paragraph.

– Strategies for concluding:

– Refer back to the story, problem, question, or quote that began the introduction

– Emphasize the important point.  Remind the reader of the thesis of the essay and how its major details are developed.

– Avoid beginning the conclusion with “in conclusion” or “finally” or “to summarize.”  This is obvious to the reader.

– Do not repeat the thesis statement word for word and list the major details explained in the introduction.

– Avoid beginning a new argument in the conclusion.

Pre-Writing Exercises

Getting Started

·         Think right:  believe in yourself and ability to learn; keep trying and learn from mistakes

·         Get organized

–  Use a notebook:  keep track of handouts and assignments

–  Take notes:  notes help you to retain important information and stay focused; write down whatever your teacher writes on the board and specific information about assignments.

–  Schedule study time:  don’t leave assignments to the last minute; schedule regular time

–  Use good resources:  teachers, books, on-line sources, classmates

           

First Steps to Writing

·         Understanding the assignment

–  Make sure you are clear on requirements:

Due Date

Length

Format of paper

Topic restrictions

·         Narrowing the topic

–  Find an area of the topic that you can write about

–  Narrowing tree to divide a general topic or subject into more specific parts until you find a specific topic of interest

–  Brainstorming by thinking of the aspects of the topic or of specific examples and writing down all the ideas that come to mind (can be done in a group)

·         Determining the writing context

–  Purpose:  why are you writing, what your goals are, and what you hope to accomplish; what to include and what to leave out; most writing is to inform, to persuade, or to entertain.

–  Audience:  tailor your statements to the person or group to whom you are speaking; keep in mind your audience’s interests, concerns, values, educational backgrounds, and attitudes.

–  Tone:  the writer’s attitude toward the subject or audience; can range from serious, sarcastic, angry, humorous, condescending, insensitive, compassionate, etc.

·         Formulating a main idea:  think about the direction you might be heading in or what you might write about; stating a tentative main idea will help you generate ideas about your narrowed topic more effectively.

Generating Supporting Ideas

·         Brainstorming:  write down everything you think of regarding this topic; be aware of all the senses; can be done in phrases; can be done individually or in a group

·         Freewriting:  start writing sentences and paragraphs; write everything that comes to mind

·         Listing:  visualize and write what comes to mind;

·         Clustering/ Mind map:  cluster related ideas together; group or organize ideas

·         Dividing:  break the topic into its components; use journalistic questions (who, what, where, when, why how)

Organizing Ideas

·         State the main idea:  narrow your topic into a thesis statement; sometimes this will need to be revised as you gather materials

·         Map your topic:  Use the a table similar to the one below the develop your ideas

Supporting Ideas	Specific Details	Relation to Thesis

·         Outline:  use the formal outline structure to help organize topics of support and subtopics.  The outline below is an example of style.

I.  Introduction

            A.  Specifics

            B.  Specifics 

II.  Suppporting idea #1

            A.  Specifics

            B.  Specifics

                        1.  Details

                        2.  More details

III.  Supporting idea #2

            A.  Specifics

                        1.  Details

                        2.  More details

            B.  Specifics

IV.  Conclusion

EXAMPLE OF A MIND MAP

Mystery Story

Write your own Holmes mystery

Using what you have learned about characteristics of a Sherlock Holmes mystery, write your own. It can be a significant mystery (someone stole my car!) or a small one (why do my socks go astray in the dryer?).  It can be funny or serious in tone. As a reminder, include some of the following: 

a. Retelling of an action sequence 
b. Holmes using deductive reasoning 
c. Holmes taking justice into his own hands 
d. Character from a foreign land with a dark past 
e. Holmes unable to solve the case 
f. Exotic murder weapon 
g. Young woman about to be married 
h. Grotesque details 
i. Crime committed

Story Guidelines

– Due dates:  Pre-Write due January 25; Rough Draft due February 1;  Final Draft due February 15

– Essay length:  500 – 900 words (between 2 and 6 pages)

– Rough drafts can be typed or hand-written, but must be double-spaced.

– Final draft format:

– Typed (if this is not possible, please let me know)

– 1 inch margins

– Name and date on the upper right hand corner

– Number the pages on the lower right hand corner

– Title centered above the text of the essay