Evaluation Essay Information, Instructions, & Rubric Instructor: K.

Long-Ingl 3103

What is an Evaluation Essay? Additional Information

An evaluation essay or report (also called an evaluative paper) is a type of argument that includes evidence to justify a writers opinions about a subject. Such an essay seems to be subjective in nature, but only superficially. In fact it is said to combine the characteristics of an argumentative essay, a comparative essay and an analysis. Evaluation essays are usually written for the purpose of arriving at conclusions by weighing the pros and cons of something. Eloquent examples of such essays are film and book reviews. In order to get prepared for their evaluation, you are to read some review examples written by professional journalists, find out the standards they use in their reviews, and employ them. To undertake the evaluation of other themes, first read some books on the topic and talk to people who possess know-how of the matter in question. Evaluation Essay Structure and Format Tips Evaluation essays set out to create criteria and then judge or evaluate the subject based on these criteria. Writing an evaluation essay requires you to fully analyze both sides and determine an arguable judgment. You must fully explore the subject and then provide views and evidence to support that judgment. Your writing starts with gathering necessary and relevant materials. Then you formulate a thesis that is your judgment upon the topic, create an essay outline, argue your judgment with evidence and smoothly come to the conclusions. Step-by-Step Instructions

Find something to evaluate. Brainstorm possible topics to evaluate by making a list. For example, you might make a list of movies, films, books or policies to evaluate. Decide on a topic and then further your brainstorming with an expanded list of details about the topic. Draft a thesis statement. The thesis details the overall purpose of the evaluation essay and sets up the angle for your judgment. In evaluation essays, the thesis should argue the value or lack of value of your particular topic based on the criteria you will later establish. Define your subject. Provide background information about your topic or subject before you begin evaluating. For example, when evaluating a book, provide a brief summary of the plot and its characters to set up the context of the evaluation for the reader. Choose the appropriate criteria. In order to evaluate a topic or attempt to pass judgment, writers need to detail criteria in which the topic will be evaluated. For example, if you are evaluating a movie, the criteria might be national cinematography affiliation, plot, action, realistic characters or visual effects. Critique the criteria. When drafting evaluation essays, the body of your essay should address the effectiveness or ineffective qualities of each set of criteria. Provide examples to support your judgment of each criteria and argue in accordance with your thesis.

Evaluation Essay Peer Review WorksheetIngl 3103 Sec._______ Student Writer___________ Reviewed by ________________

1. What is this writers purpose? Does the writer achieve this purpose effectively? 2. Identify any places where the writers ideas are unclear. How could the writer clarify these points? 3. What is the writers thesis statement (judgment/evaluation)? Does the writer provide supporting reasons for the evaluation? 4. Does the writer familiarize you with the subject being evaluated? Did they include the 3 criterias? 5. Does each paragraph provide a topic sentence that provides a supporting statement? Does each paragraph provide sentences that relate to the topic sentence? 6. Compare essays introduction and conclusion. Is the argument in the introduction consistent with the argument in the conclusion? If not, how could the writer revise for consistency? 7. Name two strengths of the paper. Was there a particularly memorable detail or well-crafted idea? 8. Name two suggestions for the paper. Are there any strategies you can suggest to the writer to help him/her with her paper?

Evaluation Essay INGL 3103 Instructor K. Long Instructions Students, the time has come to write your second essay for this course. Please read this document in its entirety. Remember: If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at kimberly.long@upr.edu. I usually answer emails in a timely matter. Tips and Warnings: 1. Please look at Chapter 4 as a guide on writing your essay. An outline and examples are provided and were discussed in class. 2. DO NOT PLAGIARISE 3. Make sure you integrate at least 2 sources. These articles can come from WebPages, newspapers, or magazines. Specific Rules: 1. The essay should be between 2-2/12 pages. Please do not go over 3 pages. 2. The paper must follow MLA format and include a works cited page. 3. Evaluation essays will be evaluated according to the use of rhetoric and language within the discussion and effective evaluation of the product, cd, movie, TV show, or person you are evaluating. 4. DO NOT PLAGIARISE 5. Make sure you integrate at least 2 sources. These articles can come from WebPages, newspapers, or magazines. Specific Rules: 4. The essay should be between 2-2/12 pages. Please do not go over 3 pages. 5. The paper must follow MLA format and include a works cited page.

6. Evaluation essays will be evaluated according to the use of rhetoric and language within the discussion and effective evaluation of the product, cd, movie, TV show, or person you are evaluating. Due Dates: Rough Draft: Due on Nov 7, 2011 (Peer Review). This day bring you rough draft, the outline, and at least ONE (1) article that you will use for your essay. If you come unprepared for class, you will be marked absent and lose points for the essay. Final Draft: Due on October 14, 2011. Make sure you get to class on time and ready to hand in: o Outline o The first draft / Including the Peer Review Sheet o Copies of Both sources that were used in the essay. Make sure to only include the page you used your source and highlight the specific sentence used within your essay. o Rubric ( a MUST) If you do not turn in your essay on the due date, you will lose 5 points each day. You MUST include all of the required documents on the day of the essay. (NO excuses)

INGL 3103: Rubric for Evaluation EssayInstructor K. Long

Originality and Creativity FIVE (5) Points Content Twenty-Five (25) Points

Excellent The title, topic, and introductory sentence demonstrate outstanding originality and creativity. (5 POINTS) Ideas are clear and thoroughly explained. Provides a balanced amount of details and evidence. Demonstrates an arrayed use of English vocabulary. (25 - 20 POINTS)
Arguments are very well supported (with insightful examples, arguments, and details). The essay includes quotes/ passages from the text and a strong analysis of their significance. (10 - 8 POINTS) The paper follows an organized structure and connects ideas using effective rhetorical strategies. The introduction opens up the topic appropriately, and the conclusion provides complete closure. (20 - 15 POINTS) Demonstrates artful command of intermediate English vocabulary. Few or no grammatical errors. (15 13 POINTS) Follows all of the rules given for this essay (word limit, instructions, selection of texts, outline, etc.). (15 13 POINTS) Follows all of the standard MLA guidelines (quotes, Works Cited, spacing, etc.) (5 POINTS) A previous complete draft reviewed by a classmate was included with the final draft. (5 POINTS)

Good The title, topic, and introductory sentence demonstrate a salient degree of originality. (4 - 3 POINTS) Ideas are clear but lack supporting evidence and details. Certain words are repeated constantly. Provides a somewhat balanced amount of textual evidence and details. (19 15 POINTS)
Supporting details and information are relevant, but some key issues are unsupported. The main idea is clear but the supporting information is too general (7 - 5 POINTS). The paper lacks an effective and organized structure. The introduction briefly opens up the topic. The conclusion leaves some questions or suggestions unanswered. Some ideas seem disconnected and lack rhetorical strategies. (14 10 POINTS) Demonstrates decent command of intermediate English vocabulary. Some errors distract the reader. (12 9 POINTS) Follows most of the rules given for this essay (word limit, instructions, selection of texts, etc.). (12 9 POINTS) Follows most of the standard MLA guidelines (quotes, Works Cited, spacing, etc.) (4 3 POINTS) N/A

Support Ten Points (10) Points

Fair The title, topic, and introductory sentence are quite unoriginal and demonstrate lack of depth. (2 - 1 POINTS) Ideas lack clarity and supporting details. Ideas are disconnected from the main idea or interpretation of the short story. Vocabulary is too basic and lackluster. Provides weak evidence. (14 10 POINTS) Supporting details and information are relevant, but several key issues are unsupported. Main idea is somewhat clear but there is need for more supporting information.
(4 2 POINTS) Essay jumps from one idea to the next without creating effective connections. The introduction does not present any idea or context for the paper. The conclusion does not provide sufficient close, and leaves many questions unanswered. Unorganized. (9 - 5 POINTS) Demonstrates basic knowledge of English vocabulary. The grammatical errors confuse the reader. (8 5 POINTS) Follows a couple of the rules given for this essay (word limit, instructions, selection of texts, etc.). (8 5 POINTS) Follows some of the standard MLA guidelines (quotes, paging, spacing...) (2 1 POINTS) A previous draft that was too incomplete or not reviewed was included with the final draft. (3 POINTS)

Poor The title, topic, and introductory sentence demonstrate a total lack of originality. (0 POINTS) Total lack of clarity. Lacks the basic elements of a literary analysis paper. Demonstrates a limited use of vocabulary and incorporation of ideas. Evidence is irrelevant. (9 0 POINTS)
Supporting details and information are missing, unclear, or not related to the topic. There is a seemingly random collection of information. (1 0 POINTS) Ideas and evidence are random and incoherent. The paper demonstrates a complete lack of thoughtfulness and organization. Completely lacks the use of rhetorical strategies, and the reader constantly feels lost. (4 - 0 POINTS) The paper is unreadable due to the vast amount of grammatical errors present within the paper. (4 - 0 POINTS) Follows few of the rules given for this essay (word limit, instructions, selection of texts, etc.). Or no printed copies of the articles used were provided. (4 0 POINTS) Follows few of the standard MLA guidelines (quotes, page number, spacing, etc.) (0 POINTS) No previous draft was included with the final draft. (0 POINTS)

Development Twenty (20) Points

Grammar and Orthography Fifteen (15) Points General Essay Rules Fifteen (15) Points

MLA Format Five (5) Points

Previous Draft Five (5) Points

Total Amount of Points: _________

Final Grade: __________

Evaluation Essay #2 I have read the feedback written by the instructor and have received a rubric along with the essay as proof of my grade: Student: ______________________________ Total Amount of Points: __________ Signature:_______________________ Section: __________ Final Grade: __________

Overriding Criterion (Originality and Authenticity): If it is determined that the academic paper was plagiarized, downloaded from a webpage, translated using an online computer program, written by another person, originally written as a requisite for a previous class, or created/obtained in any manner that violates the intellectual or academic integrity of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez Campus, the student will automatically receive a grade of F (0%) on this paper. Depending on the gravity of the situation, the student might face being reported to the appropriate academic authorities.