ENG 101: Analysis Evaluation

This analysis evaluation will be both an analysis of and a response to an assigned reading.

Directions

Write a 1,250 to 1,500 word, well-organized essay on a reading assigned by your instructor. You
will closely analyze and evaluate a reading in your own words and provide support by including
key information from the text.

Content

Begin with the title, author, source, publication date, and main idea of the assigned reading.
Then, briefly summarize (around 1 page or 200 words!) the article.
Following the summary, include your thesis statement (last sentence of first paragraph) “The
author’s argument is (or is not) effective because ______, _______, _______.”

Then analyze the text for its different pieces, examine how those pieces work alone and together,
and whether they are effective or not.

Use the following to help direct your writing (Suggestion: group colored items together into the
same paragraph. Remember to use appropriate transitions when moving from one idea to the
next.)

_____ What is the text’s purpose (e.g. persuade, entertain, inform)?

_____ Who is the intended audience?

_____ What is the tone?

_____ Is there an interesting use of language? (Does the author use figurative language
or language that is heavily connotative? Use examples. Explain.)

_____ Is the author credible? How do you know?

_____ Is the author making a claim? Is it credible? Explain.

_____ What kinds of evidence does the author use? Find examples of Facts/statistics,
testimonials, hypotheticals, and/or analogies. Evaluate each one: is it Relevant?
Sufficient? Reliable? Accurate?* (This may require 3 separate paragraphs – one
for each piece of evidence you evaluate.)

_____ What organizational structure does the author use?** Give an example that
illustrates the structure. Is it effective and logical?

_____ Is there evidence of bias or assumptions in the writing?

_____ Does the author leave out any information that might change a reader’s view?
_____ From what worldview is the author writing?
 _____ Conclusion: Is this article effective in the arguments that it makes? Why or why
not? (This should be your thesis statement, restated from beginning). Highlight main points.
NO NEW INFORMATION.

You should address the following thoroughly in your analysis:

 *What kind of evidence (testimony, facts and statistics, analogies, hypotheticals, CARWT pp. 186-
188) does the author use (there may be more than one)? Is it relevant? Sufficient? Reliable?
Accurate? You may have to do research to determine accuracy. Give examples.
 **What kind of organizational structure does the author use (cause and effect,
chronological/process, classification, comparison contrast, definition, example, listing, mixed,
CARWT pp. 198-201)? Is this structure a logical choice and work for the evidence used (does it
flow well and enhance understanding)? Give examples.

Point of View and Format

The analysis evaluation should be written in third person point of view. It should be typed and
double spaced with an appropriate title.