Due Tuesday, September 29, is your third essay, the Evaluation Draft.

There are example Evaluation essays in the “What is Evaluation?” module. Read them before you begin.

Your topic (NOT YOUR TITLE) is a movie, TV show, book, or product.

Your draft will begin by identifying the thing you are evaluating, and then it will evaluate the thing, with detail and vivid description. Your first paragraph will end with a three-part thesis statement with reasons you like/dislike the thing. Each body paragraph will develop each reason in the thesis statement. If you are writing about a book or movie,  this is not a summary or synopsis; it is a judgment call. Also, any essay about a movie or book with spoilers will receive an unsatisfactory grade. Upload your draft to Canvas for peer review.

My heroes, I am not your editor or proofreader. YOU should edit and proofread well before submitting your draft. 

Your two-page draft should be double-spaced with clear paragraphing and headed with your name, section and date, as well as an interesting title.

what is an evaluation essay?

We all evaluate things, all day, every day. 

We evaluate the clothing we’re about to buy –as well as the clothing we already own: Is it the right color? Is it clean? Is it in good condition? Is it appropriate for the occasion?

We evaluate restaurants: What’s the food like? How is the service? What about the prices?

We evaluate friendships, employers, teachers, television shows, movies, products, and many, many other things. 

An evaluation is a judgment call. It speaks of our opinion on things –and why we hold those opinions. “Not the Lobster For Me” begins with three reasons —a three-part thesis statement— the writer doesn’t like the Red Lobster restaurant. The writer addresses those three reasons in three separate paragraphs, in the same order of the reasons in her thesis statement. In each paragraph, the writer gives specific examples: specific people in specific situations that support the point she is making in each paragraph. Without support, the writer’s evaluation is merely a weak opinion. 

Of course everyone has a right to his or her opinion, but not all opinions are created equal. We will revisit this idea when we address argument.