evaluation of speech essay

7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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In this ultimate guide, I will explain to you exactly how to write an evaluation essay.

1. What is an Evaluation Essay?

An evaluation essay should provide a critical analysis of something.

You’re literally ‘evaluating’ the thing you’re looking up.

Here’s a couple of quick definitions of what we mean by ‘evaluate’:

Merriam-Webster defines evaluation as: “to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study”
Collins Dictionary says: “If you evaluate something or someone, you consider them in order to make a judgment about them, for example about how good or bad they are.”

Here’s some synonyms for ‘evaluate’:

So, we could say that an evaluation essay should carefully examine the ‘thing’ and provide an overall judgement of it.

Here’s some common things you may be asked to write an evaluation essay on:

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Really, you can evaluate just about anything!

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2. How to write an Evaluation Essay

There are two secrets to writing a strong evaluation essay. The first is to aim for objective analysis before forming an opinion. The second is to use an evaluation criteria.

Aim to Appear Objective before giving an Evaluation Argument

Your evaluation will eventually need an argument.

The evaluation argument will show your reader what you have decided is the final value of the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating.

But in order to convince your reader that your evaluative argument is sound, you need to do some leg work.

The aim will be to show that you have provided a balanced and fair assessment before coming to your conclusion.

In order to appear balanced you should:

Discuss both the pros and cons of the thing
Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of the thing
Look at the thing from multiple different perspectives
Be both positive and critical. Don’t make it look like you’re biased towards one perspective.

In other words, give every perspective a fair hearing.

You don’t want to sound like a propagandist. You want to be seen as a fair and balanced adjudicator.

Use an Evaluation Criteria

One way to appear balanced is to use an evaluation criteria.

An evaluation criteria helps to show that you have assessed the ‘thing’ based on an objective measure.

Here’s some examples of evaluation criteria:

Strength under pressure
Longevity (ability to survive for a long time)
Ease of use
Ability to get the job done
Friendliness
Punctuality
Ability to predict my needs
Calmness under pressure
Attentiveness

A Bed and Breakfast

Breakfast options
Taste of food
Comfort of bed
Local attractions
Service from owner
Cleanliness

We can use evaluation criteria to frame out ability to conduct the analysis fairly.

This is especially true for if you have to evaluate multiple different ‘things’. For example, if you’re evaluating three novels, you want to be able to show that you applied the same ‘test’ on all three books!

This will show that you gave each ‘thing’ a fair chance and looked at the same elements for each.

3. How to come up with an Evaluation Argument

After you have:

Looked at both good and bad elements of the ‘thing’, and
Used an evaluation criteria

You’ll then need to develop an evaluative argument. This argument shows your own overall perspective on the ‘thing’.

Remember, you will need to show your final evaluative argument is backed by objective analysis. You need to do it in order!

Analyze first. Evaluate second.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say you’re evaluating the quality of a meal.

You might say:

A strength of the meal was its presentation. It was well presented and looked enticing to eat.
A weakness of the meal was that it was overcooked. This decreased its flavor.
The meal was given a low rating on ‘cost’ because it was more expensive than the other comparative meals on the menu.
The meal was given a high rating on ‘creativity’. It was a meal that involved a thoughtful and inventive mix of ingredients.

Now that you’ve looked at some pros and cons and measured the meal based on a few criteria points (like cost and creativity), you’ll be able to come up with a final argument:

Overall, the meal was good enough for a middle-tier restaurant but would not be considered a high-class meal. There is a lot of room for improvement if the chef wants to win any local cooking awards.

Evaluative terms that you might want to use for this final evaluation argument might include:

All things considered
With all key points in mind

4. Evaluation Essay Outline (with Examples)

Okay, so now you know what to do, let’s have a go at creating an outline for your evaluation essay!

Here’s what I recommend:

4.1 How to Write your Introduction

In the introduction, feel free to use my 5-Step INTRO method . It’ll be an introduction just like any other essay introduction .

And yes, feel free to explain what the final evaluation will be.

So, here it is laid out nice and simple.

Write one sentence for each point to make a 5-sentence introduction:

Interest: Make a statement about the ‘thing’ you’re evaluating that you think will be of interest to the reader. Make it a catchy, engaging point that draws the reader in!
Notify: Notify the reader of any background info on the thing you’re evaluating. This is your chance to show your depth of knowledge. What is a historical fact about the ‘thing’?
Translate: Re-state the essay question. For an evaluative essay, you can re-state it something like: “This essay evaluates the book/ product/ article/ etc. by looking at its strengths and weaknesses and compares it against a marking criteria”.
Report: Say what your final evaluation will be. For example you can say “While there are some weaknesses in this book, overall this evaluative essay will show that it helps progress knowledge about Dinosaurs.”
Outline: Simply give a clear overview of what will be discussed. For example, you can say: “Firstly, the essay will evaluate the product based on an objective criteria. This criteria will include its value for money, fit for purpose and ease of use. Next, the essay will show the main strengths and weaknesses of the product. Lastly, the essay will provide a final evaluative statement about the product’s overall value and worth.”

If you want more depth on how to use the INTRO method, you’ll need to go and check out our blog post on writing quality introductions.

4.2 Example Introduction

This example introduction is for the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society.

“Facebook is the third most visited website in the world. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg in his college dorm. This essay evaluates the impact of Facebook on society and makes an objective judgement on its value. The essay will argue that Facebook has changed the world both for the better and worse. Firstly, it will give an overview of what Facebook is and its history. Then, it will examine Facebook on the criteria of: impact on social interactions, impact on the media landscape, and impact on politics.”

You’ll notice that each sentence in this introduction follows my 5-Step INTRO formula to create a clear, coherent 5-Step introduction.

4.3 How to Write your Body Paragraphs

The first body paragraph should give an overview of the ‘thing’ being evaluated.

Then, you should evaluate the pros and cons of the ‘thing’ being evaluated based upon the criteria you have developed for evaluating it.

Let’s take a look below.

4.4 First Body Paragraph: Overview of your Subject

This first paragraph should provide objective overview of your subject’s properties and history. You should not be doing any evaluating just yet.

The goal for this first paragraph is to ensure your reader knows what it is you’re evaluating. Secondarily, it should show your marker that you have developed some good knowledge about it.

If you need to use more than one paragraph to give an overview of the subject, that’s fine.

Similarly, if your essay word length needs to be quite long, feel free to spend several paragraphs exploring the subject’s background and objective details to show off your depth of knowledge for the marker.

4.5 First Body Paragraph Example

Sticking with the essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society , this might be your paragraph:

“Facebook has been one of the most successful websites of all time. It is the website that dominated the ‘Web 2.0’ revolution, which was characterized by user two-way interaction with the web. Facebook allowed users to create their own personal profiles and invite their friends to follow along. Since 2004, Facebook has attracted more than one billion people to create profiles in order to share their opinions and keep in touch with their friends.”

Notice here that I haven’t yet made any evaluations of Facebook’s merits?

This first paragraph (or, if need be, several of them) should be all about showing the reader exactly what your subject is – no more, no less.

4.6 Evaluation Paragraphs: Second, Third, Forth and Fifth Body Paragraphs

Once you’re confident your reader will know what the subject that you’re evaluating is, you’ll need to move on to the actual evaluation.

For this step, you’ll need to dig up that evaluation criteria we talked about in Point 2.

For example, let’s say you’re evaluating a President of the United States.

Your evaluation criteria might be:

Impact on world history
Ability to pass legislation
Popularity with voters
Morals and ethics
Ability to change lives for the better

Really, you could make up any evaluation criteria you want!

Once you’ve made up the evaluation criteria, you’ve got your evaluation paragraph ideas!

Simply turn each point in your evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

How do you do this?

Well, start with a topic sentence.

For the criteria point ‘Impact on world history’ you can say something like: “Barack Obama’s impact on world history is mixed.”

This topic sentence will show that you’ll evaluate both pros and cons of Obama’s impact on world history in the paragraph.

Then, follow it up with explanations.

“While Obama campaigned to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, he was unable to completely achieve this objective. This is an obvious negative for his impact on the world. However, as the first black man to lead the most powerful nation on earth, he will forever be remembered as a living milestone for civil rights and progress.”

Keep going, turning each evaluation criteria into a full paragraph.

4.7 Evaluation Paragraph Example

Let’s go back to our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

I’ve decided to use the evaluation criteria below:

impact on social interactions;
impact on the media landscape;
impact on politics

Naturally, I’m going to write one paragraph for each point.

If you’re expected to write a longer piece, you could write two paragraphs on each point (one for pros and one for cons).

Here’s what my first evaluation paragraph might look like:

“Facebook has had a profound impact on social interactions. It has helped people to stay in touch with one another from long distances and after they have left school and college. This is obviously a great positive. However, it can also be seen as having a negative impact. For example, people may be less likely to interact face-to-face because they are ‘hanging out’ online instead. This can have negative impact on genuine one-to-one relationships.”

You might notice that this paragraph has a topic sentence, explanations and examples. It follows my perfect paragraph formula which you’re more than welcome to check out!

4.8 How to write your Conclusion

To conclude, you’ll need to come up with one final evaluative argument.

This evaluation argument provides an overall assessment. You can start with “Overall, Facebook has been…” and continue by saying that (all things considered) he was a good or bad president!

Remember, you can only come up with an overall evaluation after you’ve looked at the subject’s pros and cons based upon your evaluation criteria.

In the example below, I’m going to use my 5 C’s conclusion paragraph method . This will make sure my conclusion covers all the things a good conclusion should cover!

Like the INTRO method, the 5 C’s conclusion method should have one sentence for each point to create a 5 sentence conclusion paragraph.

The 5 C’s conclusion method is:

Close the loop: Return to a statement you made in the introduction.
Conclude: Show what your final position is.
Clarify: Clarify how your final position is relevant to the Essay Question.
Concern: Explain who should be concerned by your findings.
Consequences: End by noting in one final, engaging sentence why this topic is of such importance. The ‘concern’ and ‘consequences’ sentences can be combined

4.9 Concluding Argument Example Paragraph

Here’s a possible concluding argument for our essay question: Write an Evaluation Essay on Facebook’s Impact on Society .

“The introduction of this essay highlighted that Facebook has had a profound impact on society. This evaluation essay has shown that this impact has been both positive and negative. Thus, it is too soon to say whether Facebook has been an overall positive or negative for society. However, people should pay close attention to this issue because it is possible that Facebook is contributing to the undermining of truth in media and positive interpersonal relationships.”

Note here that I’ve followed the 5 C’s conclusion method for my concluding evaluative argument paragraph.

5. Evaluation Essay Example Template

Below is a template you can use for your evaluation essay , based upon the advice I gave in Section 4:

Introduction	Use the to write an introduction. This introduction should clearly state what you are evaluating, the criteria that you will be using to evaluate it, and what will be.
Body Paragraph 1: Outline of the Subject	Before evaluating the subject or ‘thing’, make sure you use a paragraph or two to clearly explain what it is to the reader. This is your chance to show your depth of knowledge about the topic.
Body Paragraphs 2 – 5: Evaluate the Subject	Use the evaluation criteria you have decided upon to evaluate the subject. For each element of the criteria, write one paragraph looking at the pros and cons of the subject. You might want to use my to write your paragraphs.
Conclusion	Use my to write a 5-sentence conclusion. Make sure you show your final evaluative argument in the conclusion so your reader knows your final position on the issue.

6. 23+ Good Evaluation Essay Topics

Okay now that you know how to write an evaluation essay, let’s look at a few examples.

For each example I’m going to give you an evaluation essay title idea, plus a list of criteria you might want to use in your evaluation essay.

6.1 Evaluation of Impact

Evaluate the impact of global warming on the great barrier reef. Recommended evaluation criteria: Level of bleaching; Impact on tourism; Economic impact; Impact on lifestyles; Impact on sealife
Evaluate the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on poverty. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on jobs; Impact on childhood poverty; Impact on mental health rates; Impact on economic growth; Impact on the wealthy; Global impact
Evaluate the impact of having children on your lifestyle. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on spare time; Impact on finances; Impact on happiness; Impact on sense of wellbeing
Evaluate the impact of the internet on the world. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on connectedness; Impact on dating; Impact on business integration; Impact on globalization; Impact on media
Evaluate the impact of public transportation on cities. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on cost of living; Impact on congestion; Impact on quality of life; Impact on health; Impact on economy
Evaluate the impact of universal healthcare on quality of life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on reducing disease rates; Impact on the poorest in society; Impact on life expectancy; Impact on happiness
Evaluate the impact of getting a college degree on a person’s life. Recommended evaluation criteria: Impact on debt levels; Impact on career prospects; Impact on life perspectives; Impact on relationships

6.2 Evaluation of a Scholarly Text or Theory

Evaluate a Textbook. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of explanations; relevance to a course; value for money; practical advice; depth and detail; breadth of information
Evaluate a Lecture Series, Podcast or Guest Lecture. Recommended evaluation criteria: clarity of speaker; engagement of attendees; appropriateness of content; value for monet
Evaluate a journal article. Recommended evaluation criteria: length; clarity; quality of methodology; quality of literature review ; relevance of findings for real life
Evaluate a Famous Scientists. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to scientific knowledge; impact on health and prosperity of humankind; controversies and disagreements with other scientists.
Evaluate a Theory. Recommended evaluation criteria: contribution to knowledge; reliability or accuracy; impact on the lives of ordinary people; controversies and contradictions with other theories.

6.3 Evaluation of Art and Literature

Evaluate a Novel. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
Evaluate a Play. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
Evaluate a Film. Recommended evaluation criteria: plot complexity; quality of acting; moral or social value of the message; character development; relevance to modern life
Evaluate an Artwork. Recommended evaluation criteria: impact on art theory; moral or social message; complexity or quality of composition

6.4 Evaluation of a Product or Service

Evaluate a Hotel or Bed and Breakfast. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; flexibility of check-in and check-out times; cleanliness; location; value for money; wi-fi strength; noise levels at night; quality of meals; value for money
Evaluate a Restaurant. Recommended evaluation criteria: quality of service; menu choices; cleanliness; atmosphere; taste; value for money.
Evaluate a Car. Recommended evaluation criteria: fuel efficiency; value for money; build quality; likelihood to break down; comfort.
Evaluate a House. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; build quality; roominess; location; access to public transport; quality of neighbourhood
Evaluate a Doctor. Recommended evaluation criteria: Quality of service; knowledge; quality of equipment; reputation; value for money.
Evaluate a Course. Recommended evaluation criteria: value for money; practical advice; quality of teaching; quality of resources provided.

7. Concluding Advice

Evaluation essays are common in high school, college and university.

The trick for getting good marks in an evaluation essay is to show you have looked at both the pros and cons before making a final evaluation analysis statement.

You don’t want to look biased.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use an objective evaluation criteria, and to be generous in looking at both positives and negatives of your subject.

Read Also: 39 Better Ways to Write ‘In Conclusion’ in an Essay

I recommend you use the evaluation template provided in this post to write your evaluation essay. However, if your teacher has given you a template, of course use theirs instead! You always want to follow your teacher’s advice because they’re the person who will be marking your work.

Good luck with your evaluation essay!

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

2 thoughts on “7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)”

What an amazing article. I am returning to studying after several years and was struggling with how to present an evaluative essay. This article has simplified the process and provided me with the confidence to tackle my subject (theoretical approaches to development and management of teams).

I just wanted to ask whether the evaluation criteria has to be supported by evidence or can it just be a list of criteria that you think of yourself to objectively measure?

Many many thanks for writing this!

Usually we would want to see evidence, but ask your teacher for what they’re looking for as they may allow you, depending on the situation.

How to Evaluate a Speech

Last Updated: October 7, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 135,457 times.

Evaluating someone else’s speech and offering feedback is a great way to improve your own public speaking skills, but what should you be focusing on? This wikiHow will teach you how to listen actively to a speech, break it down, and analyze the most important elements, like tone, content, and organization. You’ll also find tips on how to offer your feedback in a constructive, encouraging way.

Listening Actively

Step 1 Give the speaker your undivided attention.

Turn off all electronic devices and put away any distractions. Look at the speaker while the speech is being given. You shouldn't have anything in your hands but maybe a notepad for taking notes.
Don't ever evaluate a speech based on the text alone. In other words, don't read the speech and offer feedback. Have the speaker perform the speech. If something is designed to be spoken, it needs to be heard if it is to be appropriately evaluated.

Step 2 Identify the main idea of the speech.

If you can't find the main idea of the speech, try to guess what you think the speaker is trying to prove. Write it down. When you're evaluating the speech later, this will be helpful feedback.
For some speeches, like a toast, a tribute, or a thank you, the main idea might be obvious, but play dumb. Is the speaker getting across the idea clearly? Or is the occasion doing too much of the work? Could the speaker do more to make the point of the speech obvious?

Step 3 Try to follow the supporting argument of the speaker.

If you’re listening to a persuasive speech, try to come up with responses, questions, and retorts that you might use for feedback later. What was confusing? Were there any supporting points that could be made more clear? Did you find any holes in the argument?
If you’re listening to an informal speech, like a toast or a congratulatory speech, focus on the organization of the information that we’re getting. Does it make sense? Does it follow? Does it seem to jump around?

Write down particularly memorable quotes or moments from the speech to praise. Write down any time the speaker gets a good crowd reaction, or a negative response.

Evaluating Specific Details

Step 1 Evaluate the content of the speech.

Was the content clear and well-articulated?
Was the argument supported with research? Good examples?
Was the content made clear to the audience?
Did the speaker prove their point?

Step 2 Evaluate the organization of the speech.

Was the supporting argument logically structured?
Was the speech easy to follow? Difficult? Why?
Do the speaker’s points flow logically from one to the next?
What could be included to clear up the speech for you?

Step 3 Evaluate the style of the speech.

How would you describe the style of the speech and the speaker?
Did the style of the speech work for the content, or against it? Why?
How convincing was the speaker?
How was the timing of the speech? Was it easy to follow?

Who is the audience for the speech? What are their expectations of the speech and the speaker?
How would you describe the tone of the speech?
Did it match the content? How?
If not, how might the tone be improved?
How well will the tone match the audience for the speech?

Giving Constructive Feedback

For some speech classes, you may have to fill out a rubric or assign a grade to a speech. Follow the specific class instructions regarding this and assign a grade appropriate.

Step 2 Summarize the speech as you understood it.

Try to start your response with things like, “What I heard you saying is…” or “What I got from this speech was…”
A good summary should be several sentences in the evaluation, perhaps slightly less than half of your feedback. Identify the main idea and the main supporting points of the speech. The summary should focus on content only.

Step 3 Focus your feedback primarily on the content of the speech.

If the speaker is mostly a wet blanket, focus on how the content could better match the speaking style and how the tone might be changed to match. These are changeable things. Telling a speaker to be "more dynamic" or "funny" isn't good feedback.

If you thought the speech was boring, instead learn to say something like, "It was subdued, which I think works well for the occasion."
If the speaker seemed nervous, try to reassure them with some compliments, "You seemed confident up there. The material really speaks for itself."

Step 5 Focus your feedback on revision of the speech.

Don’t say, “I didn’t like the jokes you used,” say, “Next time, I think you could leave the jokes out and the speech would move a little quicker.”

Step 6 Try to focus on no more than three key areas of improvement.

Focus first on content corrections, the organization of the speech, and the tone before you focus on anything else in the speech. These are the most important categories for improvement, and the best ways to quickly improve the speech. Think of these as the highest order of concern.
Worry about the specifics of the delivery later. Whether or not the timing of the joke at the end of the speech works should be one of the last things a speaker worries about. If the speech is already very good, feel free to move onto these secondary concerns.

Community Q&A

Refer to your notes only if you are giving a formal or written evaluation. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 1
Always begin and end your evaluation with praise. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3

↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.
↑ https://www.uiltexas.org/speech/extemp/criteria-for-evaluating-informative-speakers
↑ http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/resources/4-h-public-presentation-speech-rubric
↑ http://docencia.ac.upc.edu/master/MIRI/PD/docs/11-PresentationEvaluation.pdf
↑ https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/services/writing-center/writing-resources/style-diction-tone-and-voice/
↑ https://www.amherst.edu/system/files/Evaluating%2520Handout%2520Final%2520PDF%25202020.pdf
↑ https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/methode-sandwich-method-eng

About This Article

To evaluate a speech, start by listening attentively to the speaker and taking notes to help you identify the main arguments they are trying to make. Then, determine if the content of the speech was clear and supported by examples. Additionally, consider whether the information was organized so that it was easy to follow. Next, identify strengths and weakness in the delivery of the speech, including the tone and style of the speaker. Finally, write down your feedback, focusing on 3 areas to improve on and at least 1 thing the speaker did well. For tips on giving feedback to the speaker without offending them, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Speech evaluation

Speech evaluation: getting good feedback

How to give & get useful feedback, plus a printable public speaking evaluation form

By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 06-08-2023

Did you know that receiving an informed speech evaluation is an invaluable part of developing public speaking competence and confidence?

Even though it might seem scary to ask for, and then to receive, specific suggestions and comments about what you've done, how else do you learn what worked and what needs further refinement?

If you want to move forward, to improve your presentation skills, receiving, and giving, good feedback is vital.

Use this page to find out more

If you want informative feedback and you're not a member of a public speaking club, this page is for you.

You'll find out how a speech is formally assessed:

the aspects/areas focused on in an evaluation,
the 5-point sliding scale used to rate performance ,
how to get a meaningful speech evaluation ,
how to use an evaluation to improve your performance
and there's a printable public speaking evaluation form to download.

What is a good speech evaluation?

And how do you get one.

Image: retro cartoon of woman thinking. Text: How to give useful evaluations

Unfortunately there are few situations outside of specialist public speaking programs, like those in schools, or clubs like Toastmasters International , where you can get a thorough and useful speech evaluation.

Despite the ability to present well being recognized as a desirable skill it's seldom encouraged with careful, thoughtful feedback. Often the most you can hope for is a generalized " It was OK ", " Great ", or the dreaded: " Mmm, perhaps we'll give xxx a turn next time " type of comment.

Nice or nasty, it doesn't tell you anything useful.

What is rated in a speech evaluation?

The areas most commonly focused on are:

Speech evaluation - the areas rated -button

Did it capture attention & interest?
Was the topic introduced clearly?
Was the topic related to the audience?
Did the speaker have topic-credibility?
Was the body of the speech previewed?
Were the main points clear?
Were the main points supported?
Were the main points logically presented?
Were the transitions between main points clear & effective?
Was the transition to the end of the speech signaled?
Was there a summary of principal points?
Was there an effective close and/or call to action?
Was the language used appropriate for the topic & the audience
Was the language varied?
Were the notes, visual aids etc. organized before the start?
Was the beginning poised?
Was there good use of eye contact?
Was the body language (posture & gesture) controlled & effective?
Was the speaking rate flexible & effective?
Was the speaking volume appropriate & varied?
Was there fluency, an absence of fillers like 'ahs' & 'ums'?
Was vocal variety used, changes in pitch & tone, & good use of pausing?
Did the speaker show enthusiasm for the topic?
Were there visual aids & were they appropriate & integrated into the speech?
Did the speech finish with poise?

Overall evaluation

Did the speaker achieve the assignment's purpose?
Was the topic researched?
Did the topic adapt well to the audience?
Were the audience interested?
Was the speech completed within the time limit?

How are these areas/aspects rated?

In a formal speech evaluation , such as one done by a teacher in a high school public speaking class, variations on a sliding scale are used.

The most common is a 5 point scale :

P (poor)
F (fair)
A (average)
G (good)
E (excellent)

You can see this scale in use on the downloadable public speaking evaluation form available from the link at the foot of the page.

The person doing the rating will actively listen and watch the speech evaluating each element.

The final assessment will generally show a range (up and down the scale) over most of the aspects. Therefore a speech can be seen to be 'good' in some areas, 'excellent' in others and perhaps 'fair' in one or two.

Getting a thorough speech evaluation

If you're not in a public speaking class or a member of an organization like Toastmasters International and the people you work with don't provide criteria-based feedback you have two options.

find a class or a Toastmasters group in your area.
organize your own feedback givers using the information outlined above with the suggestions below.

Organizing you own speech evaluators

Speech evaluation - organizing evaluators button

Ask a person whose judgement and maturity you respect whether they'll accept the role, and be present at your next speech or presentation. Perhaps you can team up with them and trade evaluations taking turn about.
Download and print off several copies of the speech evaluation form.
Go through the form with your evaluator explaining the process. Highlight any areas you particularly want noticed.
Establish how you want the rating scale interpreted. A good way to set the benchmark is to listen to an excellent speaker. You could choose one from here: The Top 100 American Speeches
Have your evaluator listen to your speech and provide feedback before you give it in front of an audience. This will provide a foundation for their comments when they complete your speech evaluation 'proper'.

Working with your speech evaluation

You've got your evaluation. Now what do you with it?

Go through it with your evaluator. Bear in mind before you do:

that an evaluation is an opinion. At best it is an informed one with knowledge and experience behind it. If you find areas you disagree over, do try and understand them from the evaluator's point of view. Often what we think we do and what we actually do are two completely different things.
that a poor or fair rating represents an opportunity to develop rather than a reason to give up public speaking.

Use the ratings as a guide on where to focus your energy.

For example, if you're rated well on the delivery items but have fallen on the content, (introduction, body, conclusion), you know that for your next speech you'll spend the bulk of your preparation time organizing your content.

Keep your completed speech evaluation forms. It's great to be able to refer back to them to see how far you've come and it's interesting to compare how different evaluators pick up on different aspects to comment on.

Toastmasters International

For more information on the importance of evaluations and the role they play in improving public speaking skills visit Toastmasters International - Effective Evaluation .

I got my first really helpful feedback once I joined Toastmasters. It didn't happen as part of my teacher training, which is extraordinary given that teaching IS presentation.

Neither was it part of other work places I got to know.

Good presentation skills are not innate. Like other skills they need to be learned. Giving and receiving evaluations will speed your progress.

Download a printable speech evaluation form

It's simple to use & suitable for:

students wanting to know more about the assessment criteria for their prepared speeches
anybody wanting structured feedback on their public speaking.

The form lists all the important elements that collectively make a successful speech alongside a 5 point rating scale. Download the speech evaluation form

Do you want to know more about planning, writing and rehearsing speeches?

Here's a sample speech outline page. It has a handy downloadable blank speech outline form ready and waiting for your notes.
You'll find more about planning your speech here. This page takes you through the sequence of planning decisions and shows you how they are guided by knowledge of your audience.
When you've done all your planning you can find out about how to write your speech
And then it's fun time. Find out how to rehearse. Yes, practice does make perfect!
Return to top of the speech evaluation page

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Crafting Insightful Evaluation Essay: Tips and Techniques

Table of contents

1 Defining Evaluation Essays
2 Choose a Subject for Evaluation
3 Develop a Clear Thesis Statement
4 Gather Information and Evidence
5 Establish Evaluation Criteria
6 Organize Your Essay
7 Write the Introduction
8 Write the Body of The Essay
9 Present Evidence and Examples
10 Address Counterarguments
11 Write The Conclusion
12 Revise and Edit
13.1 Easy Evaluation Essay Topics
13.2 Evaluation Essay Topics on History
13.3 Evaluation Essay Topics on Government and Law
13.4 Evaluation Essay Topics on Technology
14 Final Words & Expert Thoughts

Many students are required to write an evaluation essay during their academic career. While this task is challenging, it provides an opportunity for deeper learning. We believe that every student should understand how to write an evaluation essay to succeed with their coursework.

We’ll start by demystifying what an evaluation essay is. We’ll outline its purpose in academic settings, highlighting how it differs from other essay types and why it’s a valuable tool for critical thinking and analysis.
We’ll provide insights on how to choose a subject that is both interesting and suitable for evaluation.
A well-organized essay is the key to success. In our article, we will break down the structure of an evaluation essay.

Examples for Clarity: Finally, we’ll provide examples of successful evaluation essays. These samples will illustrate the principles discussed and offer practical insights into what makes an effective evaluation essay.

Defining Evaluation Essays

Evaluation essays are a type of academic writing that provides value, quality, and effectiveness of a given topic. Every student must follow set criteria and provide evidence supporting their opinion.

Furthermore, an evaluation essay should always present facts and opinions in a clear and formal tone. Of course, any student can buy a custom essay , but every student should know how to plan and write one correctly for success. The first step is to choose a subject.

When it comes to choosing a subject for an evaluation paper, students have many options to choose from.

This includes:

Movies & television shows
Performance of sports teams
Restaurant review
Comparisons

Choose a Subject for Evaluation

If you’re looking for ideas, consider pulling inspiration from your experiences or interests. You can also get ideas from current events and media.

Moreover, once you begin brainstorming ideas, you should narrow your options to choose the best topic. Ideally, you should choose a subject that’s equally interesting and suitable for evaluation. Start by reviewing topic ideas related to your main area of study.

Compare different ideas that interest you. Start asking questions that your target audience would have on your subject. Narrow your choice to what you believe would be the most interesting to study and write about.

In addition, some examples that would make an interesting evaluation subject include:

Learning on campus vs online learning
Your evaluation of the most recent movie or television show you’ve watched
How social media affects modern relationships
Availability of athletic programs in your area
Comparison of restaurants or coffee shops in your area

Develop a Clear Thesis Statement

Every evaluation essay needs a thesis statement. In this statement, the writer will cover evaluation criteria and an overall judgment. It’s essential that the purpose of the evaluation is clearly stated.

First, be specific by keeping the thesis statement short and sweet. It doesn’t need to be a paragraph filled with real-life information. Instead, it should be a concise sentence encouraging the reader to continue reading. Here are some excellent examples of thesis statements:

“This cafe brews coffee beans provided by a local source, and they became popular for having the largest selection of latte flavors in the city.”
“The gore and effects in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie may be outdated, but the tension and horror in the film still hold up for today’s audience.”
“Minecraft continues to be one of the best-selling video games because players enjoy the creative freedom they have in the open world and connecting with other players online.”

Gather Information and Evidence

An important step of evaluation essays is to gather information and evidence. You will want as much information and relevant examples as possible to support your essay.

In any case, experienced writers will provide as many sources as they can find to support their argument. This helps the writer establish credibility and also helps the reader discover where they can find more information on the topic.

So, you might be wondering what type of sources you can use for crafting an evaluation paper. Students may use any of the following sources to provide evidence for their evaluation:

Books: choose books that have been written by experts on the subject that you’re evaluating.
Online resources: students can find credible information online from reputable sources and government websites.
Magazines and newspapers — print media is an excellent source to use for current events and opinions.
Interviews: you can interview an expert in the field your essay is in. This includes in-person, over-the-phone, email, or live chat interviews.
Opinions from credible sources: these opinions can be accessed using any of the sources listed above.

Establish Evaluation Criteria

Every writer must follow set criteria to write an interesting and well-structured essay. As mentioned above, the thesis statement is significant. This is because it’s a clear and descriptive way to present the topic.

Finally, every good evaluation essay must include the following specific criteria:

Assertion of the writer’s overall judgment based on supporting evidence.
Responses to counterarguments that a reader could make on the evaluation. The writer should introduce a balanced argument so their judgment makes sense to readers.

Organize Your Essay

Another crucial aspect of evaluation criteria is to display a well-structured essay. Before writing an evaluation essay, you should always plan the organization.

The entire outline for the essay should remain focused. Once complete, the final evaluation paper should be organized, developed, and maintained a specific style. Every paper should include the following in a detailed evaluation essay outline:

Introduction: introduce your subject with a topic sentence that grabs readers’ attention and inspires them to keep reading.
Body: this will contain all of the key information that supports your evaluative argument and counterarguments.

Conclusion: this is where you can summarize the key points made throughout the evaluation essay and add any other relevant points.

Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first impression of your essay. Every paragraph of the essay should start with a topic sentence that introduces what the essay will be about. Always aim to write a topic sentence that’s engaging so the reader immediately establishes interest.

Basically, every student should aim to craft an attention-grabbing hook that sparks the reader’s interest. Here are a few good evaluation essay introduction example topic sentences for your evaluative essay:

One of the growing concerns of parents in recent years is the effects of social media on their teen’s mental health.
The quality of customer service a patron receives in restaurants and retail establishments is a crucial factor in their experience.
Older films get lost on the younger generation for outdated graphics and dialogue, but many of them address topics that are very relevant to today’s society.

Evidently, we understand that crafting a good introduction can be intimidating. The intro can make or break the reader’s interest. Some ways to make your introduction effective are by stating an exciting or unknown fact, asking a rhetorical question, or mentioning an interesting story about the subject.

Write the Body of The Essay

The body paragraphs of your evaluative essay hold the most weight. After all, this is where you will present your opinions and facts. All the information you provide in this section must be relevant to your topic.

Basically, it must be presented in a structured manner. The main body should always include proper sentence structure, have a readable flow, and include all information and examples necessary to support your final judgment. It’s also important to use language that will convey your point formally and professionally.

Present Evidence and Examples

Anyone can write an evaluated essay. If you want people to take your evaluation essay seriously, you must demonstrate evidence for every point. You can use example quotes from reputable sources or citations to reference where you found the information for your analysis.

Additionally, you must cite sources for evaluation criteria to avoid accusations of plagiarism. An excellent tip for writing essays is to create a body paragraph that’s a block quote.

By directly quoting the author (or source), you avoid any errors that could be mistaken for plagiarism. A direct quote can also give your evaluation more value in the middle of a body paragraph, and also be used to support the writer’s opinion.

Address Counterarguments

An evaluation essay is different from an argumentative essay . When you’re writing an evaluation essay, you will not be required to include counterarguments in the evaluative thesis of the essay. However, it is a good idea for students to acknowledge different perspectives or criticisms of their topic.

In any case, one of the best ways to approach a counterargument is to provide an example of a common critic. Then, explain why that perspective is or isn’t valid to the opinion the student covered in their essay.

Write The Conclusion

The conclusion is the final area of the evaluation essay, where students can summarize their analysis and provide additional facts supporting their judgment.

Every good evaluation argument essay will answer all the reader’s questions on the subject before they reach the final sentence. The best way to do this is to make the conclusion restate the main ideas by presenting the key takeaways and wrapping the concluding paragraph with a secure closure on the research subject.

Revise and Edit

Once you have completed the evaluative writing process, you must revise and edit it before submitting it. This is how you can ensure your paper is of good quality and your opinion is clearly stated and backed up.

But before you review your work, it’s always good to give yourself a break. If you review the paper immediately after writing it, your brain might not pick up on typos and mistakes. By giving yourself a break, you can return and proofread it in a clear frame of mind.

When you proofread the evaluation essay, there are a few aspects that are critical for revision. You should always review the sentence structure, spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage in your essay. You should also check to ensure you used appropriate font, and headers and the essay is double-spaced.

Good Evaluation Essay Topics List

These subjects will encourage college and high school students, as well as professional writers, to critically evaluate present culture. These themes not only teach students important critical thinking skills, but also demonstrate how students influence and contribute to general knowledge.

Race and Ethnicity in the United States
Hitler was influential, determined, and strategic
Importance of Sex Education
Brown v. Board: Lgal Changes in Respect to Segregation
Martin Luther King and the fight against racism in the US
Industrialization and imperialism
Starbucks Found in a Crisis
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
The Apparel Industry in the U.S.
France: New Gender Equality Obligations Established

Easy Evaluation Essay Topics

Here is a list of handpicked good literature topics that will ignite your curiosity and engage your critical thinking skills. These easy topics cover a wide range of subjects and are just a few clicks away from inspiring your next masterpiece.

How Do You Define Racism?
Homeschooling vs Public School
The Book is Composed of Two Sections
Edgar Allan Poe in Romantic Literature
Gerard Jones’ Biased Evaluation of Violence in Media
Self Evaluation and Supervision
Marriage in a World
Climate Change Training Course
The Importance of Evaluation in Counseling
Animal Welfare, Chickens: Factory or Field

Evaluation Essay Topics on History

There are several historical evaluation essay ideas to consider. They vary from major events that affected our global culture to examining the historical veracity of “saving private Ryan.” These topics will intrigue you and give plenty of writing possibilities:

John F. Kennedy’s Legacy
Barack Obama’s Inaugural Speech
Main Issues Of Border Wall
After Civil Rights: Racial Realism in the New American Workplace
Cold War in China, Cold War in Cuba, and Space Race
Progressing the Civil Rights Movement with Aristotle’s Artistic Appeals
China-Australia Free Trade Agreement
What was the Harlem Renaissance?
Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War Summary
Mark Antony’s Described Julius Caesar

Evaluation Essay Topics on Government and Law

These topics cover the key characteristics of how we interact with society and the law. They also explore government and law by examining political marketing strategies on how some particular laws affect social behavior.

Brown V. Board of Education and Civil Rights
Criminal Profiling
The Significance of the Gettysburg Address
Race Relations have Improved in America
Temporary Labor Migrants
The Electoral College and How Popular Vote Doesn’t Matter
Jeffersonian Democracy
Granada Hills Charter High School
Transgender Individuals in the Military
The Segregation of Schools in the United States

Evaluation Essay Topics on Technology

As we delve into technological evaluation essay topics, you can choose to examine the merits, drawbacks, and overall impact of technological advancements. From artificial intelligence to social media, we have a plethora of ideas to explore.

Social Media Marketing As A Way To Promote Business
Pros And Cons Of Virtual Reality Gaming.
Assessing Online Clothes Shop For Its Contribution To The Fashion Sector
Evaluation of the Process of Creating Computer-Generated Graphics In Contemporary Art.
Technology’s Role In Healthcare.
Cybersecurity Measures’ Effectiveness.
The Culture Wars in the Digital Age: Impact of Technology on Cultural Values.
Ai’s Role In Job Automation.
Impact Of Biometric Technology On Privacy.
How The Internet Changed Communication Patterns In Online Interactions.

Final Words & Expert Thoughts

This covers everything you need to know about writing an evaluation essay. The format we discussed today can help students create a detailed analysis of the subject they’re researching while providing an educated opinion. Following proper instructions for evaluation essay criteria can help you write a detailed paper that will impress your instructor (and yourself).

Additionally, if you’re not 100% sure how to start or finish your paper, look at an evaluation argument essay example online. Don’t copy the examples, but use them for inspiration to get your thoughts flowing.

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Speech Analysis #4: Evaluation Forms, Tools, and Resources

This article provides a speech evaluation form and explains how it supports you in studying and evaluating speeches.

How to Study and Critique a Speech
The Art of Delivering Evaluations
Modified Sandwich Technique for Evaluations
Evaluation Forms, Tools, and Resources
Toastmasters Evaluation Contests

Speech Evaluation Form

First things first… download a copy of the free speech evaluation form .

I created this form for use in Toastmasters Evaluation Contests (a topic of a future article here), but I have since used it as a general purpose speech evaluation template.

Why this speech evaluation tool may work for you…

It is simple — one single-sided page.
Lots of white space , to facilitate taking notes.
Flexible . The labels and boxes are not tied to any particular style of speech, e.g. speaking to inform
Rows recognize the three broad areas to be analyzed: impact, content, and delivery . These are in order of importance from top to bottom.
The critical nature of the Opening and Closing is recognized with dedicated rows on the form.
Two columns emphasize the necessity to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of a speech or speaker.
Evaluation Opening and Evaluation Summation are for notes which lead to an oral evaluation (e.g. in Toastmasters). They can be ignored if you are analyzing the speech in a different context.

An alternate speech evaluation template…

It is wonderfully simple , consisting of just two rows (Content, Delivery) and three columns (I felt, I saw, I heard). “Content – I Saw” might include things like props or slideware, while “Delivery – I Saw” might cover gestures or facial expressions. This template allowed him to effectively analyze the speech his way.

I strongly encourage you to develop a template that works for you. Maybe the examples here are perfect. Maybe they need a tweak. Maybe you need something entirely different as an aid to capture your thoughts and observations. Whatever the case, an evaluation template can help you.

Critiquing a Speech: Advice from the Blogosphere and Beyond

There’s some great advice elsewhere in the public speaking blogosphere and elsewhere on speech evaluation:

How to Give a Killer Evaluation : lifehack.org
Speech Self Critique Guide : Navy Speakers Bureau
Evaluation Resources from Toastmasters New Zealand Includes “step-by-step approach” to speech evaluation, 10 steps to becoming an evaluation champion.
Evaluation Template – Wendy Betteridge (PDF)
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Evaluators: Dr. Dilip Abayasekera, former Toastmasters International President

Next in the Speech Analysis Series

The next article in the series is Toastmasters Evaluation Contests .

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Extremely great helpful tips Andrew

Time and time again I find myself at your site for help on my toastmasters path. Keep up the great work! I really do appreciate the work you do.

Awesome speech evaluation form. I used it at the division level of the evaluation competition and won. I segregated your areas into 3 categories – content, delivery and presence. It made a world of difference.

Thanks for sharing.

found this very helpful in preparation and practice for an english exam, thanks~

this is an excellent evaluation form. It is concise, yet flexible. I will be using it for my Advanced Toastmasters Club. thank you for making this available to others.

Hi Andrew, Your website is very informative and helpful. Just want to let you know the link below in this article does not work. ■Evaluation Template – Wendy Betteridge [PDF] Joshua

Thanks for letting me know, Joshua. I have replaced the link with an alternate resource.

Might you have a copy of the free speech evaluation form found in part 4 in pdf format to forward to me? Somehow, I am unable to download the form.

Suzanne Bleau-Myrand Club #5310, Area 54, Div F, District 61

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How to Write an Evaluation Essay – A Complete Guide

By: Angelina Grin

Writing an evaluation essay requires an individual to invest time in research. Still, an overall evaluation essay outline template helps the student to complete their work faster since the ideas are already in place. Take a look at what you need to have in place before and during the essay writing process.

Come up with an argument for your judgement

Capture their interest, give a brief history, restate the thesis statement, give a verdict, show the evaluation essay template outline, give an evaluation of the topic, write using a specific evaluation criterion, close with a conclusion, what is an evaluation essay, topic/title, thesis statement, introduction, argument/body, select a topic, think of a thesis statement, choose your topic’s outcome, find material that will support your argument, identify your topic, state the most critical point, give supporting information, offer opposing opinions to your stand, how to conclude an evaluation essay, connecting the conclusion to the introduction, writing tips for evaluation essays, how to choose a topic, useful tips, "formula" for a perfect evaluation essay, how many paragraphs is an evaluative essay, what is an evaluative thesis, how long should an evaluative essay be, what are the three methods of evaluation, how long should the topic be.

Determining what you want to write about is the first step to a successful evaluation paper. Asking yourself a few questions will make your work easier when picking an argument. For instance, do you want to write about the positive or negative aspects, or are you interested in combining both ideas to evaluate the effects of a particular item? Whether you are writing evaluation essays on a service, a product, or an academic subject, you need to pick a side and run with the idea.

Determine the introduction to your essay

An evaluation essay introduction is the first part of the document highlighting your evaluation essay structure in a few paragraphs. Of course, the length of this section is sorely dependent on your paper’s size, so you have to mince or increase the words to fit your requirements. In the introduction, ensure that you address the following sections:

Begin the evaluation using a catchy introduction to capture your reader’s interest. A question, statement, or use of facts can work here. However, you are free to use whatever starting point that is likely to lure them into wanting to read more about your document.

Writing a brief background about your evaluative essay topic is critical since it allows the reader to understand your reason for selecting it. And while writing a bit of its origin is vital, keep in mind that you do not want to bore the reader with long texts about history.

Pick snippets about the topic’s history that will give your evaluation essay meaning. Keep in mind that what you choose to write in the background section depends on the angle you will be writing on. It will come in handy in determining what historical moments you want to highlight.

Remind your reader what your essay evaluation entails by restating your evaluative essay thesis statement . This brings the paper into perspective, especially since losing the reader in the background section can be easy.

While you cannot go into in-depth verdict provision in this section, you must show the reader what angle you will take and your findings. It helps them know that you put your back into the work and that the document is well researched.

An evaluation essay format is a structure that allows the reader to know your flow of ideas. Rather than delve blindly into the paper, it can be helpful to give an overview of the essay evaluation. Highlighting the significant sections of the document works okay.

Giving a detailed background of the topic helps bring the ideas into perspective. Unlike in the introduction, you can explore more into the history at this stage. However, you have to balance the older and newer history details, which will help make the paper relatable to the present.

Once you are sure your reader has an idea of why you are interested in tackling the issue at hand, you can delve into giving an evaluation of the subject. First, you need to master how to write an evaluation paragraph. To write an appealing evaluation paragraph, keep the paragraphs short and factual. Ensure that they introduce something new to the reader. While at it, make sure that you explain each point that you present to the reader.

Remember that a good evaluation is objective. You have to present both sides of the issue before giving a verdict. Compare the strengths, weaknesses, pros, and cons of your idea. Then, support your comparisons with analytical arguments.

Selecting an evaluative essay example depends on your objective for writing the evaluation essay. The available options when it comes to criteria selection are:

Argumentative – Such essays require detailed research and supporting data regarding your stand. Argumentative essays aim to persuade the reader to agree with your point of view.
Narrative – These are the type of essays whose aim is to inform the reader without necessarily trying to persuade them into agreeing with your opinions.
Expository – These documents solely discuss problems and offer solutions to the issues they address.
Descriptive – Such evaluative essays describe attributes of objects, services, people, and places.

Ensure that you round up the essay in an orderly manner at the end. Include the main ideas addressed in the paper. The idea is to ensure that the person reading your work understands the questions and can see the connection to the answers you provided throughout the text.

Provide a reference list

All scholarly material requires citation. See that you list all the sources you used in your document using the proper format.

In a nutshell, an evaluation essay definition is a scholarly text that provides an in-depth analysis of a particular subject. For a scholar to write an excellent essay successfully, they need to use an evaluation essay example that makes it easier to work on their project.

As part of the requirements for writing meaningful evaluation essays, the writer has to use facts and evidence to support their argument. The paper comprises several components that address a particular aspect of your discussion. When you finally combine these subheadings, they bring cohesion to your penned ideas. Now that you know what is an evaluative essay, let’s look at its outline.

Evaluation Paper Outline

An evaluation paper outline is a skeletal structure that brings to light the most significant aspect of the essay. The significance of an evaluative essay structure is to help the writer have an easy time jotting down their points.

It helps them write their ideas in order, thereby keeping the paper well-thought-out. Also, it plays a critical role in assisting the reader in knowing what they expect to find in the document. The checklist below outlines the most vital aspects of an evaluation essay outline .

The title is the heading that explains what your document entails, to the reader.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up what your evaluative essay contains. Scholars recommend that you have a thesis statement not longer than three lines as your evaluative thesis statement. It should have supporting information from credible sources for it to hold water. It should only highlight what you will cover in the paper and should not be generalized. If coming up with a thesis statement becomes tasking, you can always look at evaluative thesis example statements written by other scholars to have an idea of how to go about it.

An evaluation essay introduction carries the weight of the paper since it lets the reader understand the importance of the piece you’re working on. A thesis statement that answers your question is also part of this segment. Finally, it addresses the main points that your audience expects to find in your evaluative essay outline.

When writing the body of an evaluation essay, it is vital to include all the supporting points that give meaning to the topic. Using sources in line with your discussion provides a great building point for your argument.

Evaluation essay conclusions wrap the text. Here, you can give recommendations and state your stand regarding the topic.

How do You Start an Evaluation Essay

So, are you wondering how to start an evaluation essay? Well, starting an evaluation essay entails a lot of research and comprehension. However, before you get to that stage, you have to put down your paper’s general flow, which will make it easier to complete the essay. You need to:

Without a topic, you cannot come up with an argument. So, you should pick a topic that aligns with your education major or a subject that you are passionate about. When choosing a heading, ensure it is not overly general since it can become tasking to find supporting material for the topic. Narrow the idea to a specific topic.

A thesis statement is a sentence that captures the essence of your subject. Anyone reading your thesis statement should understand what problem you aim to address and a hint of solutions that you want to offer.

What do you intend to achieve at the end of the discussion? Do you want to inform your reader about a problem within a particular niche, or do you want to give solutions to the issues you discuss in the paper? Stating this enables the reader to know to which extent your evaluation paper is researched.

The final step is to find material that will help you give body to your paper. Because evaluation essays are scholarly, choosing documents within the same realm enables you to create a credible piece. Books, journal articles, educational reports, and government information are the primary sources that you can use as sources of information for your paper.

How to Write a Thesis Statement for an Evaluation Essay

The beauty of an effective thesis statement is in its ability to sum all your points in a few sentences without losing meaning. Using your evaluative essay statement should also only address the issues you want to tackle. Here are the tips you can use to draft an effective thesis for evaluation essay.

Your topic should be part of the thesis statement, as it will help you formulate an all-round approach that will address the main ideas you would like to tackle.

Planting trees to reverse the effects of environmental degradation is an evaluation paper example topic idea you can use.

The primary question you should answer when thinking of the central issue in your topic is, what is the gist of your heading? If you have to keep one part about the subject, what would it be?

If you answer this question, you have a central idea that you can add to the thesis. You can add to the thesis statement if you have more main ideas. But, be careful not to make it too long as it will influence how much work you will put into research and data compiling.

Reversing the effects of environmental degradation is a vital aspect of the topic that can equally address the problem in my subject. So, our main idea can be, “humans should take steps to clean the environment.”

With a central idea, find supporting information that will give logic to the statement. Keep in mind that all your data should be verifiable and credible. Also, you have to provide several points that support your core point. This is essential in formulating a comprehensive thesis statement.

In this case, why is it important to clean the environment? We can say its effects are detrimental to human health.

While this is not necessary, providing an opposing point of view enables you to cover all aspects of the topic and address loopholes that anyone contrary to your opinion can use to discredit your work.

People can find the task of planting trees to be too involving, especially since it requires a lot of commitment. So, we can give a counter opinion such as, “Planting trees is a tedious task.”

Once you have all these bits in place, write them down orderly, and you have a thesis statement to work with.

Our thesis statement looks like this, “While planting trees is a tedious task, each person should try to plant at least ten trees each year to counter environmental degradation and its effects on health.”

Remember, writing evaluation paper thesis can be tasking at first, so perusing through a sample or good evaluation essay examples written by another scholar can help make your work easier.

Evaluative Essay Formatting

Students have to use particular writing styles or formats accepted in their institution when it comes to educational essays. Some universities and colleges utilize more than one writing format, especially if it is a school with several departments.

Several writing formats rule the academic realm. However, only a few make it to the list of useful ones. These are:

Also known as the American Psychological Association citation, APA is mainly used for scientific work. If this is your desired formatting style, you have to.”

Use New Times Roman in size 12.
Double-space all your work and add the page number at the top right side of the header on each sheet.
Observe the provision of a one-inch margin around each page.
At the top left side of each page, include a shortened title.
List all your sources on the reference page as “References.”

Schools of humanities are synonymous with using this formatting style . If you opt for this style, here are the standard rules you have to adhere to.

Your title should be at the centre of the page.
Use New Times Romans in size 12 as your font.
Use double spacing (2.0) throughout your text. Additionally, make sure that there aren’t any extra spaces in between body paragraphs.
Keep a one-inch margin all around each sheet.
Use the tab key for any indention within your document.
Your last name and page number have to appear on each header.
The reference page should be titled “Worked Cited.”

In most institutions, Chicago is the style used when writing essays and making term papers . This formatting style is synonymous with particular footnotes and a distinct citation format. An evaluation essay cited in Chicago should:

Have a one-inch margin on all sides of the paper.
Use New Times Romans as the primary font throughout the text.
Place all page numbers on the top right corner of the header.
Include it in the footnote if a page has any citations or paraphrased information.
All sources should be listed on the Bibliography page at the end and in alphabetical order.
Observe double spacing in the document.

Aside from using these citation formats, you also have to keep your document neat. More extended evaluative essay structures require more breakdowns to make the text readable. Several subtopics, bullet points, numbering, and shorter paragraphs make the information easier to chew.

An evaluation essay conclusion wraps up the ideas in a few paragraphs or pages, depending on your essay’s length. Knowing how to write a conclusion for an evaluation essay could make the difference in your paper. Therefore, it is vital to restate your thesis statement, which will pull your thoughts together and offer a strong finishing point.

A summary of the key arguments and reaffirmation of the main question is the primary and most critical bits of a conclusion. Keep this section of the evaluative essay short and factual. Only reaffirm facts that you have in your text. Introducing any new concepts at this point is unadvisable. A perfect summary should:

Write the importance of your argument if you already haven’t done so in the text. You can also use this chance to summarize the recommendations you propose. Be keen not to retell what is already in the paper but take a stand and make it clear.

Linking the end to the beginning is a critical way of summing your ideas and making sense of the paper. The table below illustrates how you can tie in conclusion to the opening.


Story’s shell	Complete the story
Describe the perks and demerits of an object	Are the perks vs cons approach the best judgment for this criterion?
Show a person interested in a particular object/service.	Would you recommend this to anyone based on your reading?
Give an account of a story or subject	Offer your opinion on the subject
Talk about an artist or musician	How is their performance compared to others in the same niche?
Talk about a thing that people appreciate	Should you agree with the majority
Express your expectations prior to seeing something	Were your expectations met?

Essay writing can be tasking, even for gurus who have been done it severally. Pulling all the ideas together while remaining relevant is one of the most challenging jobs. However, you can use the following tips to make your work easier and the paper worth reading.

Make points that justify your argument – You do not want to end up with a confusing essay. Refer to your thesis statement to ensure you stay on course.
Keep the text exciting if you want to garner your audience’s attention.
Proofread your work as many times as possible to eliminate any grammar or punctuation errors.
Use the recommended citation format to be on the safe side.
Ensure that the review covers more than 2/3 of your paper.
Your judgment should be evident throughout the document, with supporting data.

Selecting a topic can be tricky, especially with so much scholarly work published every day. However, you can use a variety of criteria to help you draft a unique topic. Here is what you should do.

Stay away from headings that will lure you into summarizing the topic more than discussing and analysing.
Select a topic that you will enjoy.
Settle for one that has enough scholarly material published for reference purposes.
Pick a title that’s appropriate for your essay’s length.

Aside from what you already know, you can utilize the following writing tips to make your writing smoother.

Make your topic unique.
Do not be wordy.
Use facts throughout the essay.
Do not shy away from starting over if the topic gets too complicated.
Ask for help if you get stuck along the way.
Read enough material to give you a comprehensive grasp of the topic you want to discuss.

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Writing the Evaluation Essay

This is a Google doc with multiple steps and resources to walk students through the writing process for an Evaluation Essay

In this tutorial, you will walk through instruction and writing steps that will lead you to an Evaluation Essay. Please make a copy of this document (File>Make Copy) and complete all of the steps below:

3 pages, double spaced (750 words)MLA FormatSee your course and fill in your due dates
Prewriting Check (Week 6)	Due Date:
Draft Due to Peer Editing Form (Week 7)	Due Dates (there are 2 due dates):
Final Draft (Week 8)	Due Date:

Sometimes it’s nice to know how your paper will be graded before you start writing. Here are the key features of a well-written paper about a film of your choosing.

From Norton Field Guide chapter 16

You should include just enough information to let readers who may not be familiar with your subject understand what it is; the goal is to evaluate, not summarize. Depending on your topic and medium, some of this information may be in visual or audio form. Describe the main plot points of a movie, only providing what readers need to understand the context of your evaluation

You need to determine clear criteria as the basis for your judgment. In reviews or other evaluations written for a broad audience, you can integrate the criteria into the discussion as reasons for your assessment. In more formal evaluations, you may need to announce your criteria explicitly. For instance, you could evaluate a film based on stars’ performances, the complexity of their characters, and the film’s coherence. There are lots of other criteria to choose from, depending on your film choice.

To evaluate something credibly, you need to show that you know it yourself and that you understand its context. Cite many examples showing your knowledge of the film. Some evaluations require that you research what other authoritative sources have said about your subject. You are welcome to refer to other film reviews to show you have researched other views, but your review should be your own

An evaluation is centered on a judgment. You can point out both its weaknesses and strengths. It is important that any judgment be balanced and fair. Seldom is something all good or all bad. A fair evaluation need not be all positive or all negative; it may acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses. For example, a movie’s soundtrack may be wonderful while the plot is not.

You need to argue for your judgment, providing reasons and evidence that might include visual and audio as well as verbal material. Support your reasons with several specific examples from the film.

Step 1: Choosing a Topic

For this assignment, you will choose a film you have watched that was meaningful enough to evaluate. It can be one that was meaningful because it changed your perspective, for instance. You are also welcome to choose a film that was critically acclaimed, but you have objections to. Choose something that strikes you as a film worth analyzing and discussing.

What film are you going to evaluate in this essay? Make sure it is one that is accessible to you (you own it, you have checked it out from the library, it’s available through a subscription like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, etc.) You will need to watch it and take detailed notes so that you have specifics, dialogue, etc. to include.

Paste the film’s citation in MLA format in the box below.

Paste your MLA citation here. You will need it later when you write your paper

In the columns below you will generate text. Much of it may be used later as you draft your paper, but don’t worry about that now. Use these exercises to help you get your ideas down.
Freewrite to answer the following questions: What do you know about this subject? What are your initial or gut feelings, and why do you feel as you do? How does this film reflect or affect your basic values or beliefs? How have others evaluated subjects like this?
. Make a list of criteria you think should be used to evaluate your film. Think about which criteria will likely be important to your audience.
Study your film closely to determine to what extent it meets each of your criteria. You may want to list your criteria and take notes related to each one as you watch the film. You may develop a rating scale for each criterion to help stay focused on it. Come up with a tentative judgment. Choose 3-4 criteria to discuss in your essay.
Often, evaluating something involves comparing and contrasting it with similar things. We judge movies in comparison with other movies we’ve seen in a similar genre.
. Your thesis statement should be one that addresses both pros and cons. “Hawaii Five-O is fun to watch despite its stilted dialogue” “Of the five sport utility vehicles tested, the Toyota 4 Runner emerged as the best in comfort, power, and durability, though not in styling or cargo capacity.” Both of these examples offer a judgment but qualify it according to the writer’s criteria. Experiment with thesis statements and highlight one you want to use.
. I think Will Ferrell is a comic genius whose movies are first-rate. You think Will Ferrell is a terrible actor who makes awful movies. How can I write a review of his latest film that you will at least consider? One way is by acknowledging other opinions--and refuting those opinions as best I can. I may not persuade you to see Ferrell’s next film, but I can at least demonstrate that by certain criteria he should be appreciated. You may need to research how others have evaluated your subject.
. Write out all the reasons you can think of that will convince your audience to accept your judgment. Review your list to identify the most convincing or important reasons. Then review how well your subject meets your criteria and decide how best to support your reasons; through examples, authoritative opinions, statistics, visual or audio evidence, or something else.

Below are two different options for organizing your essay. Choose one of them (don’t be afraid to choose something other than chronological!). Click on the image and use the down arrow to open the drawing and fill in the boxes with elements from your story to help you outline your organization

Step 4- Draft

Use this MLA formatted writing template linked HERE to draft out your 3 page (750 word) essay by making a copy and adding your own information. Add a link to your paper in the box below. Make sure it is set so that “Anyone with a link CAN COMMENT” Do this by clicking SHARE in the top right corner. Then click “change” under the “get link” box, and use the down arrow to change so that anyone at MHA can edit.

Step 5: Get Feedback

Submit your draft to . Use feedback to polish your essay. Here is a for paperrater.com

What feedback did you get from paperrater.com? Paste it in this box:

Step 6- Peer Editing

Go back to the course and submit your draft for peer editing. You will post your own draft, then edit two of your peers’ drafts. Read the directions carefully in the Peer Editing Forum.

Step 7: Final Paper

Once you have revised your draft, you will submit your final draft to your teacher in the course. You may also paste the draft below. Make sure it is shared so that anyone from MHA with a link can edit:

Paste in Link:

Link to the Evaluation Essay Google Doc

Evaluation Essay Assignment

Make a copy using File>Make a Copy

19 Evaluation Essays

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.

Five Characteristics of an Evaluative Essay

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.

First, the essay will present the subject . What is being evaluated? Why? The essay begins with the writer giving any details needed about the subject.

Next, the essay needs to provide a judgment about 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.

The body of the essay will contain the criteria used 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.

The evidence of 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
Location–New Braunfels, TX
History–old post office, restored
Type of food
Walking up to the restaurant–cool exterior
Lobby–original post office doors, etc
Tables–great decor–memorabilia from NB history
prompt, courteous service
refills, bread
taking care of complaints–all you can eat lobster out–so price reduced
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.

Time to Write

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
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

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
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
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
Works Cited page has hanging indents and is in alphabetical order by author’s last name

Attribution

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 the Creative 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.

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Essay Papers Writing Online

Ultimate guide on writing an effective evaluation essay – tips, examples, and guidelines.

Are you puzzled when it comes to writing an evaluation essay? In this guide, we will provide you with all the essential information you need to master the art of crafting a compelling appraisal composition. Whether you are new to this type of writing or just looking to refine your skills, this comprehensive manual will equip you with the necessary tools and techniques to excel. From understanding the purpose and structure of an evaluation essay to exploring various tips and examples, this guide has got you covered.

An evaluation essay is a piece of writing that aims to assess the value or quality of a particular subject or phenomenon. It involves analyzing a topic, presenting your judgment or opinion on it, and providing evidence or examples to support your claims. This type of essay requires critical thinking, research, and effective communication skills to present a well-balanced evaluation.

Throughout this guide, we will delve into the nitty-gritty of writing an evaluation essay. We will start by discussing the key elements that make up a successful evaluation essay, such as establishing clear criteria, conducting thorough research, and adopting a structured approach. Additionally, we will explore practical tips and strategies to help you gather relevant information, organize your thoughts, and present a persuasive argument. To illustrate these concepts, we will provide you with a range of examples covering various topics and subjects.

Tips for Writing a Top-Notch Evaluation Essay

When it comes to crafting a high-quality evaluation essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your essay stands out and effectively evaluates the subject matter at hand.

1. Be objective and unbiased: A top-notch evaluation essay should approach the topic with an unbiased and objective perspective. Avoid personal bias or overly emotional language, and instead focus on presenting an honest and well-balanced evaluation of the subject.

2. Provide clear criteria: To effectively evaluate something, it’s important to establish clear criteria or standards by which to assess it. Clearly define the criteria you will be using and explain why these specific factors are essential in evaluating the subject. This will help provide structure to your essay and ensure that your evaluation is thorough and comprehensive.

3. Support your evaluation with evidence: In order to make a convincing argument, it’s crucial to support your evaluation with solid evidence. This can include examples, statistics, expert opinions, or any other relevant information that strengthens your claims. By providing strong evidence, you can enhance the credibility of your evaluation and make it more persuasive.

4. Consider multiple perspectives: A well-rounded evaluation takes into account multiple perspectives on the subject matter. Acknowledge and address counterarguments or differing opinions, and provide thoughtful analysis and reasoning for your stance. This demonstrates critical thinking and a comprehensive evaluation of the topic.

5. Use clear and concise language: Clarity is vital in an evaluation essay. Use clear and concise language to express your thoughts and ideas, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complex vocabulary. Your essay should be accessible to a wide audience and easy to understand, allowing your evaluation to be conveyed effectively.

6. Revise and edit: Don’t neglect the importance of revising and editing your essay. Take the time to review your work and ensure that your evaluation is well-structured, coherent, and error-free. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as these details can greatly impact the overall quality of your essay.

7. Conclude with a strong summary: For a top-notch evaluation essay, it’s important to conclude with a strong and concise summary of your evaluation. Restate your main points and findings, providing a clear and memorable conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

By following these tips, you can enhance your writing skills and create a top-notch evaluation essay that effectively assesses and evaluates the subject matter at hand.

Choose a Relevant and Engaging Topic

When it comes to writing an evaluation essay, one of the most important aspects is selecting a topic that is both relevant and engaging. The topic you choose will determine the focus of your essay and greatly impact the overall quality of your writing. It is crucial to choose a topic that not only interests you but also captivates your audience.

When selecting a topic, consider the subject matter that you are knowledgeable or passionate about. This will enable you to provide a well-informed evaluation and maintain your readers’ interest throughout your essay. Additionally, choose a topic that is relevant in today’s society or has a direct impact on your target audience. This will ensure that your evaluation essay has a practical and meaningful purpose.

Furthermore, it is essential to select a topic that is controversial or debatable. This will allow you to present different perspectives and arguments to support your evaluation. By choosing a topic that sparks discussions and debates, you can engage your readers and encourage them to think critically about the subject matter.

In conclusion, choosing a relevant and engaging topic is crucial for writing an effective evaluation essay. By selecting a topic that interests you, appeals to your readers, and is relevant to society, you can ensure that your essay is engaging and impactful. Remember to choose a topic that is controversial or debatable to provide a comprehensive evaluation and encourage critical thinking among your audience.

Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

Crafting an impactful thesis statement is an essential aspect of writing an evaluation essay. The thesis statement serves as the main argument or claim that you will be supporting throughout your essay. It encapsulates the central idea and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.

When developing your thesis statement, it is crucial to be clear, concise, and specific. It should provide a clear indication of your stance on the subject matter being evaluated while also highlighting the main criteria and evidence that will be discussed in the body paragraphs. A strong thesis statement should be thought-provoking and hook the reader’s attention, compelling them to continue reading.

To build a strong thesis statement, you need to engage in a careful analysis of the topic or subject being evaluated. Consider the various aspects that you will be assessing and select the most significant ones to include in your argument. Your thesis statement should be focused and arguable, allowing for a clear position on the matter.

Additionally, it is crucial to avoid vague or general statements in your thesis. Instead, aim for specificity and clarity. By clearly stating your evaluation criteria, you provide a roadmap for the reader to understand what aspects you will be analyzing and what conclusions you intend to make.

Furthermore, a strong thesis statement should be supported by evidence and examples. You should be able to provide concrete support for your evaluation through relevant facts, statistics, or expert opinions. This strengthens the credibility and persuasiveness of your argument, making your thesis statement more compelling.

In summary, developing a strong thesis statement is a critical step in writing an evaluation essay. It sets the foundation for your argument, guiding your analysis and providing a clear direction for the reader. By being clear, concise, specific, and well-supported, your thesis statement helps you create a persuasive and impactful evaluation essay.

Provide Clear and Concise Criteria for Evaluation

One of the most important aspects of writing an evaluation essay is providing clear and concise criteria for evaluation. In order to effectively evaluate a subject or topic, it is essential to establish specific standards or benchmarks that will be used to assess its performance or quality.

When establishing criteria for evaluation, it is crucial to be thorough yet succinct. Clear criteria enable the reader to understand the basis upon which the evaluation is made, while concise criteria ensure that the evaluation remains focused and impactful.

There are several strategies you can employ to provide clear and concise criteria for evaluation. One approach is to define specific attributes or characteristics that are relevant to the subject being evaluated. For example, if you are evaluating a restaurant, you might establish criteria such as the quality of the food, the level of service, and the ambience of the establishment.

Another strategy is to utilize a scoring system or rating scale to assess the subject. This can help provide a more quantitative evaluation by assigning numerical values to different aspects of the subject. For instance, a movie review might use a rating scale of 1 to 5 to evaluate the acting, plot, and cinematography of the film.

In addition to defining specific attributes or using a scoring system, it is important to provide examples or evidence to support your evaluation. This can help make your criteria more concrete and relatable to the reader. For instance, if you are evaluating a car, you could provide examples of its fuel efficiency, handling performance, and safety features.

Clear Criteria	Concise Criteria
Define specific attributes	Utilize a scoring system
Provide examples or evidence	Ensure focus and impact

By providing clear and concise criteria for evaluation, you can effectively communicate your assessment to the reader and support your conclusions. This will help ensure that your evaluation essay is well-structured, informative, and persuasive.

Support Your Evaluation with Solid Evidence

When writing an evaluation essay, it is crucial to support your evaluations with solid evidence. Without proper evidence, your evaluation may appear weak and unsubstantiated. By providing strong evidence, you can convince your readers of the validity of your evaluation and make a compelling argument.

One effective way to support your evaluation is by using concrete examples. These examples can be specific instances or cases that illustrate the strengths or weaknesses of the subject being evaluated. By presenting real-life examples, you can provide tangible evidence and make your evaluation more persuasive.

Another way to support your evaluation is by referring to expert opinions or research studies. These external sources can add credibility to your evaluation and demonstrate that your assessment is based on sound knowledge and expertise. Citing respected experts or referencing reputable studies can enhance the validity of your evaluation and make it more convincing.

In addition to concrete examples and expert opinions, statistical data can also be a powerful tool for supporting your evaluation. Numbers and statistics can provide objective evidence and strengthen your evaluation by adding a quantitative dimension to your argument. By citing relevant statistics, you can add weight to your evaluations and demonstrate the magnitude of the subject’s strengths or weaknesses.

Furthermore, it is important to consider counterarguments and address them in your evaluation. By acknowledging opposing viewpoints and addressing them effectively, you can strengthen your own evaluation and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject. This approach shows that you have considered different perspectives and have arrived at a well-rounded evaluation.

In conclusion, supporting your evaluation with solid evidence is essential to writing a persuasive evaluation essay. By using concrete examples, expert opinions, statistical data, and addressing counterarguments, you can bolster the validity and strength of your evaluation. Remember to present your evidence clearly and logically, making your evaluation more compelling and convincing to your readers.

Use a Structured Format to Organize Your Essay

When writing an evaluation essay, it is important to use a structured format to organize your thoughts and arguments. This will help you present your ideas in a clear and logical manner, making it easier for your reader to follow along and understand your points. By using a structured format, you can ensure that your essay flows smoothly and effectively communicates your evaluation.

One effective way to structure your evaluation essay is to use a table format. This allows you to present your evaluation criteria and supporting evidence in a concise and organized manner. By using a table, you can easily compare and contrast different aspects of the subject being evaluated, making it easier for your reader to grasp the overall evaluation.

Aspect	Evaluation Criteria	Supporting Evidence
Plot	Engaging and well-developed storyline	Strong character development and unexpected plot twists
Acting	Convincing and compelling performances	Emotional depth and believable portrayal of characters
Visuals	Stunning cinematography and visually appealing scenes	Beautiful set designs and attention to detail

In addition to using a table format, you should also follow a logical structure within each section of your essay. Start with a clear introduction, where you introduce the subject you are evaluating and provide some background information. Then, present your evaluation criteria and explain why these criteria are important for assessing the subject. Next, provide specific examples and evidence to support your evaluation, using the table format as a guide. Finally, end your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your evaluation and reinforces your main points.

By using a structured format, you can effectively organize your evaluation essay and present your ideas in a clear and concise manner. This will make your essay more engaging and persuasive, and help your reader understand and appreciate your evaluation.

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Evaluation Essay

Evaluation Essay - Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

13 min read

What is an Evaluation Essay?

Let’s first understand the evaluation essay meaning, here is the standard definition:

An evaluation essay offers a value judgment or an opinion of something. It presents an overall view of a particular subject’s quality. Moreover, it provides a critical analysis and a complete evaluation of something.

What is the Purpose of an Evaluation Essay?

The main purpose of an evaluation essay is to present an opinion and evaluate a topic critically. This type of writing determines the condition, worth, or significance by careful appraisal and study.

This essay features the writer’s opinion, but when done correctly, it does not sound opinionated. Instead, it provides the facts and evidence to justify the opinions about the essay’s subject.

To write a good evaluation essay, you need to master critical evaluation and present the evaluation in an unbiased manner. You may also discuss both the pros and cons of the subject.

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Evaluation Essay Structure

The four different ways to format and organize the evaluation essay are as follows.

1. Chronological Structure

It is a sequential organization that could be used for evaluating historical or current events. It tells how something works and assesses the effectiveness of a mechanism, procedure, or process.

2. Spatial Structure

The spatial organization structure is used for evaluating or describing art or architecture. Here, you will define one element of the artifact and spatially move to the next.

3. Compare and Contrast Structure

The compare and contrast structure is used to evaluate or review the culinary or music genre. Here the writer evaluates a subject by comprising and contrasting it with the known subject.

4. Point-by-Point Structure

The point-by-point structure is also used for culinary and music reviews. But, in this structure, you describe one element and then evaluate it, describe the second element and evaluate it, and so on.

After setting the criteria and collecting evidence for strengthening your judgment, you’ll start your evaluation essay. Let’s see what are the steps involved in starting an evaluation essay.

How to Start an Evaluation Essay?

When you start writing an evaluation essay, grabbing the reader’s attention is essential. For this, hook the reader from the beginning until the end to ensure that your essay’s opening follows an engaging tone.

Step 1. Choose an Interesting Topic

Deciding the topic and evaluation essay criteria is important. Make sure it's not just compelling and interesting, but also informative so that you can find enough material for a detailed evaluation.

Step 2. Set the Evaluation Essay Criteria

For an evaluation essay, you have to set the criteria for evaluation first. Criteria are the standards or measures by which someone assesses the quality or value of the subject.

Some key points to establish the criteria are:

Identifying relevant aspects that relate to the subject
Defining the criteria clearly so that it is specific and understandable for readers
Your criteria should be directly relevant to the nature of the subject
Always consider the audience’s expectations and standards while setting the criteria
Your thesis statement should always align with your evaluation criteria

Step 3. Collect Evidence for Your Judgment

The author’s judgment of the subject states whether the subject is good or bad. It is an overall assessment or the opinion supported by the evidence. The judgment corresponds to the benchmarks set by the author in the essay criteria.

The evidence is a combination of supporting data and facts. Using the evidence, the author demonstrates how well the subject meets the judgment. The evidence serves as the foundation of your evaluation.

Without providing strong and accurate evidence, you will not be able to convince the readers of your judgment.

Step 4. Decide the Essay Structure

After that, decide on the structure that you want to follow. It can be a chronological or point-by-point structure

Step 5. Craft the Essay Outline

When you create an essay outline , evaluate what should be added and removed. If you skip this step before writing, you may lose track of what to include in your essay while you write.

So, writing an outline for your evaluation essay is a critical step that eases your writing journey.

Here is a sample evaluation essay outline:

Step 6. Declare Your Thesis Statement

For an evaluation essay that keeps the reader hooked from the start, opt for a catchy thesis statement . The thesis should state the main point of the evaluation.

In the thesis statement, you should always express your stance on the subject clearly. In doing so, the readers will have a clear idea about the purpose and direction of your essay.

Now, understand how to write an evaluation essay by following the detailed procedure mentioned below.

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How to Write an Evaluation Essay?

Here is a step-by-step guide for you to write an evaluation essay.

Step 1. Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first impression your readers will have of you, so it's crucial to make a good one. It should capture attention and excite readers, drawing them into what you have to say about this topic.

The following are the elements that you should consider while writing the introduction:

Start with an interesting hook statement so that you can get the reader’s attention.
Provide background information about the topic for the reader to understand the subject
Establish the evaluation essay thesis statement. It sets out the overall purpose of the evaluation, so make sure it is apparent and to the point

Read this evaluation essay introduction example, and you’ll understand exactly what to pen down in yours:

Step 2. Draft the Body Section

The body of the essay consists of three paragraphs. Each paragraph holds different ideas related to one another and flows smoothly from start to finish, just like how a good story should be told.

Here are the important points that must be included in the body paragraphs.

Start with the topic sentence that presents your judgment about the topic
Present the supporting evidence to back up the topic sentence and your viewpoint.
Present a balanced evaluative argument to show impartiality
Compare and contrast the subject to another subject to show the strengths and weaknesses
Present the evaluation from multiple perspectives, while being both positive and critical
Always use transition words between your paragraphs to ensure a smooth and coherent flow for the reader.

Step 3. Write the Conclusion

It is the final chance to convince your reader to agree with your point of view. You’re supposed to summarize and conclude the essay. In the conclusion , you present your final evaluation of the essay.

Keep in mind the following aspects while writing a closing paragraph of an evaluation essay.

Summarize the points and evaluative arguments that you made in the body section.
Justify your thesis statement.
Provide a concrete and secure conclusion to your argument by ultimately leaving the reader convinced by your evaluation.

Step 4. Proofread, Revise, and Edit

The final step is proofreading and editing. Always spend enough time reading your essay carefully. It will help you catch the unintentional mistakes you have made and recover them. If needed, you can also revise your essay 2–3 times.

How to Format Your Evaluation Essay?

For formatting your evaluation essay, follow the standard academic writing guidelines. You can opt for different formatting styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago.

In general, you should stick to the below formatting guidelines:

Font and Size:

Use a legible font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
Choose a standard font size, often 12-point.
Set one-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
Double-space the entire essay, including the title, headings, and body paragraphs.
Create a title for your essay that reflects the subject and purpose of the evaluation.
Center the title on the page.
Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
Include a header with your last name and page number in the top right corner.
Follow the format “Last Name Page Number” (e.g., “Smith 1”).

Citations (if applicable):

Include citations for any sources used in your evaluation.
Follow the citation style specified by your instructor or the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago).

Counterargument (if included):

Clearly label and present any counterargument.
Provide a well-reasoned response to the counterargument.

References or Works Cited Page (if applicable):

Include a separate page for references or a works cited page if your essay includes citations.
List all sources in the appropriate citation style.

Well, the time has come to look at some great evaluation essay examples. Getting help from sample essays is always a great way to perfect your evaluation papers.

Evaluation Essay Examples

Evaluation can be written on any topic, i.e., book, movie, music, etc. Below, we have given some evaluation essay examples for students:

Evaluation Essay Sample PDF

Movie Evaluation Essay Example

Critical evaluation Essay Example PDF

Product Evaluation Essay PDF

Source Evaluation Essay Example PDF

Employee Self-Evaluation Essay Example

How to Start A Self-Evaluation Essay Example PDF

Evaluation Essay Topics For College Students

For writing an amazing evaluation essay, the first thing that you require is an essay topic. Here are some incredible topic ideas for college students. You can use or mold them according to your preference.

Artificial intelligence's impact on society: A double-edged sword?
Evaluate the online teaching and on-campus teaching styles
Analyze and evaluate the Real Madrid football team and their performance
Is media a threat to cultural cohesion or a source of enrichment?
Compare and evaluate recorded music and live performance
Evaluate how a university's football team impacts students' personalities
Critically evaluate a remake of an original movie you have watched recently
Analyze how the roles of females and males changed in recent romantic movies
Evaluate your favorite restaurant, its food, aroma, and everything
Critically evaluate gender disparities in college majors and career choices.

Evaluation Essay vs. Review

At first glance, an evaluation essay might look like a review. But, there are some notable differences between them. See this table to see how both pieces of writing differ from each other.


	Assess and judge based on criteria.	Inform and express personal opinions.
	Analysis, assessment, and judgment.	Personal opinions and subjective responses.
	Formal and objective.	Informal and subjective.
	Specific criteria for assessment.	May include personal preferences.
	Concrete evidence and examples.	Personal anecdotes and impressions.
	Structured with clear organization.	Can be more flexible.
	Persuade based on objective analysis.	Persuade through personal opinions.
	Summarize key points and overall judgment.	Summarize opinions and recommendations.
	May include academic sources.	Primarily reflects personal experiences.
	Varies based on subject complexity.	Varies, from short to longer, based on the platform.

To conclude,

After reading the step-by-step guide and examples, you must have learned the art of writing a good evaluation essay. We’re confident that you’re now able to provide a balanced and effective evaluation of the topics you choose for your essay.

But writing a perfect essay is not that simple; you require a lot of practice and experience to become a good writer. That is why we are here to help you write any type of academic essay.

MyPerfectWords.com is a writing service that offers help for all academic writing assignments. We have a team of professional writers who are experts in writing all types of essays and evaluation papers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the four components of an evaluation essay.

The four components of an evaluation essay are:

Introduction
Background information

2. What are the 4 types of evaluation?

The four types of evaluation are:

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Keep reading

Evaluation Essay

Evaluation essay generator.

Creating an essay is a part of every student’s academic journey. There are different kinds of essays that can be a part of a student writing task. One of these essays is the evaluation essay. What can set apart an evaluation essay from various kinds of academic essays is that it can also be used in different undertakings within the corporate and professional environment. Evaluation essays are not limited to be used for educational purposes as it can also be beneficial in the fields of business, research and community development.

An evaluation essay contains an objective assessment that is written by an individual who should be fully-knowledgeable of what he or she is writing about. More so, this essay relays the sound judgement about a specific subject matter or topic of discussion. Each evaluation essay are based on evaluative writing that are commonly created in accordance to a set of criteria or value measurements. We have curated ten evaluation essays that you can refer to if you want to write your own evaluation essay.

Self-Evaluation Essay Sample

Size: 31 KB

Student Self-Evaluation Essay

Size: 121 KB

Things to Remember When Writing an Evaluation Essay

An evaluation essay should always be direct to the point and specific as it contains factual information that is essential to be known by the readers. To avoid common essay mistakes , some of the things that you should always remind yourself when writing an evaluation essay are listed below.

When writing an evaluation essay, a writer must always be backed up by evidences so that he or she can support the evaluation being made. If you are writing an evaluation essay, you should always be objective with the content that you are presenting. Your opinion matters but you should make sure that it is based on reality. Evaluation essays work best if the readers can identify the sources that you have used to come up with the assessment that they are currently reading. If you will ensure that there is enough evidences to support you, then your evaluation essay can be more credible and relevant.
Be specific with the kind of evaluation essay that you are creating. An evaluation essay can only be effective if you are aware of the purpose on why you are writing the document. Being able to present details, comments, and information that is directly related to the kind of evaluation essay that you are writing can help you create a highly-usable output. There are different kinds of evaluation essays and you should be aware that each of them have differences depending on the purpose of their creation. Come up with a highly-usable and effective evaluation essay by directly providing the needs of your readers.
Always be clear when presenting your evaluation. Since the main purpose of an evaluation essay is to relay your viewpoint about a specific subject, you have to make sure that you will be precise and concise when delivering the message that you want your readers to be knowledgeable of. You have to explain how you were able to create the evaluation which includes the specification of the factors that you have considered within the entirety of the evaluation and writing process.

Humanities Project Evaluation Essay

Size: 331 KB

Printable Self-Evaluation Essay Example

Size: 128 KB

Purposes of an Evaluation Essay

There is a wide variety of evaluation essay examples that are specifically created for particular purposes. Evaluation essays can cover a lot of topics which is why it is used in a range of industries and processes. The different kinds of evaluation essays can be used for the following instances and activities:

To create a book report or a review of a book’s content and how it has affected the reader
To identify critical points of a written work may it be a poem, another essay or a research paper
To create a literature or literary review to fully identify the content of a literary piece
To give critique about an initial analysis or a full process
To support the processes of employment regularization or employee promotion
To assess and analyze the results of a reading activity
To add value to a recommendation letter
To analyze a research topic that can fully affect the entire research activity
To evaluate the work performance of either a student or an employee
To identify the strengths and weaknesses of an individual through a self-evaluation

With the different ways on how you can use an evaluation essay, it is safe to say that there are a lot of fields of expertise that can benefit from this document. When creating your own evaluation essay, you should always keep in mind that the content of your essay must be relevant to the message that you would like to disseminate or share to your target readers.

Thesis Paper Evaluation Essay Example

Size: 100 KB

Evaluation Essay Sample in PDF

Size: 282 KB

Qualitative Evaluation Essay Example

Size: 396 KB

Steps in Writing an Evaluation Essay

If you want to create an evaluation essay, you should be strategic when it comes to the presentation of information that can be helpful in the writing activity. Your evaluation essay can only be fully-maximized if there is an organized discussion of your evaluation as well as the facts that can support your thesis statement.

Here is an essay writing basic guide that you may follow when writing an evaluation essay:

Be aware of your topic. The first thing that you need to do when writing an evaluation essay is to be knowledgeable about the topic that you will write about. As much as possible, research about the subject of discussion so you can easily identify the characteristics that you can evaluate and the criteria that you will use for evaluation.
Make sure to have a set of criteria that can help you determine your evaluation. Once you are already aware of your topic, you can already set criteria that will serve as the basis for your evaluation. If you will properly identify the criteria that will best fit your needs for the specific evaluation, then you can make your evaluation essay stronger and more effective.
Refer to samples and templates of evaluation essays. It will be helpful if you will look at different kinds of evaluation essay samples and templates. These documents can help you be more familiar with what an evaluation essay is and how the details present in this kind of essay should be arranged and presented.
Create an evaluation essay draft. It will depend on you if you will use a template as your guide when writing an evaluation essay. You can also just browse through samples and start your evaluation essay from scratch. One thing that we highly suggest you should do is to make a draft or an outline of the discussion that you would like to have. This can help you ensure that all the necessary information will be placed in your final evaluation essay.
Start writing the content of your evaluation essay. Through the help of the draft that you have created, write a thesis in the first paragraph of your essay. This is the part where you can discuss the topic that you will use for evaluation and the statement on whether you think positively or negatively of the subject. The way that you create a thesis statement will be based on the nature of operations or functions where the essay will be used.
Incorporate evidences in your discussion so you can support your claims and/or opinions. After your thesis statement and discussion of important details, your next paragraphs should contain your opinions as well as the evidence that you have used as references. You can end your evaluation essay by having a firm statement of your conclusion.

Printable Self-Evaluation Essay Sample

Size: 13 KB

Self-Assessment Essay Example

Size: 29 KB

Simple Self-Evaluation Essay Example

Size: 51 KB

Evaluation Essay as an Important Written Document

An evaluation essay should be taken seriously especially in matters where its content can affect other people or even an entire community. Since an evaluation essay is not only a part of college essay examples as it can also be used in business and corporate processes, you have to understand the weight of its effectiveness. May it be a self-evaluation essay or a project evaluation essay, always keep in mind that you should put together all the evident facts and your statements in a professional and objective manner.

Whether it is a last minute essay writing or a thoughtfully planned evaluation essay composition, being aware of the items that we have discussed in this post can help you further improve the content and structure of an evaluation essay. It will also be easier for you to come up with an evaluation that can be trusted by your readers. Present all the details that you need to discuss in an organized and informative manner so you can come up with an evaluation essay that will truly work.

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Write an Evaluation Essay on the effectiveness of online learning platforms.

Discuss the quality of a school cafeteria's lunch options in an Evaluation Essay.

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Working with sources
Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples

Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples

Published on June 2, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

The sources you use are an important component of your research. It’s important to evaluate the sources you’re considering using, in order to:

Ensure that they’re credible
Determine whether they’re relevant to your topic
Assess the quality of their arguments

Evaluating a source’s credibility, evaluating a source’s relevance, evaluating a source’s arguments, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about evaluating sources.

Evaluating the credibility of a source is an important way of sifting out misinformation and determining whether you should use it in your research. Useful approaches include the CRAAP test and lateral reading .

One of the best ways to evaluate source credibility is the CRAAP test . This stands for:

Currency: Does the source reflect recent research?
Relevance: Is the source related to your research topic?
Authority: Is it a respected publication? Is the author an expert in their field?
Accuracy: Does the source support its arguments and conclusions with evidence?
Purpose: What is the author’s intention?

How you evaluate a source using these criteria will depend on your subject and focus. It’s important to understand the types of sources and how you should use them in your field of research.

Lateral reading

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it to other sources. This allows you to:

Verify evidence
Contextualize information
Find potential weaknesses

If a source is using methods or drawing conclusions that are incompatible with other research in its field, it may not be reliable.

Rather than taking these figures at face value, you decide to determine the accuracy of the source’s claims by cross-checking them with official statistics such as census reports and figures compiled by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics.

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How you evaluate the relevance of a source will depend on your topic, and on where you are in the research process . Preliminary evaluation helps you to pick out relevant sources in your search, while in-depth evaluation allows you to understand how they’re related.

Preliminary evaluation

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, you can use preliminary evaluation to determine which sources might be relevant. This is especially important when you’re surveying a large number of sources (e.g., in a literature review or systematic review ).

One way to do this is to look at paratextual material, or the parts of a work other than the text itself.

Look at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work.
Consult the index for key terms or the names of important scholars.

You can also read abstracts , prefaces , introductions , and conclusions . These will give you a clear idea of the author’s intentions, the parameters of the research, and even the conclusions they draw.

Preliminary evaluation is useful as it allows you to:

Determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth
Quickly move on to more relevant sources
Increase the quality of the information you consume

While this preliminary evaluation is an important step in the research process, you should engage with sources more deeply in order to adequately understand them.

In-depth evaluation

Begin your in-depth evaluation with any landmark studies in your field of research, or with sources that you’re sure are related to your research topic.

As you read, try to understand the connections between the sources. Look for:

Key debates: What topics or questions are currently influencing research? How does the source respond to these key debates?
Major publications or critics: Are there any specific texts or scholars that have greatly influenced the field? How does the source engage with them?
Trends: Is the field currently dominated by particular theories or research methods ? How does the source respond to these?
Gaps: Are there any oversights or weaknesses in the research?

Even sources whose conclusions you disagree with can be relevant, as they can strengthen your argument by offering alternative perspectives.

Every source should contribute to the debate about its topic by taking a clear position. This position and the conclusions the author comes to should be supported by evidence from direct observation or from other sources.

Most sources will use a mix of primary and secondary sources to form an argument . It is important to consider how the author uses these sources. A good argument should be based on analysis and critique, and there should be a logical relationship between evidence and conclusions.

To assess an argument’s strengths and weaknesses, ask:

Does the evidence support the claim?
How does the author use evidence? What theories, methods, or models do they use?
Could the evidence be used to draw other conclusions? Can it be interpreted differently?
How does the author situate their argument in the field? Do they agree or disagree with other scholars? Do they confirm or challenge established knowledge?

Situating a source in relation to other sources ( lateral reading ) can help you determine whether the author’s arguments and conclusions are reliable and how you will respond to them in your own writing.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

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As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

Lateral reading is the act of evaluating the credibility of a source by comparing it with other sources. This allows you to:

A credible source should pass the CRAAP test and follow these guidelines:

The information should be up to date and current.
The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
For a web source, the URL and layout should signify that it is trustworthy.

The CRAAP test is an acronym to help you evaluate the credibility of a source you are considering using. It is an important component of information literacy .

The CRAAP test has five main components:

Currency: Is the source up to date?
Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research?
Authority: Where is the source published? Who is the author? Are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field?
Accuracy: Is the source supported by evidence? Are the claims cited correctly?
Purpose: What was the motive behind publishing this source?

Scholarly sources are written by experts in their field and are typically subjected to peer review . They are intended for a scholarly audience, include a full bibliography, and use scholarly or technical language. For these reasons, they are typically considered credible sources .

Popular sources like magazines and news articles are typically written by journalists. These types of sources usually don’t include a bibliography and are written for a popular, rather than academic, audience. They are not always reliable and may be written from a biased or uninformed perspective, but they can still be cited in some contexts.

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Ryan, E. (2023, May 31). Evaluating Sources | Methods & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/evaluating-sources/

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Vnemos (vietnamese speech emotion dataset).

This research introduces the dataset that we created to test voice emotional recognition models with Vietnamese data. The data set is the result of research, testing, and filtering 250 emotional segments from movie, movie series and live show divided equally for 5 basic emotional states of humans: “anger, happiness, sadness, neutral and anxiety”, VNEMOS contains approximately 30 minutes long. This dataset brings a balanced and diverse emotional set to study emotional recognition issues related to understanding human mood and emotions. Through evaluation Our dataset achieved a 89\% accuracy, showcasing the adeptness at capturing the essence of positive emotions and robust learning capabilities in real-world scenarios. By clarifying these nuances. Our research will contribute much to future work on emotion recognition and signal processing in Vietnamese and data using human psychological science. Detailed information of the dataset is in the following link: “bit.ly/VNEMOS”.

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Speech Evaluation Essay Example
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FREE 10+ Speech Evaluation Forms in PDF
🎉 How to evaluate a speech examples. Toastmasters Speech Evaluation
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Master Your Evaluation Essay
Conduct Quality Speech Contests
Assessment of Speech
Lecture 4: Overview of the Rubric for Speech Grading
Swimming Lesson (Evaluation Speech Contestant 8)
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Speech Evaluation Essay
Speech evaluation essays can range from any type of speech that can be evaluated. Informative speeches, Persuasive speeches, and even self reflection speeches. 4+ Speech Evaluation Essay Examples 1. Speech Evaluation Essay Template. professormartin.net. Details. File Format. PDF; Size: 103 KB. Download. 2.
7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)
Learn how to write an evaluation essay by following seven steps: aim for objectivity, use criteria, analyze pros and cons, form argument, write introduction, body and conclusion. See examples of evaluation essays on various topics and get a pdf of this article for class.
How to Evaluate a Speech: 15 Steps (with Pictures)
Giving a speech is hard because it has all the challenges of writing an essay, with the added difficulty of having to make it easy to listen to out loud. ... The most important thing to focus on in your evaluation is the content of the speech. If it's a persuasive speech, or an argument speech, the content will likely include a lot of research ...
PDF A TOASTMASTERS GUIDE TO SPEECH EVALUATION
Learn how to prepare and deliver effective evaluations for Toastmasters speeches with this comprehensive resource. Find tips, templates, examples and feedback tools from experienced evaluators and coaches.
Speech Analysis #1: How to Study and Critique a Speech
Studying other speakers is a critical skill, one of the 25 essential skills for a public speaker. The ability to analyze a speech will accelerate the growth of any speaker. The Speech Analysis Series is a series of articles examining different aspects of presentation analysis. You will learn how to study a speech and how to deliver an effective ...
How to Write and Format a Speech Analysis Essay (With Example)
Learn how to write and format a speech analysis essay with this guide and a sample essay on Elie Wiesel's speech at Buchenwald. Find out how to use storytelling, intonation, quotation, and more to evaluate a speech.
How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis
Learn how to write a rhetorical analysis essay that looks at a text in terms of rhetoric, such as appeals, claims, and warrants. See examples of how to analyze the text, context, and purpose of a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Speech evaluation| giving and receiving meaningful feedback
Learn how to give and get useful feedback on your speeches and presentations, using a printable evaluation form and a 5-point rating scale. Find out what aspects of a speech are rated and how to improve your performance based on the feedback.
How to Write an Evaluation Essay: A Step-By-Step Guide
Learn the definition, purpose, and structure of evaluation essays, and get tips and examples for choosing a subject, developing a thesis, and organizing your argument. Find out how to use evidence, criteria, and counterarguments to support your opinion and impress your readers.
Speech Analysis: Evaluation Forms, Tools, Resources
Learn how to evaluate speeches with a free speech evaluation form and other tips and tools. This article is part of a series on speech analysis by Andrew Dlugan, a public speaking expert and coach.
How to Write an Evaluation Paper With Sample Essays
Learn how to write an evaluation paper by choosing a topic, finding criteria, and comparing it with the best example in the category. See examples of evaluation essays on various topics and get tips on how to organize your paper.
How to Write an Evaluation Essay
Learn how to write an evaluation essay with this comprehensive guide that covers the definition, structure, criteria, and examples of different types of evaluation essays. Find out how to choose a topic, write an introduction, body, and conclusion, and cite your sources.
Writing the Evaluation Essay
Please make a copy of this document (File>Make Copy) and complete all of the steps below: Evaluation Essay Requirements: Evaluate a movie or film 3 pages, double spaced (750 words)MLA FormatSee your course and fill in your due dates. Prewriting Check (Week 6) Due Date: Draft Due to Peer Editing Form (Week 7)
EVALUATION ESSAYS
The purpose of an evaluation essay is to present an opinion or viewpoint on a subject or body of work. It should firstly provide a summary of the article in question, then using a thorough, well structured argument the writer presents a point-of-view supported with examples and evidence. By nature this essay bears many similarities to the ...
Ultimate Guide to Writing an Evaluation Essay: Tips and Examples
Learn the essential steps of writing an effective evaluation essay, from choosing a topic and developing a thesis to organizing your arguments and refining your writing. See examples of evaluation essays on various subjects and get tips on how to structure, analyze, and revise your essay.
Evaluation Essay Definition, Example & Parts
An evaluation essay is a type of argument essay that offers an opinion or a review of something. Learn how to write an evaluation essay with an example, and review the parts of an evaluative thesis.
Evaluation Essays
Learn how to write an evaluation essay by presenting the subject, asserting a judgment, giving reasons and support, counterarguing, and establishing credibility. An evaluation essay is a type of argument that aims to present an informed and well-reasoned judgment about a subject based on criteria and evidence.
Ultimate Guide to Writing an Evaluation Essay: Tips and Examples
Learn the key elements and steps of writing an effective evaluation essay, such as choosing a relevant topic, developing a strong thesis, providing clear criteria, and supporting your evaluation with evidence. This guide also offers practical tips and examples to help you master the art of crafting a compelling appraisal composition.
Self-Evaluation for Speeches
A form to help you improve your presentations by reflecting on your topic, audience, outline, introduction, body, conclusion, delivery, and visual aid. Record yourself practicing and evaluate all aspects of your speech.
Evaluation Essay
Learn how to write an evaluation essay by following the steps to choose a topic, set criteria, collect evidence, decide structure, and craft the outline. Find out how to start an evaluation essay with a hook, a subject introduction, and a thesis statement.
Evaluation Essay
Refer to samples and templates of evaluation essays. It will be helpful if you will look at different kinds of evaluation essay samples and templates. These documents can help you be more familiar with what an evaluation essay is and how the details present in this kind of essay should be arranged and presented. Create an evaluation essay draft.
Evaluating Sources
Learn how to evaluate sources for credibility, relevance, and quality using the CRAAP test and lateral reading. Find out how to use paratextual material, key debates, trends, gaps, and arguments to choose the best sources for your research.
Criteria for Evaluating Informative Speakers
Judges are encouraged to write comments and are given the following instructions: "The best critiques teach and encourage the student. Please offer areas of improvement and positive attributes of the speech. Be aware of your own implicit bias. Avoid comments about a student's attire."
Papers with Code
This research introduces the dataset that we created to test voice emotional recognition models with Vietnamese data. The data set is the result of research, testing, and filtering 250 emotional segments from movie, movie series and live show divided equally for 5 basic emotional states of humans: "anger, happiness, sadness, neutral and anxiety", VNEMOS contains approximately 30 minutes long.