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How to write Evaluative Thesis

September 5 2023 03:02 PM

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In the realm of academic writing, the thesis statement reigns supreme. It serves as the North Star, guiding writers and readers through the complex terrain of ideas and arguments. A well-crafted thesis statement can distinguish between a compelling, thought-provoking essay and one that leaves the audience bewildered or unengaged. Among the various types of thesis statements, the evaluative thesis is a testament to the writer's ability to critically assess and form judgments on a subject.

In this article, we explore evaluative theses, exploring what they are, why they matter, and how to craft them effectively. Whether you're a seasoned academic or a budding writer seeking to hone your skills, understanding evaluative theses will undoubtedly enhance your ability to communicate and persuade through the written word.

Definition of an Evaluative Thesis

Before we delve deeper into the nuances of evaluative theses, let's establish a clear understanding of what they entail. An evaluative thesis is a concise, arguable statement that expresses a judgment or assessment about a particular subject, backed by evidence and analysis. Unlike informative theses that merely inform the reader about a topic or argumentative theses that take a position on an issue, evaluative theses go further. They require writers to critically examine a subject and provide a well-reasoned evaluation, offering insight into its quality, significance, or effectiveness.

Imagine you're a film critic tasked with reviewing a recently released movie. Your evaluative thesis would serve as the core of your review, encapsulating your overall assessment of the film's merits or shortcomings. This thesis statement sets the tone for your review and informs readers about the lens through which you'll analyze the movie's various elements - plot, acting, cinematography, and more.

The Importance of Having a Clear Thesis Statement

In the vast sea of words that constitute the world of writing, a thesis statement is a lighthouse, guiding both the writer and the reader toward a focused, well-structured narrative. Without a strong thesis, an essay can meander aimlessly, leaving the reader uncertain about the writer's intentions or conclusions. Conversely, a well-crafted thesis provides a roadmap for the writer, ensuring that every subsequent paragraph and sentence contributes to the overarching argument or evaluation.

A clear statement is particularly crucial in an evaluative thesis. It sets the stage for your evaluation and helps readers understand how you view the subject. Are you assessing a work of literature for its thematic depth, a scientific theory for its empirical support, or a product for its market viability? Your evaluative thesis tells your audience what to expect and why they should care.

Understanding the Basics

We must start with a solid foundation to unravel the intricacies of evaluative theses. In this chapter, we will explore the fundamental concepts that underpin the art of evaluative thesis writing. We will define a thesis statement, distinguish between different types of theses, and elucidate the unique role of evaluative theses in academic discourse.

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that briefly and clearly expresses the main point or argument of an essay, research paper, or any written work. Think of it as the compass guiding the writer and the reader through the text's intricate terrain. It serves as a promise to your audience, indicating the direction your writing will take and the purpose it aims to fulfill.

The Essence of a Thesis Statement:

Clarity : A good thesis statement is unambiguous and leaves no room for ambiguity. It provides a clear and specific focus for the entire piece of writing.
Conciseness : A thesis statement should be brief and to the point, capturing the essence of your argument without unnecessary jargon.
Arguability : An effective thesis statement is debatable. It presents an assertion that can be challenged, discussed, or supported with evidence and analysis.
Relevance : A thesis statement must be directly relevant to the topic and align with the subject of your writing.

Different Types of Thesis Statements

Not all thesis statements are created equal. Depending on the writer's objectives, different types of thesis statements can be employed. It's important to recognize the distinctions between these types to choose the most appropriate one for your writing task. The three primary types of thesis statements are:

Informative Thesis

An informative thesis statement merely informs the reader about a topic, presenting facts straightforwardly. It does not take a position, make an argument, or provide an evaluation. Informative theses are commonly used in expository and descriptive essays.

Example: "The history of the Great Wall of China spans over 2,000 years."

Argumentative Thesis

An argumentative thesis statement takes a clear position on a specific issue or topic and presents an argument the writer intends to prove or defend. It is the cornerstone of persuasive essays and research papers, where the writer seeks to persuade the audience of a particular viewpoint.

Example: "The government should implement stricter regulations on carbon emissions to combat climate change."

Evaluative Thesis

Example: "The novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is a timeless masterpiece due to its profound exploration of social injustice and moral growth."

The Role of an Evaluative Thesis in Academic Writing

Evaluative theses are a distinctive breed among thesis statements. They play a crucial role in academic writing by requiring writers to assert their position and critically analyze and evaluate a subject's merits or shortcomings. Here are some key aspects that highlight the significance of evaluative theses in academic discourse:

Critical Thinking : Evaluative theses demand rigorous critical thinking. Writers must weigh evidence, consider multiple perspectives, and make informed judgments.
Depth of Analysis : They require in-depth analysis and exploration of a subject, often delving into various facets such as quality, significance, effectiveness, or impact.
Nuanced Perspective : Evaluative theses foster a nuanced perspective. Writers must distinguish between objectivity and subjectivity, avoiding overly biased or unsubstantiated claims.

With these foundational concepts in mind, we are now equipped to explore the unique characteristics of evaluative theses in greater detail. In the following chapters, we will delve into the art of crafting evaluative thesis statements, selecting appropriate topics for evaluation, and providing robust evidence and analysis to support your judgments.

Characteristics of an Evaluative Thesis

In exploring evaluative theses, one must grasp the distinctive features that set them apart from other thesis statements. Evaluative theses are the analytical bedrock of critical essays and reviews, demanding writers' specific approaches and mindsets. In this chapter, we will delve into the key characteristics that define an evaluative thesis.

Objective Evaluation vs. Subjective Opinion

One of the defining characteristics of an evaluative thesis is its emphasis on objective evaluation rather than subjective opinion. While evaluative theses involve making judgments, these judgments must be grounded in evidence, analysis, and established criteria.

Objective Evaluation : In an evaluative thesis, objectivity is paramount. Writers should strive to evaluate a subject based on universally accepted standards, established criteria, or commonly recognized principles. The goal is to provide an assessment that others can reasonably agree or disagree with, regardless of personal preferences.

Subjective Opinion : In contrast, subjective opinions are based on personal feelings, tastes, or preferences and may not be universally applicable. An evaluative thesis should avoid being overly reliant on the writer's personal biases or emotions.

The Need for Evidence and Analysis

Evaluative theses are not mere declarations of judgment; they require robust support through evidence and analysis. This support serves two essential purposes:

Substantiating the Judgment : To make a convincing evaluation, writers must present credible evidence that supports their judgment. This can include facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions.

Demonstrating Critical Thinking : Evaluation demands critical thinking and analysis. Writers must present evidence and analyze it in the context of the subject and criteria. This analysis forms the backbone of a well-constructed evaluative thesis.

Expressing a Judgment or Assessment

At the heart of an evaluative thesis lies judgment or assessment. This judgment can take various forms, depending on the nature of the subject and the writer's purpose:

Positive Evaluation : An evaluative thesis may express a positive judgment, highlighting the subject's merits, strengths, or positive attributes. This type of evaluation often seeks to persuade the audience of the subject's value or significance.

Example: "The innovative use of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' enhances the novel's thematic depth and literary brilliance."

Negative Evaluation : Conversely, an evaluative thesis may convey a negative judgment, focusing on the subject's flaws, weaknesses, or shortcomings. This type of evaluation aims to critique or discourage engagement with the subject.

Example: "The film's weak character development and clichéd plot detract from its overall quality, disappointing it."

Balanced Evaluation : In some cases, evaluative theses may strike a balanced tone, acknowledging the subject's strengths and weaknesses. This approach fosters a nuanced perspective and may be particularly relevant for complex or multifaceted subjects.

Example: "While the smartphone offers cutting-edge technology and convenience, its high cost and potential privacy concerns should not be overlooked."

Selecting Your Topic

The choice of topic is a crucial starting point in crafting an evaluative thesis. A well-chosen topic not only sets the stage for a meaningful evaluation but also determines the relevance and engagement of your essay. In this chapter, we will explore the intricacies of selecting a suitable topic for evaluation.

Choosing a Subject for Evaluation

Selecting the right subject is the cornerstone of crafting a compelling evaluative thesis. Here are some considerations to guide you in the process:

Relevance and Interest : Choose a subject that is relevant to your audience and aligns with your interests. An engaging topic will capture your reader's attention and motivate you throughout the writing process.
Clarity and Specificity : Opt for a subject that can be clearly defined and evaluated within the scope of your essay. Avoid overly broad or vague topics that may lead to unfocused writing.
Availability of Information : Ensure you can access sufficient information, evidence, or examples to support your evaluation. A lack of credible sources or data can hinder your ability to make a convincing argument.
Significance : Consider the importance of the subject within its relevant context. Evaluating a topic that holds significance in academia, society, or a specific field can add depth and relevance to your writing.
Controversy or Complexity : Topics that are controversial or multifaceted often provide rich material for evaluation. They invite critical thinking and analysis, leading to more robust evaluative theses.

Narrowing Down Your Focus

Once you have identified a general subject for evaluation, the next step is to narrow down your focus. This involves defining the specific aspect or dimension of the subject you intend to evaluate. Consider the following strategies:

Establish Criteria : Determine the criteria or standards against which you will evaluate the subject. These criteria will serve as the basis for your judgment. For example, if you are evaluating a restaurant, your criteria might include food quality, service, ambiance, and value for money.
Focus on Specific Elements : Choose specific elements or components of the subject to evaluate. For instance, if you are evaluating a book, you might focus on its characterization, plot development, or thematic depth.
Identify a Research Question : Formulate a research question that encapsulates the core of your evaluation. This question should guide your analysis and help you stay on track as you gather evidence and develop your thesis.
Consider Audience Expectations : Consider your audience. What aspects of the subject are likely to interest or concern your readers? Tailor your evaluation accordingly.

The Relevance of Your Topic to Your Audience

While your evaluative thesis primarily reflects your assessment, it is essential to consider the relevance of your chosen topic to your audience. Consider why your readers should care about your evaluation and how it might impact them. Aligning your evaluation with your audience's interests or concerns can enhance the significance of your writing.

In the next chapter, we will delve into the process of crafting your evaluative thesis statement, which will serve as the compass guiding your evaluation. Selecting a relevant and well-defined topic lays the foundation for a compelling and persuasive evaluative thesis.

Crafting Your Evaluative Thesis

As we continue our journey into evaluative theses, we arrive at a critical juncture: crafting the very heart of your evaluation - the evaluative thesis statement. This chapter will explore the art of formulating clear, concise, and compelling evaluative thesis statements that will guide your entire essay.

Developing a Clear and Concise Thesis Statement

The evaluative thesis statement is the anchor of your essay, encapsulating your central judgment and providing a roadmap for your readers. Here's how to craft a clear and concise evaluative thesis statement:

1. Be Specific: Your thesis should focus on the subject of evaluation and the criteria by which you will judge it. Avoid vague or overly general statements.

Vague Statement: "This restaurant has its pros and cons."

Specific Statement: "The restaurant's exceptional food quality and attentive service outweigh its high prices."

2. Express a Judgment: Clearly express your judgment or assessment of the subject. Whether positive, negative, or balanced, your thesis should leave no doubt about your stance.

Positive Evaluation: "The documentary 'Planet Earth' is a stunning achievement in wildlife filmmaking."

Negative Evaluation: "The smartphone's sleek design is overshadowed by its short battery life."

Balanced Evaluation: "While the novel '1984' has enduring relevance, its pacing can be challenging for modern readers."

3. Include Criteria: Indicate the criteria or standards by which you are evaluating the subject. This provides context for your judgment and guides your analysis.

"The film's captivating cinematography and powerful performances make it a must-see."

4. Avoid Ambiguity: Ensure that your thesis statement is unambiguous. Readers should immediately understand the essence of your evaluation and the direction of your essay.

Ambiguous Statement: "The latest software update has pros and cons."

Clear Statement: "The latest software update enhances user interface functionality but introduces stability issues."

Including the Subject of Evaluation and the Criteria

A well-constructed evaluative thesis statement typically comprises two essential components: the subject of evaluation and the criteria by which you are evaluating it. These components work in tandem to provide clarity and focus. Consider the following example:

Evaluative Thesis: "The novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is a timeless masterpiece due to its profound exploration of social injustice and moral growth."

The subject of Evaluation: "The novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee."

Criteria for Evaluation: "Profound exploration of social injustice and moral growth."

By including both the subject and criteria, your evaluative thesis sets the stage for your essay's subsequent analysis and discussion.

Avoiding Vague or Overly Broad Statements

Vague or overly broad evaluative thesis statements can lead to unfocused and ineffective essays. Consider these strategies to avoid common pitfalls:

Vague Statements: Statements that lack specificity and fail to convey a clear judgment can confuse readers.

"This movie has its good and bad aspects."

Overly Broad Statements: Overgeneralized statements may be too broad to address effectively in one essay.

"Technology has both positive and negative effects on society."

Lack of Criteria: Ensure that your thesis includes specific criteria for evaluation, as this forms the basis for your judgment.

"The book 'The Great Gatsby' has strengths and weaknesses."

Providing Evidence and Support

A compelling evaluative thesis statement is just the beginning of your journey in crafting a persuasive evaluation. You must provide robust evidence and support to substantiate your judgment and convince your readers. This chapter will explore the critical role of evidence and analysis in bolstering your evaluative thesis.

Gathering Relevant Evidence and Examples

Effective evaluation relies on credible evidence and concrete examples that illustrate the merits or shortcomings of your subject. Here's how to gather relevant evidence:

Research: Conduct thorough research to gather facts, data, and expert opinions about your subject. Look for reputable sources, such as scholarly articles, books, websites, or expert interviews.

Direct Observation: If applicable, use direct observation or personal experiences to collect firsthand information about your subject. For example, if you are evaluating a restaurant, visit it and make detailed observations.

Case Studies: Seek out case studies, real-world examples, or case-specific evidence that support your judgment. These can provide powerful illustrations of your evaluation.

Historical Context: Consider your subject's historical context or background, as it can shed light on its significance or evolution over time.

Citing Credible Sources

When incorporating evidence into your evaluative essay, it's essential to cite credible sources transparently. Proper citation serves two crucial purposes:

Establishing Credibility: Citing reputable sources lends credibility to your evaluation. It shows that expert opinions or well-documented facts inform your judgment.

Providing a Reference: Citations provide a reference point for readers who wish to explore the evidence further or verify your claims.

Follow the citation style specified by your academic institution or publication guidelines (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Demonstrating Critical Thinking and Analysis

The mere presentation of evidence is insufficient; you must also engage in critical thinking and analysis. Here's how to effectively analyze and interpret your evidence:

Interpretation: Explain the significance of the evidence in the context of your evaluation. Describe how it supports or challenges your thesis statement.

Comparative Analysis: Compare and contrast different pieces of evidence or examples to highlight patterns or trends. This can add depth to your evaluation.

Consider Counterarguments: Acknowledge and address counterarguments or opposing viewpoints. Demonstrating awareness of different perspectives adds credibility to your evaluation.

Cause and Effect: Analyze the cause-and-effect relationships between your evidence and the subject of evaluation. How do specific aspects of your subject lead to your judgments?

Critically analyzing your evidence strengthens your argument and demonstrates your ability to think deeply and objectively about the subject.

Maintaining a Balanced Approach

Balancing your evaluation is essential, especially when dealing with complex or multifaceted subjects. While providing evidence that supports your judgment is crucial, avoid cherry-picking evidence that only confirms your preconceived notions. Embrace a balanced approach that acknowledges both strengths and weaknesses.

Presenting Evidence Effectively

The presentation of evidence in your evaluative essay should be clear and logically organized. Consider the following strategies:

Use of Examples: Incorporate illustrative examples or anecdotes to make your evidence relatable and memorable for your readers.

Organization: Structure your essay logically, each paragraph focusing on a specific evidence or aspect of your evaluation.

Transitions: Use transitional phrases and sentences to guide readers from one piece of evidence to the next, creating a seamless flow of ideas.

Structuring Your Essay

A well-structured essay is the canvas on which your evaluative thesis comes to life. In this chapter, we will explore the structural components of your evaluative essay, from the introduction that hooks your readers to the conclusion that reinforces your thesis.

Introduction with the Evaluative Thesis Statement

Hook Your Readers: Begin your essay with a compelling hook that grabs your reader's attention and introduces the subject of evaluation. This can be a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an engaging anecdote.

Evaluative Thesis Statement: In the introductory paragraph, present your evaluative thesis statement clearly and concisely. Ensure it includes the subject of evaluation and the criteria by which you will judge it. The thesis should serve as the guiding beacon for your entire essay.

Contextual Background: Provide some background information about the subject of evaluation, especially if it's not widely known or understood. This helps readers understand its significance.

Body Paragraphs Presenting Evidence and Analysis

The body of your essay is where you present your evidence, analysis, and discussion. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific piece of evidence or aspect of your evaluation:

Topic Sentence: Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the paragraph's main point. This should connect to your evaluative thesis.

Evidence Presentation: Present your evidence or examples logically and organized. Use descriptive language and context to help readers understand the relevance of the evidence.

Analysis: After presenting evidence, engage in critical analysis. Explain how the evidence supports or challenges your evaluative thesis. Address questions like "Why is this evidence significant?" and "How does it relate to the criteria?"

Transitions: Use transitional phrases and sentences to smoothly transition from one body paragraph to the next. This creates a coherent flow of ideas and arguments throughout your essay.

Conclusion Summarizing the Evaluation

The conclusion is where you tie everything together and leave a lasting impression on your readers:

Restate Your Thesis: Begin your conclusion by restating your evaluative thesis statement. This reinforces your central judgment.

Summarize Key Points: Summarize the key points you've discussed in your essay. Highlight the most significant evidence and analysis that support your evaluation.

Final Thoughts: Offer some final thoughts or insights that encapsulate the essence of your evaluation. Reflect on the broader implications or significance of your judgment.

Call to Action or Consideration: Depending on your essay's purpose, you might include a call to action, a thought-provoking question, or an invitation for further consideration of the subject.

Tips for Effective Writing

While mastering the art of crafting evaluative theses is essential, effective writing goes beyond thesis statements. It encompasses the entire process, from brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft. This chapter will explore tips and strategies for enhancing your writing skills and producing compelling evaluative essays.

Use of Language and Tone

Clarity is Key: Strive for clarity in your writing. Use clear and straightforward language to convey your ideas. Avoid convoluted sentences or overly complex vocabulary that may confuse your readers.

Formal Tone: Maintain a formal and professional tone in academic writing. Avoid overly informal language, slang, or colloquialisms.

Precision: Choose words and phrases that convey your intended meaning precisely. Avoid vague or ambiguous language.

Transitions: Use transitional words and phrases to guide your readers through your essay. This helps create a seamless flow of ideas.

Avoiding Bias and Maintaining Objectivity

Balance Perspectives: When presenting evidence or discussing your evaluation, strive for balance. Acknowledge the subject's strengths and weaknesses, even if your overall evaluation leans in one direction.

Avoid Personal Pronouns: Minimize using personal pronouns like "I" or "you." Instead, opt for a more objective third-person perspective.

Cite Expert Opinions: Incorporate expert opinions or scholarly sources to support your arguments. This demonstrates that your evaluation is grounded in authoritative perspectives.

Objective Language: When presenting evidence or analysis, use objective language. Avoid emotionally charged or judgmental language that may bias your readers.

Revision and Proofreading

Multiple Drafts: Never settle for your first draft. Writing is a process, and revision is where your work truly shines. Review and revise your essay multiple times to refine your arguments and improve clarity.

Fresh Eyes: Take breaks between writing and revising sessions. Returning to your work with fresh eyes allows you to spot errors or areas that need improvement more effectively.

Peer Review: Consider seeking peer, mentor, or writing tutor feedback. Fresh perspectives can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Grammar and Mechanics: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Errors in these areas can detract from your writing's professionalism and credibility.

Conciseness and Efficiency

Avoid Repetition: Eliminate unnecessary repetition of ideas or words. Each sentence and paragraph should contribute something new to your argument.

Cut Unnecessary Words: Trim excessive words or phrases that do not add value to your writing. Be concise while retaining clarity.

Active Voice: Use the active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging. Passive voice can sometimes make sentences more convoluted.

Seek Feedback and Revise

Welcome Feedback: Embrace feedback from others as an opportunity to improve your writing. Constructive criticism helps you grow as a writer.

Multiple Revisions: Don't be afraid to revise your work extensively. The best writing often comes after multiple revisions and refinements.

Read Aloud: Reading your essay aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, unclear sentences, or errors you might miss when reading silently.

Follow Guidelines and Requirements

Adhere to Guidelines: Follow any specific guidelines or requirements from your instructor or publication. This includes formatting, citation styles, and word count.

Meet Deadlines: Submit your essay on time. Effective time management is crucial for producing high-quality work.

Examples of Evaluative Theses

Example 1: Film Evaluation

Evaluative Thesis: "Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' is a cinematic masterpiece due to its innovative narrative structure, breathtaking visual effects, and thought-provoking exploration of dreams and reality."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis provides a clear judgment (positive) and presents the subject ("Inception") along with specific criteria for evaluation (narrative structure, visual effects, exploration of dreams and reality). The criteria offer insight into why the film is deemed a masterpiece.

Example 2: Book Evaluation

Evaluative Thesis: "Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' remains a timeless classic because of its sharp social commentary, memorable characters, and enduring relevance in exploring themes of love and societal expectations."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis takes a positive stance on the novel and presents the subject ("Pride and Prejudice") along with specific criteria for evaluation (social commentary, characters, exploration of themes). The thesis highlights the novel's timeless qualities.

Example 3: Restaurant Review

Evaluative Thesis: "The 'Mediterraneo' restaurant provides a delightful dining experience with its flavorful cuisine, attentive service, and inviting ambiance, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis expresses a positive judgment and introduces the subject ("Mediterraneo" restaurant) along with the evaluation criteria (cuisine, service, ambiance). The thesis highlights the restaurant's appeal to food enthusiasts.

Example 4: Technology Assessment

Evaluative Thesis: "The latest smartphone model, while offering innovative features and enhanced performance, falls short in battery life, significantly impacting its overall user experience."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis conveys a balanced evaluation, acknowledging the smartphone's positive and negative aspects. The subject ("latest smartphone model") and evaluation criteria (features, performance, battery life) are clearly outlined.

Example 5: Film Critique

Evaluative Thesis: "While 'Avatar' is visually stunning and groundbreaking in its use of technology, its reliance on a familiar storyline and one-dimensional characters diminishes its overall impact as a cinematic experience."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis presents a balanced judgment, recognizing both the film's strengths and weaknesses. The subject ("Avatar") and evaluation criteria (visuals, technology, storyline, characters) are explicitly mentioned.

Example 6: Product Review

Evaluative Thesis: "The 'EcoClean' laundry detergent offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional detergents, effectively removing stains and reducing environmental impact, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious consumers."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis takes a positive stance and introduces the subject ("EcoClean" laundry detergent) along with criteria for evaluation (efficacy in stain removal, eco-friendliness). The thesis caters to environmentally conscious consumers.

Example 7: Literary Analysis

Evaluative Thesis: "Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' stands as a profound exploration of human nature, with its intricate characters, moral dilemmas, and timeless themes of revenge and madness."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis expresses a positive judgment and presents the subject ("Hamlet") along with evaluation criteria (characters, moral dilemmas, exploration of themes). The thesis underscores the play's enduring significance.

Example 8: Art Critique

Evaluative Thesis: "Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' is a masterpiece of post-impressionist art, captivating viewers with its vivid colors, expressive brushwork, and emotional depth."

Analysis: This evaluative thesis takes a positive stance and introduces the subject ("Starry Night" by Van Gogh) along with criteria for evaluation (colors, brushwork, emotional depth). The thesis emphasizes the artwork's artistic merits.

By examining these diverse examples of evaluative thesis statements, you can discern common elements, such as clear judgment, subject identification, and evaluation criteria. These examples illustrate the versatility of evaluative theses across different domains, from literature and art to technology and dining experiences.

Our exploration of evaluative theses is foundational in developing strong critical analysis and persuasive writing skills. As you continue to hone your abilities, remember that evaluative theses are powerful tools for engaging, informing, and persuading your readers.

In conclusion, evaluative theses are not just statements but catalysts of insightful analysis and persuasive communication. By mastering the art of crafting evaluative thesis statements and refining your writing skills, you can influence, inform, and engage with the world through critical evaluation.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery. We wish you success in your future endeavors as a critical thinker and persuasive writer.

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

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:

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)

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]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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.

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.

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.

So what are you waiting for? Buy custom essay online and have a sigh of relief!

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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While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.

Arguable thesis with analytical claim

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Arguable thesis with normative claim

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.

Questions to ask about your thesis

Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?
Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?
Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?
Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?
Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
picture_as_pdf Thesis

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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Secrets of Writing an Excellent Evaluation Essay

05 July, 2020

14 minutes read

Author: Elizabeth Brown

Many people prefer to check reviews on the movie or book before watching or reading it. The summary information and honest point of view on the subject matter are usually included in an evaluation essay. You just need to analyze both sides of the chosen criterion through thorough research, analysis of your thesis, and examination of your own values. To write a good evaluation essay, you should forget about your feelings and create an objective overview of the topic. That way, you will reveal the truth about the real worth of the particular subject matter.

So, what is an evaluation essay? The answer to this question you will find out in this post.

What Is an Evaluation Essay?

An evaluation paper is a kind of essay in which you express your argumentative point of view on various topics. As a form of literary thinking, it is based on much more than just a quick judgment about a person, place, or object. The common standards of evaluation writing, such as clearance, objectivity, and coherence, are to be followed throughout the text. These standards help identify how well a subject meets up or falls short of the ideal. No wonder this kind of essay is widely used for scientific purposes when the comparison of two inventions or technologies is required. In an evaluation essay, all the arguments are delivered objectively, while your personal opinion is stated at the very end as a summary.

On the Internet, you can find lots of reviews with one sentence only: “This essay is fine.” Does it look informative to you? Can you rely on this kind of feedback? Let’s be honest, such a review can hardly provide you with a clear understanding of whether the subject is worth your attention or not. The main feature of an evaluation essay is that it contains details and evidence to support your point of view. Instead of discussing every observation, you just need to underpin your point of view with examples that will make your paper look convincing.

CJE guidelines

How to start an evaluation essay? What needs to be preconsidered? Every evaluation essay consists of three structural elements – criteria, judgement, and evidence. Let’s get deeper into details.

The criteria that you choose should evaluate a person or subject through the prism of their ideal version. What can their best features be? For instance, you would expect an interesting plot and professional acting from a movie. Once you have specific benchmarks in mind, they can be used to evaluate these points.

The judgement aspect is used to estimate whether or not the benchmarks have been met. For instance, you can start a movie evaluation from judging whether it aligns with the specific benchmark. Does it offer the quality acting you expect? Does it have gaps in the plot? These are only some of the possible options to consider.

Remember that you must develop clues to advocate your judgements. For instance, if you make the judgement that the movie quality does not meet your expectations, you should be ready to provide evidence. Without eligible evidence, your evaluation essay won’t look convincing.

When structuring your evaluation essay, it is crucial to address a different criterion in each paragraph. In that paragraph, you should reflect on each criterion, make the relevant judgements and provide supporting proofs.

How to Write an Evaluation Essay?

With this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to write an evaluation essay. Here are the major steps to be taken:

Choose your topic. Whatever kind of essay you are writing, you will have to take this step. Your topic can be offered by your instructor, as the case may be. But if you have to choose it yourself, you should consider a subject that you are familiar with. Thus, it will be easier for you to take an in-depth look at the subject and make a judgement on its value.
Create a thesis statement. This is an important element of your essay as it contains the general purpose of the evaluation. In the thesis, you need to reflect on the criteria being used to judge the subject matter and state its value. Your statement should look apparent and to the point. In the process of writing, you may revise it as your essay gets shaped.
Identify the criteria to be used for accessing the subject matter. Determine the benchmarks in your essay in order to make it interesting and engaging. The criteria you choose will depend on the subject of your evaluation. For instance, a movie will be judged using different points of reference than a book.
Find supporting evidence . Don’t forget that an essay is not just about your opinion. You will need to find some supporting information from trustworthy sources while making each judgement. Don’t think that stating the movie or book title is enough. Use some questions to find out answers that can help you collect more information. How can you evaluate the subject? What kind of readers are you focused on? Will you focus on good or bad sides of the subject?
Write a draft of your essay . All you need to do is to continue writing. As soon as you have something written on paper, you will rewrite or restructure it unless you are totally happy with the result.

Review, revise and rewrite. When a draft is completed, you will read over your work and make some changes if needed. You should be ready to rewrite your paper several times to get it just right.

Evaluation Essay Example

Here, you will find a well-written evaluation essay example that you can use for yourself:

https://academichelp.net/samples/academics/essays/evaluation/standardized-tests.html
https://www.examples.com/education/evaluation-essay-examples.html

Evaluation Essay VS Review

An evaluation essay is widely associated with a review paper. This is a common mistake many students make. Although the two types of paper have some similarities, there are more differences that set them apart. You can take a look at those differences in the table below.

Tips on Writing an Evaluation Essay from Our Experts

Following the quick tips below, you will find it easier to write an effective evaluation argument essay:

Provide the right amount of details: Make sure you explain your thoughts clearly and provide sufficient information to convince the reader in the correctness of your judgment.
Thesis sentence should reveal your actual opinion. If you want to build up the basis for your body, you can include the main reasons for your evaluation in the thesis sentence.
Know your target audience. By knowing your reader, you can adjust the plot to their specific needs. Whether you write for college students or professors, you will have to apply a bit different approach in the language choice.
Make some notes. By using a three-column note-taking method, you can organize your thoughts. The columns of criteria, evidence, and judgment will contain the relevant information which will not let you forget or mix facts.
Be opinionated . By sounding passionate in your evaluation essay, you will increase your chances of catching readers’ attention. The use of vivid nouns and engaging verbs will strengthen the effect produced by your paper. You should have a strong judgment of how the particular subject is either better or worse than other subjects of the same type.
Back up every judgement you make. Every time you make a judgment, you should be ready to use specific, interesting, and convincing reasons to make it up. For evidence, you can describe the subject, use funny stories, or compare and contrast some notions with a similar subject.
Provide counter-arguments. When you disagree with what most people think about the particular subject, it makes sense to provide some counter-arguments. This will make the narration more engaging for readers.

List of 50 Evaluation Topics

Since there are many people and objects you are able to assess, an evaluation essay can be written on a wide range of topics. To evaluate something, you will need to compare it with an example within a subject you have chosen. Some possible evaluation essay topics can be found below:

Analyze the dissimilarity between seeing a sporting event live and watching it on ITV.
Create a comparative assessment of watching a sporting event in a cafe and watching it without leaving the comfort of your home.
Evaluate the experience of watching a sporting event on your own and with other people.
Evaluate how a recent drama movie portrays the tragedies of real life.
Evaluate a classic criminal movie and what it states about the real crime rates in the modern society.
Evaluate your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Compare two popular Chinese restaurants in your city.
Appraise football or basketball from the perspective of a contestant or that of a watcher.
Analyze the way in which football or basketball has advanced over the last decade.
Discuss the influence of ESPN on sporting events.
Evaluate the coverage of the latest Eurovision Song Contest.
Evaluate a fancy restaurant for how it makes the customer feel after having the meal
Analyze the way in which a popular horror movie depicts people’s fears.
Assess a classic action movie and talk about its ideas regarding the functions of men and women.
Explore the change that occurred in recent war movies if compared to classic war movies.
How do drama books affect readers?
Evaluate a book about war and analyze whether it addresses current concerns associated with war and peace.
Evaluate the effects of online educational programs on students’ performance.
Do historical movies encourage history learning?
Evaluate an Italian cafe located in your city. What is the difference between the Italian and local food?
What makes a traditional Italian meal great?
Can hamburgers be healthy? Mention some details and provide relevant arguments.
How mental health issues affect students’ academic performance?
Analyze teachers’ responsibilities in terms of elementary students’ needs.
Evaluate the power of verbal encouragement as a motivational factor in the educational process.
Critically reflect on education services provided to children experiencing difficulties in learning.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of German secondary education.
Evaluate teaching methods used at the American universities.
Ways in which online libraries affect the students’ academic performance.
How well the film “BraveHeart” portrays historical events?
Analyze a movie produced in a foreign country and discuss how it reveals its national characteristics.
Assess Kate Winslet’s play in “Titanic” and discuss which means this actor applies to adapt to this role.
Make a comparison between modern and classic drama movies.
Assess the distinct approaches used to transfer data from a smartphone to a PC.
Make comparisons between various phone plans and determine which provider has the best deals for travelers.
Assess current information security methods. Which one is the most efficient?
Assess the key characteristics of WhatsApp.
Compare the use of several cloud systems that can be implemented by the movie hub website.
Estimate the chances of Facebook as a marketing resource.
Evaluate the effectiveness of online advertising.
Assess the existing approaches to using the Internet in colleges.
Analyze the consequences of cultural shock.
Assess the negative sides of overwhelming cultural diversity in the United States.
Discuss the development path of rap and hip-hop music.
What is the impact of Buddhism on Indian culture?
Compare two popular social media platforms in terms of their users, features, and benefits.
Evaluate the latest version of your favorite smartphone and estimate the positive or negative changes that will affect the industry.
Compare an educational approach in the military, Christian, or classical school.
Evaluate the SAT versus the ACT tests.
Compare the foreign policies established by a few states in the US.

Note that our company provides academic writing help. You can buy an essay written from scratch by our essay writer .

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Evaluation Essay: Writing Guide, Outline & Free Samples

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Are you wondering how to write an evaluation essay? We are here to inspire and let you know all the essential steps to get started. This blog post will describe what is an evaluative essay, including its purpose and elements. In addition, you will be enlightened on how to actually write evaluations - all the necessary factors and steps will be elaborated on. These steps are: deciding what to appraise, what criteria to apply, and how to develop arguments and outlines. Toward the end, you will be provided with evaluation essay samples that will enable you to put theoretical guidelines into practice. Strictly follow this blog post from our essay writer services to the end.

What Is an Evaluation Essay: Definition

The starting point of being well-versed in this from of writing is understanding its definition and purpose, as it will lay a good foundation for further work. Evaluation essay is a paper that offers evidence that helps to justify writer's opinion on different subjects by providing enough facts to convince readers. Such type of writing requires critical thinking skills when analyzing, synthesizing, and assessing given topics to avoid misleading your audience. The main purpose of this type of paper is to provide objective criticism oт various subjects and make conclusions about them. As a result, the latter helps readers to take a stance about a topic. In addition, there is an exhaustive review of fundamental characteristics, styles, and quality of subjects under discussion. The value of a particular topic is obtained through supportive and factual evidence provided. Finally, this paper helps present well-reasoned and informed judgment on particular standards, hence clearing concerning issues about a given subject.

Things You Can Write an Evaluation About

Preparing evaluative essay is a broad topic, and you need to be well-organized, or else the text will quickly lose meaning and purpose. There are various abstract categories and exact things that you can assess in writing. When you write evaluations, ensure you deeply understand your topic of discussion. Reading through an evaluation example will help you know what to do. Some evaluation essay topics and objects suitable for assessment include:

Experience: gaming, traveling, and shopping.
Music: its content, the impact, instruments played, and comparison to other works by artists.
Furniture: chair, desk, stool, table, etc.
Fruits: guava, mangoes, oranges, pineapples.
Trees: oak, teak, pine.
Sports: volleyball, table tennis, golf.
Clothes: casual wear, sportswear, formalwear.
Class: methods of teaching , challenges, type of assessments, etc.
Social trend: origin, overall influence, and objectives.
Courses: journalism, mathematics, business, and history.

Elements of an Evaluation Essay

Understanding all components of evaluation papers - three in total - is important during writing. They include:

Criteria In order to determine aspects you will assess about certain brands, services, or products, a proper set of standards is required. Standard helps in demonstrating expectations. During evaluative writing, it is essential to think about some good samples of similar brands, services, or products. Also, contemplate on related significant features. For instance, a house can be well-ventilated, secure, and clean, which are quite helpful benchmarks.
Judgment A second element in essay evaluation is judgment. This aspect helps to establish if stated standards were met. Considering the previous example of a house discussed under this criteria, you may first assess if the house is secure or not. Find out if the house meets, exceeds, or falls short of your anticipated security standards, then move on to other criteria.
Evidence This component focuses on providing facts supporting the judgment. For instance, in the house example, if you conclude that security level does not meet the expected standards, provide evidence to prove this judgment. When you structure an evaluation essay, ensure each paragraph discusses a different criterion. It helps you to make judgments and provide evidence under each paragraph.

What to Consider Before Writing an Evaluation

There are two factors to put into consideration before writing evaluations. One of them is ensuring that evaluation argument remains objective. Objectivity is achieved by not including personal opinions in disputes. Besides, one remains objective by supporting claims with relevant facts. Also, included references need to fully support your stand. You should know that a discourse must be balanced and fair. Secondly, deciding on evaluative standards is another important factor to consider. You need to have a deeper understanding of subjects before deciding on measures to use during this analysis. Chosen standards must adequately and appropriately represent particular subjects' features, qualities, and values. Besides, when deciding on evaluation essay criteria, ensure that you focus on defending your stated thesis. In addition, have enough evidence and details to support the chosen criterion. Finally, appropriately organize your facts and make sure you have imperative and unbiased information concerning your subjects of discussion.

Evaluation Essay Outline

A clear outline provides a map of organizing ideas when you write evaluation essay. An evaluation essay outline covers at least five structured paragraphs. The first is an introductory paragraph followed by three or more body paragraphs, and finally, an essay conclusion . Below is an evaluation paper outline example under the topic of practicing vaping.

Introduction

An introduction presents subjects, hooks readers, and elaborates on topic of evaluation.
The last part of your introduction is a thesis statement, which asserts arguments, determines focus, and helps understand essays’ gist.
The body must contain a minimum three paragraphs.
Each body paragraph needs to have a criterion followed by judgment.
Support judgments with relevant evidence.
When concluding, summarize main points.
Give some food for thought.

Here’s how your evaluation essay outline look:

Introductory paragraph

Do you know that vaping is a better alternative to smoking? How is it rated?
Some notable issues with vaping include its safety, cost, and utility.
This essay discusses vaping while focusing on safety issues, incurred costs, and utility to prove how it is preferred compared to traditional smoking.

Body part

Safety: According to the British government, vaping is 95% safer when compared to cigarette smoking. Vaping is less harmful. No second-hand smoke is produced during vaping, hence the best smoking alternative.
Cost: Vaping is cheaper when compared to smoking. The price for a vape pen is almost $20. Coils and E-juice are inexpensive, unlike a cigarette carton, and can last twice longer.
Utility: From environmental health, vaping has high utility. Many places have banned cigarette smoking; thus, vaping is the best alternative. Indoors and outdoor vaping is allowed, unlike cigarette smoking, which is banned indoors.

Concluding paragraph

Vaping offers the best smoking alternative. It is of high quality, and people need to embrace it. Also, it is less costly, practical, and safer.

How to Start an Evaluation Essay

There are various steps that one can follow when writing an evaluation essay. These steps include:

Choosing a topic A topic provides credibility for opinions and gives room for a thorough analysis of essential issues. Always start an evaluation essay by choosing an appropriate subject. You must be familiar with and have in-depth knowledge of a chosen theme to avoid misleading and losing readers. Ensure it is well-engaging for both the readers and you.
Thesis statement development Coming up with a thesis statement is the second step, actual writing starts here. Thesis statements define main purposes of evaluative essays. Besides, they offer directions for distinguishing criteria from the examples provided. Use only relevant information when writing thesis statements.
Criteria determination A third step to consider when preparing evaluation is thinking about criteria. Assess if evaluating a chosen topic is difficult or easy. In case of problematic topics, subdivide them into various points to make it easier.
Conduct research and obtain supportive evidence You need to support your opinion with logical and physical facts, or else it will remain invalid. Your readers must make sense of your proof and have opportunities to use those facts to make their assumptions. After this step, you can start composing your essay.

How to Write an Evaluation Essay

Several steps exist that one can follow during evaluative writing. The first step in how to write an evaluation is to decide on a particular subject you wish to assess, followed by coming up with criteria you will use. Besides, develop solid arguments backed up with evidence. Also, create an outline, and start writing. Once you complete your writing, proofread your work. The steps below describe the chronological order of writing your essay.

1. Decide on What You Want to Evaluate

The first step when writing this essay is deciding on a topic you will assess. During writing to evaluate, choose a subject you understand better so that you have enough facts to support or oppose it. The chosen issue needs to be engaging to your readers, otherwise yo may lose your audience. Besides, when selecting a theme, ensure it is interesting in general to avoid boredom. Also, a chosen subject needs to be relevant to keep the readers informed about current trends and new developments. The majority of your audience must be aware of the concept. Always ensure that chosen topics are specific and not generic.

2. Find Criteria for Evaluation Essay

Once you discuss a subject, you must come up with criteria for essay evaluation. At this point, turn your opinions into assessments to help you define a chosen subject. You may use different ways to find criteria on how to do an evaluation paper. For instance, you can focus on a chosen characteristics of a topic to help you develop standards. Besides, you might assess the relevance of that topic and decide whether it is good or bad for your readers. Also, focusing on the impacts of subjects helps find standards when evaluating. Researching positive or negative impacts of the topic helps in mastering what and how to evaluate in an essay. Also, you may find criteria by focusing on the effectiveness of that subject, whether it is successful or not. Apart from that, one may focus on the morals or aesthetic standards of a particular subject to develop measures to discuss.

3. Come Up With an Evaluation Argument

Reader understands your decision by following the argument. Evaluative arguments refer to claims concerning the quality of particular subjects being assessed. This argument will always rate subjects as either negative or positive. With this rating, one can think of subjects as harmful or helpful, bad or good. An argument in evaluation essay defines and supports criteria. A judgment always elaborates and explains reasons for choosing particular standards despite controversy. Evaluation argument essay assesses subjects depending on chosen measures. Considered factors include practicability, aesthetics, and ethics. Make sure to determine which standards will convince your audience. Effective development of arguments starts by creating an evaluative thesis statement: take position, develop criteria, and find out if topic meets standards. For instance, when evaluating meal’s quality, you may say:

Meal’s strength depended on its presentation, it was enticing, and its outlook was appropriate.

Another example could be:

Meal’s weakness was in overcooking, as its flavor became less pronounced.

Additionally, another example of a subject could be practicing vaping. In such case, an evaluation argument example will be:

Vaping is safe, inexpensive, and highly practical when compared to cigarette smoking, and due to these reasons, it is a recommendable practice for traditional smokers who wish to break old habits.

4. Create an Evaluative Essay Outline

After choosing a discussion topic, one can create an outline for essay . Outlines start with the development of thesis statements, followed by a list of main ideas and a conclusion. For this essay type, outlines require a minimum of five paragraphs. The first paragraph of the evaluation in writing is introduction that ends with a thesis statement. An introduction is followed by at least three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Outlines are important as they form a basis for thoughtfully constructing ideas. Also, they help in organizing your points sequentially for them to remain orderly. In addition, they are useful in picking relevant information, providing steady foundation when starting to write. Thus, it is worth noting that outlines form a crucial part of these essays, and they give a sketch of writing.

5. Write an Evaluation Paper

When you write evaluative papers, ensure you follow everything stated in your outline. The sections discussed below will help you understand how to write evaluation:

Introduction When writing your introductory paragraph, ensure it engages you and your readers. Introduce subjects by capturing the reader’s attention. Elaborate on selected subjects, their influence, and reasons for assessing those topics. Be clear with chosen criteria you will be discussing. Generally, when writing your introductory paragraph, provide your entire subject overview.
Thesis statement The last sentence of an introduction is a thesis statement. It tells your readers what they should expect from evaluation essay and its purpose. Include evaluative arguments that rate subjects either positive or negative with supportive facts. A good evaluation thesis example must include all the stated parts.
Body A body is commonly the lengthiest part in this type of writing. You must develop a minimum of three body paragraphs in your evaluation paper. When writing body paragraphs, always use transition words while moving from a thesis statement to the first reason and other successive reasons. During evaluate writing, all body paragraphs must start with topic sentences, which inform your reader about your opinion. After stating topic sentences, write your criteria. A criterion will elaborate on the standards of a topic you are discussing. When you are done with it, provide judgments. Judgments must elaborate whether the standards of subjects were met or not. Thereafter, provide evidence supporting your argument. Following that, mention any objections about your judgment, then finalize by refuting those claims. Repeat all these steps for each body paragraph. Ensure you remain relevant in all the paragraphs to avoid losing your readers.
Conclusion A conclusion is the final evaluation paragraph. When concluding, start by restating your thesis statement and follow by summarizing and reflecting on major points.

6. Proofread Your Evaluation Essay

When you complete your evaluation writing, the last step is proofreading and revising your work. Reading through your work helps improve your paper's quality and remove mistakes. Besides, it enables you to locate and correct inconsistencies in your text. Also, when you edit your work, you ensure that the ideas of your paper are well-defined. Revising your work helps in assessing if the content was appropriately conveyed. Also, it guarantees that sentences are grammatically appropriate by correcting typing and spelling errors to avoid readers’ confusion. Finally, you should read through your work critically and develop better ways of improving clarity, good structure of sentences, and entire effectiveness.

Evaluative Essay Structure

There are various examples of evaluation essays format. These formats include:

Chronological structure It is used when describing events based on how they happened in an orderly manner, starting from the earliest to the last, like when evaluating current or historical events. Chronological essay structures are more descriptive because they are detailed.
Spatial structure In contrast to previous type, this one is used when presenting details of particular subjects depending on their location in space. A spatial essay form is used when describing an item like architecture or art depending on how they appear when observed. Something else that people need to understand is that it is easy to remember a spatial essay structure because physical location is used when describing subjects.
Compare and contrast structure Compare structure is used when exploring existing similarities between subjects, while contrast structure exists for discussing differences between items. Mostly, subjects discussed in compare and contrast papers fall under the same category; however, there may exist exceptions to this rule.
Point-by-point format structure This is a subtype of compare and contrast essay that provides a general view of individual items being analyzed. This essay type compares a set of subjects because paragraph arrangement depends on main points and not by topic. Each paragraph discusses the main point and include subjects as they relate to each main point.

Evaluation Essay Example

There are millions of evaluative essays samples posted online. These examples offer impressive descriptions of evaluative essays with all the key steps to follow and will help you polish your skills when writing this paper. However, not all of the examples posted online are reliable. Therefore, the only preferred evaluation essay sample that students can use must come from peer-reviewed sources. Essay types from scholarly sites are written by reputable authors who meet all required standards; moreover, you can easily find an excellent book on this subject with appropriate examples. Attached are evaluation essays samples from credible writers.

Tips on How to Write Evaluation Essay

For one to write perfect essays, there are some helpful tips you may follow. Following these points will help you produce impressive evaluation and your readers will enjoy. Some of those tips when writing an evaluation essay include:

Carefully read certain materials while making notes and analyzing content.
Read through each paragraph before transitioning to another section.
Avoid leaving out negative aspects, but try to discuss both pros and cons of your subjects.
When reading other’s evaluative essay, analyze each paragraph and notice the authors’ mistakes: is information helpful? what can you do better?
Avoid adding minor details with insufficient supportive evidence, as they will mislead you and your readers.
Express your thoughts concisely and clearly as you peruse the written evaluation examples.
Ensure that your evaluation essay thesis is anchored to your judgment.
Write your paper with precision and attention to details while avoiding wordiness and providing enough useful information as you keenly follow the guide.
Enable your readers to feel and agree with your assessment.

Bottom Line on Writing Evaluation Essays

Understanding the text’s definition and purpose is your first step toward knowing how to write a good evaluation. Thereafter, list categories and respective things you will assess during your writing. Master the three elements of an evaluative essay and use them effectively. Your argument must be objective and help clearly decide on what criteria to use. Besides, you need to understand all sections of an outline, how to start evaluative essay, and then, follow essential steps. In addition, get acquainted with the four types of essay structure. Remember that you always can increase your experience by reading some good evaluative writing examples. Keep all these tips in mind to ensure you write a proper essay.

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FAQ About Evaluation Papers

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

Introduction is the first component of evaluation essay that hooks readers, introduces the subject, and contains thesis statement.
Background information is the second component; it clarifies to readers your evaluation topic.
Criteria is the third component, which entails standards for evaluating subjects.
Conclusion is the fourth component; it restates your thesis statements and summarizes main points.

2. What to write in an evaluation essay?

There are numerous things that one can consider during essay evaluations. Evaluation writing examples and their respective criteria include:

Movies: A plot, relationship among actors, and scenes.
Restaurants: Quality of food, price, and cleanliness.
Websites: Type of content, its design, and ease of navigating.
House: Overall quality, accessibility, and cost.
Business: Market share, its strengths and weaknesses.
Social trend: Origin, overall influence, and objectives.
Leader: Overall achievements, style of leadership, integrity.
University: Offered programs, number of graduates per year, online or in-person, reputation.
Class: Methods of teaching, challenges, type of assessments.
Job: Nature of work, working hours, bosses, salary, demand.
Advertisement: Media used when advertising, effectiveness, level of convincing, level of engagement.
Speech: Type of audience, main purpose, compelling.

3. What is the difference between an evaluation and review?

Despite similarities existing between an evaluation essay and a review, the two differ. An evaluative essay focuses on deeper research and analysis of certain subjects, while a review provides a general outlook of particular subjects. Evaluative essays must have criteria that judge specific subjects, and reviews do not need criteria. In addition, under certain conditions, it is mandatory to cite sources used in writing evaluative essays, while reviews do not require references.

4. What is a good evaluative thesis example?

A good evaluative thesis must inform readers what to expect and its impact and determine an essay’s focus. Also, a strong thesis must state evaluative arguments. Here is a proper evaluation essay thesis example: Vaping is highly practical, inexpensive, and safe compared to cigarette smoking, and following these reasons, it is a recommendable practice for traditional smokers wishing to leave old habits.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

Definition and Examples of Evaluation Essays

An Introduction to Punctuation
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

An evaluation essay is a composition that offers value judgments about a particular subject according to a set of criteria. Also called evaluative writing , evaluative essay or report , and critical evaluation essay .

An evaluation essay or report is a type of argument that provides evidence to justify a writer's opinions about a subject.

"Any kind of review is essentially a piece of evaluative writing," says Allen S. Goose. "This type of writing calls for the critical thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation" ( 8 Kinds of Writing , 2001).

Observations

"Without good reasons for liking or disliking certain things, students can never get beyond being passive receivers of marketing, fickle consumers without a basis for their opinions. Writing evaluation papers asks them to question why they feel the way they do." (Allison D. Smith, et al., Teaching in the Pop Culture Zone: Using Popular Culture in the Composition Classroom . Wadsworth, 2009)

How to Evaluate

"If you are evaluating a piece of writing, then you are going to need to thoroughly read the work. While you read the work, keep in mind the criteria you are using to evaluate. The evaluative aspects may be: grammar, sentence structure, spelling, content, usage of sources, style, or many other things. Other things to consider when evaluating a piece of writing is whether the writing appealed to its target audience . Was there an emotional appeal? Did the author engage the audience, or was the piece lacking something? ..."If you are evaluating anything else, use your head. You need to try, use, or test whatever thing you are evaluating. That means you should not evaluate a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette unless you have the $45,000 (or more) to buy one, or the money to rent one. You also need the know-how of driving a car of that power and a base of knowledge of other cars that you have tested to compare it to." (Joe Torres, Rhetoric and Composition Study Guide . Global Media, 2007)

Identifying Criteria for an Evaluation

" Make a list of prominent, widely recognized standards for judging your subject. If you do not know the standards usually used to evaluate your subject, you could do some research . For example, if you are reviewing a film, you could read a few recent film reviews online or in the library, noting the standards that reviewers typically use and the reasons that they assert for liking or disliking a film. If you are evaluating a soccer team or one winning (or losing) game, you could read a book on coaching soccer or talk to an experienced soccer coach to learn about what makes an excellent soccer team or winning game." (Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper, Axelrod & Cooper's Concise Guide to Writing , 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006)

Ways of Organizing an Evaluation Essay

"One way to organize an evaluation essay is point-by-point: describe one element of the subject and then evaluate it; present the next element and evaluate it; and so on. Comparison/contrast could be an organizing structure as well, in which you evaluate something by comparing (or contrasting) it to a known item. Culinary and music reviews often use this strategy. Chronological organization can be used for evaluating an event (either current or historical). Sequential organization can be used when describing how something works and evaluating the effectiveness of the process, procedure, or mechanism. Spatial organization can be used for evaluating art or architecture in which you describe and evaluate one element of the artifact and then move spatially to the next major element to be described and evaluated." (David S. Hogsette, Writing That Makes Sense: Critical Thinking in College Composition . Wipf and Stock, 2009)
Questions for Each Level of Bloom's Taxonomy
Holistic Grading (Composition)
Critical Analysis in Composition
What Is a Critique in Composition?
Critical Thinking in Reading and Composition
Self-Evaluation of Essays
Research in Essays and Reports
Topical Organization Essay
What Is Composition? Definition, Types, and Examples
Sample Essay Rubric for Elementary Teachers
Moving Past the Five Paragraph Essay
Who Should You Ask for a Recommendation Letter?
Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
Peer Response (Composition)
Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
Definition Examples of Collage Essays

Developing a Thesis for a Compare and Contrast Essay

LESSON Like any essay A short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. , a compare and contrast essay A written discussion of both the similarities and differences between people, objects, or ideas. This type of essay shows how things are alike in some ways (compare) as well as how they are different in other ways (contrast). hinges on an effective thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work. . Without a strong thesis, an essay will be weak and will not convey an effective main idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. for readers. In a compare and contrast essay, you can develop either an explanatory or evaluative thesis statement A brief statement that identifies a writer's thoughts, opinions, or conclusions about a topic. Thesis statements bring unity to a piece of writing, giving it a focus and a purpose. You can use three questions to help form a thesis statement: What is my topic? What am I trying to say about that topic? Why is this important to me or my reader? . This lesson will help you differentiate between the two types of thesis statements and give you the tools to develop your own thesis statements.

Explanatory Thesis Statements

An explanatory thesis A statement that explains something without judgment. compares two subjects The people, places, things, or ideas being discussed or described. without taking a particular stance on either one. You will use this type of thesis in expository essays An essay that explains or describes something with facts and not opinions. How-to guides, timelines, and biographies are all examples of expository writing. and research papers. This type calls attention to the differences and/or similarities between two subjects without bias In writing, bias indicates a writer's personal prejudice for or against an idea, person, activity, or object. Being objective, or displaying no tendency toward a preference, is the opposite of showing bias. . These points of comparison The criteria by which subjects are compared and/or contrasted. should not be obvious, but should surprise or enlighten the reader about something he or she might not have known before. For example, it is very obvious that cats and dogs are different. It might be more interesting for the reader to learn about the many ways that they are the same.

Here are some examples of explanatory thesis statements:

While both wind turbines and solar panels have their own shortcomings, both offer a number of advantages over traditional energy sources.
Carbohydrate-free and whole-grain diet experts agree on one thing: limiting refined sugars is the key to weight loss.
The Civil War could be said to have arisen from a fundamental dispute over freedom: which is more sacred, freedom for individuals, or freedom from government?

Evaluative Thesis Statements

An evaluative thesis A statement that presents an opinion about the topic. , on the other hand, is a claim that provokes opposition. It makes a judgment call. It declares one subject to be better or worse than another. The two subjects are no longer equal.

Here are some examples of evaluative thesis statements:

Although wind turbines and solar panels both create less greenhouse gasses than fossil fuels, solar panels are much more environmentally friendly.
The carbohydrate-free Paleo diet is all the rage, but studies show that a balanced diet that is rich in whole grains is healthier for your heart.
Some would argue that the Civil War was a war for freedom from government, but those who sought freedom for individuals knew which was the more fundamental right.

It is important to understand your assignment in order to know whether you need to develop an explanatory or an evaluative thesis statement. Assignments, sometimes called prompts Instructions for a writing assignment given by an instructor. , will be tailored toward one or the other.

The following prompts require explanatory thesis statements because they are asking the writer to compare two things without taking a particular stance on whether one is better or worse.

Compare and contrast the content of Woodrow Wilson's two inaugural addresses, including the sociopolitical climates in which they were delivered.
Analyze how a career in transcultural nursing is similar to and different from one in traditional nursing.
Compare the influence of Wordsworth to the influence of Coleridge during the Romantic age of poetry.

The following prompts require evaluative thesis statements because they ask the writer to compare the two subjects while taking a position in favor of one over the other.

Compare Woodrow Wilson's two inaugural addresses, and evaluate which one was more effective for its time.
Analyze the similarities and differences between transcultural nursing and traditional nursing, and explain which will likely have greater career opportunity in your area over the next decade.
Who had more influence during the Romantic age of poetry, Wordsworth or Coleridge? Which one had more influence on the Victorian age of poetry?

There is value in both evaluative and explanatory essays; they serve different purposes. Knowing how to craft effective thesis statements for both situations is critical in both college and a career. In college, you will no doubt have many assignments of both types, whether you are comparing two theories, two processes, or two characters. In your career, you might be asked to compare two job candidates and determine which is more suitable for an open position. Or maybe your supervisor will ask you to write a business proposal recommending one of two different approaches to a project. In all of these cases, an effective thesis statement is the foundation of your writing.

Read each prompt, then notice whether the writing situation requires an explanatory or evaluative thesis. Then see an example thesis.

Prompt: Compare and contrast the effects of walking and running with respect to individual health. Determine which exercise regimen is more appropriate for your assigned patient.

This prompt requires an evaluative thesis. It is asking you to make a comparison and choose between the two options. A possible thesis could be:

While both running and walking offer undeniable health benefits, a walking regimen is more appropriate for a sixty-year-old patient who is returning to exercising after a relatively sedentary life.

Prompt: Compare two of the female characters in The House of Mirth .

This prompt requires an explanatory thesis. It is not asking you to decide which is more likable, more believable, etc. It is asking you to compare the two characters. A possible thesis could be:

Though their fates are quite different, both Lily Bart and Judy Trenor willingly seek lives in gilded cages.

Prompt: Explain the similarities and differences between the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters.

This prompt also requires an explanatory thesis, looking at the characteristics of both disasters. A possible thesis could be:

While there are some differences, the parallels between the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters, despite the twenty-five years between them, suggest that humans still have a great deal to learn about controlling the awesome force they have created.

While this may sound like it is leading to an evaluative essay because the writer has included some of his or her own analysis To analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing. , the thesis statement suggests that the writer will primarily be explaining similarities and differences.

Prompt : Compare French and American cooking techniques, and explain which has contributed more to today's international cuisine.

This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it asks the writer to choose which of the two techniques that they believe contributed more to current cuisine. A possible thesis could be:

While much of today's cuisine has roots in the traditional French cooking techniques, the modern techniques developed by American chefs have done more to influence contemporary cuisine around the world.

Read each prompt, decide whether the writing situation requires an explanatory or evaluative thesis and why. Then, develop a possible thesis for each prompt.

Prompt: Pick a book that has been made into a movie. Explain which aspects of the story were the same between the two and which ones were different.

This prompt requires an explanatory thesis because it requires the writer to determine the similarities and differences between the two without making a judgment call.

Sample Answer

Despite sharing a title, the book version of The Hunger Games differs greatly from the movie version, especially in its character development and major themes.

Prompt: Compare the Winter Olympics to the Summer Olympics and determine which is the better sporting event.

This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it requires the writer to decide which of the two is better.

Although both the Summer and Winter Olympics offer viewers impressive feats of speed and strength, the winter games are superior in many respects.

Prompt: Who would win in a fight: Batman or Superman?

This prompt requires an evaluative thesis because it requires the writer to decide who would win this super battle.

Batman, despite having no native, genetic super-abilities, would defeat Superman if the two ever battled.

Prompt: Choose two academic majors that interest you. Compare the merits of the two.

This prompt requires an explanatory thesis because it requires you to compare the merits of the two; you do not need to decide which one is better.

Today's college students will have a bright future whether they choose to major in information technology or physical therapy.

When I make comparisons it is usually to come to some kind of conclusion about which of two things is better, more convincing, more useful, etc. I compared different school options before choosing one, and once I got into school I made comparisons between courses, majors, and, ultimately, careers.

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54 Evaluation

What is evaluative writing.

Evaluative writing is a type of writing intended to judge something according to a set of criteria. For instance, your health might be evaluated by an insurance company before issuing a policy. The purpose of this evaluation would be to determine your overall health and to check for existing medical conditions. The better your evaluation, the less the insurance company might charge you for coverage.

More commonly, if you plan to spend ten dollars on a movie, you might instead go to Rottentomatoes.com read through what professional movie reviewers and even amateur movie reviewers thought of the film. Rottentomatoes.com makes things simpler by boiling down a review into a score of “freshness”, thus if a film is 97% fresh, nearly everyone enjoyed it. However, we are given reasons for this unless we actually start reading reviews on each film. So, go to Rottentomatoes.com and read a review of a film you have recently watched. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a new film.

Reviews are actually evaluations of films. They use criteria such as the plot complexity, characterization, dialogue, relevance of theme, shot composition, acting, and other elements to determine the overall quality of the film.

Reviewers have long praised Citizen Kane , but is it truly a great film? It was a grand film with enormous sets, a larger-than-life protagonist and strong performances by Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles, and Agnes Moorehead. However, many films possess these qualities. Critics were much more fascinated by the use of light and shadow in many scenes and the unique camera angles created by Gregg Toland, the cinematographer. The camera moves frequently and constantly incorporates contrasts. Welles even used ceilings on his sets to create a much more “boxed-in” sense from the viewer. In some scenes, Toland uses reflected images to provide different perspectives of the characters during particular scenes. In another scene, Welles shows both the passage of time and the dissolution of a marriage by first showing the newlyweds talking and flirting over breakfast as Kane’s wife wears a nightgown and a loose silk robe. This is followed by a succession of mornings until the final scene where the wife wears a high collared blouse, long sleeves, and a scowl as the two trade bitter verbal jabs. In a few short minutes, the audience watches the newlywed’s progress from giddy to openly resentful. It’s these innovations that lead critics to praise the film.

Is it everybody’s favorite film? No. Evaluation and preference are two entirely different measures of quality. Evaluation requires criteria so as to create a more objective “measure” of quality. Preference is about what you like. I like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation because it makes me laugh and because I can watch it with other people and they will laugh, too. Luckily I live in world where I can evaluate an objectively great film and enjoy an objectively bad one. (Though I think I can make an argument that it is objectively a great film.)

ESTABLISHING EVALUATIVE CRITERIA

The key to effective evaluative writing is starting off with a clear and precise assertion. Your main assertion is what you will use to perform the evaluation. You may want to argue that a Chevy Tahoe is better than a Ford Expedition based on its horsepower, gas mileage, capacity, warranty, etc. Other evaluators might argue the difference between their towing capabilities. Whatever the main argument may be for your evaluative essay, make sure that your argument is clear.

Make sure you have a well presented subject. Without one, you will lose your readers.
Create a thesis statement. Thesis statements help you stay focused and help your reader to understand what is being evaluated or judged.
Give only information that is imperative to the decision making process. If it looks like unnecessary information, it probably is.
Do not be biased when creating an evaluative essay. Give both good and bad examples of the topic.

You are the “expert” in an evaluative essay. Support your opinions with facts, not whims.

HOW TO EVALUATE

A big question you might have is: how do I evaluate my subject? That depends on what your subject is.

If you are evaluating a piece of writing, then you are going to need to read the work thoroughly. While you read the work, keep in mind the criteria you are using to evaluate. The evaluative aspects may be: grammar, sentence structure, spelling, content, usage of sources, style, or many other things. Another thing to consider when evaluating a piece of Evaluation writing is whether the writing appeals to its target audience. Is there an emotional appeal? Does the author engage the audience, or is the piece lacking something? If you can, make notes directly on your work itself so that you remember what you want to write about in your essay.

If you are evaluating anything else, use your head. You need to try, use, or test whatever thing you are evaluating. That means you should not evaluate a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette unless you have the $45,000 (or more) to buy one, or the money to rent one. You also need the know-how of driving a car of that power and a base of knowledge of other cars that you have tested to make a fair comparison.

On the note of comparisons, only compare things that are reasonably alike . People don’t care to know how a laugh-out-loud comedy like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation compares to Citizen Kane; that is for a different type of essay. Compare comedies to other comedies and dramas to other dramas. That is what people are looking for when reading comparisons in an evaluation essay. However, keep in mind that comparisons are always useful in illustrating an idea and providing context. They give shape and clarity to often complex ideas presented in evaluations.

Whatever you are evaluating, make sure to do so thoroughly. Take plenty of notes during the testing phase so that your thoughts stay fresh in your mind. You do not want to forget about a part of the subject that you did not test.

STRUCTURE OF THE EVALUATIVE ESSAY

Introduction.

In the introduction of your evaluative essay, you should clearly state the following: – what you are evaluating (the subject – like Citizen Kane or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ) – the purpose of your evaluation – what criteria you are evaluating your subject on (plot, characterization, cinematography etc.) For example, you should not just write that you are judging the acting in the film. You should explain that you are judging the individual performances of actor, the plot of the screenplay, and cinematography. Give the reader background on the subject including the “who, what, when, where, and why” elements of the subject.

Be sure to be very descriptive and thorough when evaluating your subject. The more you leave out of the essay, the more unanswered questions your readers are left with. Your goal should be to cover all aspects of the subject and to tell the audience how good or bad it is. Consider, for example, not only what quality the subject possesses, but what is missing. Good evaluations measure the quality or value of a subject by considering what it has and what it lacks.

Check out: Useful Phrases for Use in Evaluative Writing

The conclusion for an evaluative essay is pretty straightforward. Simply go over the main points from the body of your essay. After that, make an overall evaluation of the subject. Tell the audience if they should buy it, eat it, use it, wear it, etc. and why. After that is done, your essay is finished.

The conclusion of a review is also an opportunity for some flourish. Think about how you can sum up the best or worst of the experience to send your audience marching toward or away from the subject of your evaluation. Good job!

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What is a thesis | A Complete Guide with Examples

A thesis is a comprehensive academic paper based on your original research that presents new findings, arguments, and ideas of your study. It’s typically submitted at the end of your master’s degree or as a capstone of your bachelor’s degree.

However, writing a thesis can be laborious, especially for beginners. From the initial challenge of pinpointing a compelling research topic to organizing and presenting findings, the process is filled with potential pitfalls.

Therefore, to help you, this guide talks about what is a thesis. Additionally, it offers revelations and methodologies to transform it from an overwhelming task to a manageable and rewarding academic milestone.

What is a thesis?

A thesis is an in-depth research study that identifies a particular topic of inquiry and presents a clear argument or perspective about that topic using evidence and logic.

Writing a thesis showcases your ability of critical thinking, gathering evidence, and making a compelling argument. Integral to these competencies is thorough research, which not only fortifies your propositions but also confers credibility to your entire study.

Furthermore, there's another phenomenon you might often confuse with the thesis: the ' working thesis .' However, they aren't similar and shouldn't be used interchangeably.

A working thesis, often referred to as a preliminary or tentative thesis, is an initial version of your thesis statement. It serves as a draft or a starting point that guides your research in its early stages.

As you research more and gather more evidence, your initial thesis (aka working thesis) might change. It's like a starting point that can be adjusted as you learn more. It's normal for your main topic to change a few times before you finalize it.

While a thesis identifies and provides an overarching argument, the key to clearly communicating the central point of that argument lies in writing a strong thesis statement.

What is a thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement (aka thesis sentence) is a concise summary of the main argument or claim of the paper. It serves as a critical anchor in any academic work, succinctly encapsulating the primary argument or main idea of the entire paper.

Typically found within the introductory section, a strong thesis statement acts as a roadmap of your thesis, directing readers through your arguments and findings. By delineating the core focus of your investigation, it offers readers an immediate understanding of the context and the gravity of your study.

Furthermore, an effectively crafted thesis statement can set forth the boundaries of your research, helping readers anticipate the specific areas of inquiry you are addressing.

Different types of thesis statements

A good thesis statement is clear, specific, and arguable. Therefore, it is necessary for you to choose the right type of thesis statement for your academic papers.

Thesis statements can be classified based on their purpose and structure. Here are the primary types of thesis statements:

Argumentative (or Persuasive) thesis statement

Purpose : To convince the reader of a particular stance or point of view by presenting evidence and formulating a compelling argument.

Example : Reducing plastic use in daily life is essential for environmental health.

Analytical thesis statement

Purpose : To break down an idea or issue into its components and evaluate it.

Example : By examining the long-term effects, social implications, and economic impact of climate change, it becomes evident that immediate global action is necessary.

Expository (or Descriptive) thesis statement

Purpose : To explain a topic or subject to the reader.

Example : The Great Depression, spanning the 1930s, was a severe worldwide economic downturn triggered by a stock market crash, bank failures, and reduced consumer spending.

Cause and effect thesis statement

Purpose : To demonstrate a cause and its resulting effect.

Example : Overuse of smartphones can lead to impaired sleep patterns, reduced face-to-face social interactions, and increased levels of anxiety.

Compare and contrast thesis statement

Purpose : To highlight similarities and differences between two subjects.

Example : "While both novels '1984' and 'Brave New World' delve into dystopian futures, they differ in their portrayal of individual freedom, societal control, and the role of technology."

When you write a thesis statement , it's important to ensure clarity and precision, so the reader immediately understands the central focus of your work.

What is the difference between a thesis and a thesis statement?

While both terms are frequently used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.

A thesis refers to the entire research document, encompassing all its chapters and sections. In contrast, a thesis statement is a brief assertion that encapsulates the central argument of the research.

Here’s an in-depth differentiation table of a thesis and a thesis statement.

Now, to craft a compelling thesis, it's crucial to adhere to a specific structure. Let’s break down these essential components that make up a thesis structure

15 components of a thesis structure

Navigating a thesis can be daunting. However, understanding its structure can make the process more manageable.

Here are the key components or different sections of a thesis structure:

Your thesis begins with the title page. It's not just a formality but the gateway to your research.

Here, you'll prominently display the necessary information about you (the author) and your institutional details.

Title of your thesis
Your full name
Your department
Your institution and degree program
Your submission date
Your Supervisor's name (in some cases)
Your Department or faculty (in some cases)
Your University's logo (in some cases)
Your Student ID (in some cases)

In a concise manner, you'll have to summarize the critical aspects of your research in typically no more than 200-300 words.

This includes the problem statement, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. For many, the abstract will determine if they delve deeper into your work, so ensure it's clear and compelling.

Acknowledgments

Research is rarely a solitary endeavor. In the acknowledgments section, you have the chance to express gratitude to those who've supported your journey.

This might include advisors, peers, institutions, or even personal sources of inspiration and support. It's a personal touch, reflecting the humanity behind the academic rigor.

A roadmap for your readers, the table of contents lists the chapters, sections, and subsections of your thesis.

By providing page numbers, you allow readers to navigate your work easily, jumping to sections that pique their interest.

List of figures and tables

Research often involves data, and presenting this data visually can enhance understanding. This section provides an organized listing of all figures and tables in your thesis.

It's a visual index, ensuring that readers can quickly locate and reference your graphical data.

Introduction

Here's where you introduce your research topic, articulate the research question or objective, and outline the significance of your study.

Present the research topic : Clearly articulate the central theme or subject of your research.
Background information : Ground your research topic, providing any necessary context or background information your readers might need to understand the significance of your study.
Define the scope : Clearly delineate the boundaries of your research, indicating what will and won't be covered.
Literature review : Introduce any relevant existing research on your topic, situating your work within the broader academic conversation and highlighting where your research fits in.
State the research Question(s) or objective(s) : Clearly articulate the primary questions or objectives your research aims to address.
Outline the study's structure : Give a brief overview of how the subsequent sections of your work will unfold, guiding your readers through the journey ahead.

The introduction should captivate your readers, making them eager to delve deeper into your research journey.

Literature review section

Your study correlates with existing research. Therefore, in the literature review section, you'll engage in a dialogue with existing knowledge, highlighting relevant studies, theories, and findings.

It's here that you identify gaps in the current knowledge, positioning your research as a bridge to new insights.

To streamline this process, consider leveraging AI tools. For example, the SciSpace literature review tool enables you to efficiently explore and delve into research papers, simplifying your literature review journey.

Methodology

In the research methodology section, you’ll detail the tools, techniques, and processes you employed to gather and analyze data. This section will inform the readers about how you approached your research questions and ensures the reproducibility of your study.

Here's a breakdown of what it should encompass:

Research Design : Describe the overall structure and approach of your research. Are you conducting a qualitative study with in-depth interviews? Or is it a quantitative study using statistical analysis? Perhaps it's a mixed-methods approach?
Data Collection : Detail the methods you used to gather data. This could include surveys, experiments, observations, interviews, archival research, etc. Mention where you sourced your data, the duration of data collection, and any tools or instruments used.
Sampling : If applicable, explain how you selected participants or data sources for your study. Discuss the size of your sample and the rationale behind choosing it.
Data Analysis : Describe the techniques and tools you used to process and analyze the data. This could range from statistical tests in quantitative research to thematic analysis in qualitative research.
Validity and Reliability : Address the steps you took to ensure the validity and reliability of your findings to ensure that your results are both accurate and consistent.
Ethical Considerations : Highlight any ethical issues related to your research and the measures you took to address them, including — informed consent, confidentiality, and data storage and protection measures.

Moreover, different research questions necessitate different types of methodologies. For instance:

Experimental methodology : Often used in sciences, this involves a controlled experiment to discern causality.
Qualitative methodology : Employed when exploring patterns or phenomena without numerical data. Methods can include interviews, focus groups, or content analysis.
Quantitative methodology : Concerned with measurable data and often involves statistical analysis. Surveys and structured observations are common tools here.
Mixed methods : As the name implies, this combines both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

The Methodology section isn’t just about detailing the methods but also justifying why they were chosen. The appropriateness of the methods in addressing your research question can significantly impact the credibility of your findings.

Results (or Findings)

This section presents the outcomes of your research. It's crucial to note that the nature of your results may vary; they could be quantitative, qualitative, or a mix of both.

Quantitative results often present statistical data, showcasing measurable outcomes, and they benefit from tables, graphs, and figures to depict these data points.

Qualitative results , on the other hand, might delve into patterns, themes, or narratives derived from non-numerical data, such as interviews or observations.

Regardless of the nature of your results, clarity is essential. This section is purely about presenting the data without offering interpretations — that comes later in the discussion.

In the discussion section, the raw data transforms into valuable insights.

Start by revisiting your research question and contrast it with the findings. How do your results expand, constrict, or challenge current academic conversations?

Dive into the intricacies of the data, guiding the reader through its implications. Detail potential limitations transparently, signaling your awareness of the research's boundaries. This is where your academic voice should be resonant and confident.

Practical implications (Recommendation) section

Based on the insights derived from your research, this section provides actionable suggestions or proposed solutions.

Whether aimed at industry professionals or the general public, recommendations translate your academic findings into potential real-world actions. They help readers understand the practical implications of your work and how it can be applied to effect change or improvement in a given field.

When crafting recommendations, it's essential to ensure they're feasible and rooted in the evidence provided by your research. They shouldn't merely be aspirational but should offer a clear path forward, grounded in your findings.

The conclusion provides closure to your research narrative.

It's not merely a recap but a synthesis of your main findings and their broader implications. Reconnect with the research questions or hypotheses posited at the beginning, offering clear answers based on your findings.

Reflect on the broader contributions of your study, considering its impact on the academic community and potential real-world applications.

Lastly, the conclusion should leave your readers with a clear understanding of the value and impact of your study.

References (or Bibliography)

Every theory you've expounded upon, every data point you've cited, and every methodological precedent you've followed finds its acknowledgment here.

In references, it's crucial to ensure meticulous consistency in formatting, mirroring the specific guidelines of the chosen citation style .

Proper referencing helps to avoid plagiarism , gives credit to original ideas, and allows readers to explore topics of interest. Moreover, it situates your work within the continuum of academic knowledge.

To properly cite the sources used in the study, you can rely on online citation generator tools to generate accurate citations!

Here’s more on how you can cite your sources.

Often, the depth of research produces a wealth of material that, while crucial, can make the core content of the thesis cumbersome. The appendix is where you mention extra information that supports your research but isn't central to the main text.

Whether it's raw datasets, detailed procedural methodologies, extended case studies, or any other ancillary material, the appendices ensure that these elements are archived for reference without breaking the main narrative's flow.

For thorough researchers and readers keen on meticulous details, the appendices provide a treasure trove of insights.

Glossary (optional)

In academics, specialized terminologies, and jargon are inevitable. However, not every reader is versed in every term.

The glossary, while optional, is a critical tool for accessibility. It's a bridge ensuring that even readers from outside the discipline can access, understand, and appreciate your work.

By defining complex terms and providing context, you're inviting a wider audience to engage with your research, enhancing its reach and impact.

Remember, while these components provide a structured framework, the essence of your thesis lies in the originality of your ideas, the rigor of your research, and the clarity of your presentation.

As you craft each section, keep your readers in mind, ensuring that your passion and dedication shine through every page.

Thesis examples

To further elucidate the concept of a thesis, here are illustrative examples from various fields:

Example 1 (History): Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the ‘Noble Savage’ on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807 by Suchait Kahlon.

Example 2 (Climate Dynamics): Influence of external forcings on abrupt millennial-scale climate changes: a statistical modelling study by Takahito Mitsui · Michel Crucifix

Checklist for your thesis evaluation

Evaluating your thesis ensures that your research meets the standards of academia. Here's an elaborate checklist to guide you through this critical process.

Content and structure

Is the thesis statement clear, concise, and debatable?
Does the introduction provide sufficient background and context?
Is the literature review comprehensive, relevant, and well-organized?
Does the methodology section clearly describe and justify the research methods?
Are the results/findings presented clearly and logically?
Does the discussion interpret the results in light of the research question and existing literature?
Is the conclusion summarizing the research and suggesting future directions or implications?

Clarity and coherence

Is the writing clear and free of jargon?
Are ideas and sections logically connected and flowing?
Is there a clear narrative or argument throughout the thesis?

Research quality

Is the research question significant and relevant?
Are the research methods appropriate for the question?
Is the sample size (if applicable) adequate?
Are the data analysis techniques appropriate and correctly applied?
Are potential biases or limitations addressed?

Originality and significance

Does the thesis contribute new knowledge or insights to the field?
Is the research grounded in existing literature while offering fresh perspectives?

Formatting and presentation

Is the thesis formatted according to institutional guidelines?
Are figures, tables, and charts clear, labeled, and referenced in the text?
Is the bibliography or reference list complete and consistently formatted?
Are appendices relevant and appropriately referenced in the main text?

Grammar and language

Is the thesis free of grammatical and spelling errors?
Is the language professional, consistent, and appropriate for an academic audience?
Are quotations and paraphrased material correctly cited?

Feedback and revision

Have you sought feedback from peers, advisors, or experts in the field?
Have you addressed the feedback and made the necessary revisions?

Overall assessment

Does the thesis as a whole feel cohesive and comprehensive?
Would the thesis be understandable and valuable to someone in your field?

Ensure to use this checklist to leave no ground for doubt or missed information in your thesis.

After writing your thesis, the next step is to discuss and defend your findings verbally in front of a knowledgeable panel. You’ve to be well prepared as your professors may grade your presentation abilities.

Preparing your thesis defense

A thesis defense, also known as "defending the thesis," is the culmination of a scholar's research journey. It's the final frontier, where you’ll present their findings and face scrutiny from a panel of experts.

Typically, the defense involves a public presentation where you’ll have to outline your study, followed by a question-and-answer session with a committee of experts. This committee assesses the validity, originality, and significance of the research.

The defense serves as a rite of passage for scholars. It's an opportunity to showcase expertise, address criticisms, and refine arguments. A successful defense not only validates the research but also establishes your authority as a researcher in your field.

Here’s how you can effectively prepare for your thesis defense .

Now, having touched upon the process of defending a thesis, it's worth noting that scholarly work can take various forms, depending on academic and regional practices.

One such form, often paralleled with the thesis, is the 'dissertation.' But what differentiates the two?

Dissertation vs. Thesis

Often used interchangeably in casual discourse, they refer to distinct research projects undertaken at different levels of higher education.

To the uninitiated, understanding their meaning might be elusive. So, let's demystify these terms and delve into their core differences.

Here's a table differentiating between the two.

Wrapping up

From understanding the foundational concept of a thesis to navigating its various components, differentiating it from a dissertation, and recognizing the importance of proper citation — this guide covers it all.

As scholars and readers, understanding these nuances not only aids in academic pursuits but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the relentless quest for knowledge that drives academia.

It’s important to remember that every thesis is a testament to curiosity, dedication, and the indomitable spirit of discovery.

Good luck with your thesis writing!

Frequently Asked Questions

A thesis typically ranges between 40-80 pages, but its length can vary based on the research topic, institution guidelines, and level of study.

A PhD thesis usually spans 200-300 pages, though this can vary based on the discipline, complexity of the research, and institutional requirements.

To identify a thesis topic, consider current trends in your field, gaps in existing literature, personal interests, and discussions with advisors or mentors. Additionally, reviewing related journals and conference proceedings can provide insights into potential areas of exploration.

The conceptual framework is often situated in the literature review or theoretical framework section of a thesis. It helps set the stage by providing the context, defining key concepts, and explaining the relationships between variables.

A thesis statement should be concise, clear, and specific. It should state the main argument or point of your research. Start by pinpointing the central question or issue your research addresses, then condense that into a single statement, ensuring it reflects the essence of your paper.

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Graduate Students
Faculty & Staff
General requirements
Preparation of a thesis
Initial Thesis Submission
Thesis examiners
Evaluation of written thesis
Thesis examination failures
Doctoral oral defence
Final Thesis Submission
Thesis Writing and Support Resources
Letters of Completion/PGWP

Evaluation of a Written Thesis

Examiners are asked to evaluate the thesis in myThesis, according to the criteria in the respective thesis examiner report for a Master's or Doctoral thesis. For an example of the criteria, please see the forms: see: Master's Examiner report form ; Doctoral Examiner report form (note these forms are now integrated in myThesis).

Examiners provide an overall judgment of 'passed' or ‘not passed’, in addition to a written report. For Master's students, this evaluation determines whether or not the thesis is ready for final submission, even if minor changes are recommended. For Doctoral candidates, this evaluation determines whether or not the candidate is ready to proceed to the oral defence.

If the thesis meets the general criteria for the degree sought, as well as those listed on the examiner's report form it should be evaluated as 'Passed', even if some changes are recommended.

If the overall judgement is 'Passed', examiners are asked to provide:

A report that includes any recommendations for minor revisions to the thesis (i.e., stylistic or editorial changes that can be completed in three weeks or less).
For doctoral theses, External Examiners who will not be at the oral defence must also provide a list of questions to be asked of the candidate at the oral defence.

An evaluation of 'Not Passed' should be given if:

the need for a new study, experimentation, or significant additional research or reformulation.
the need to address major problems with the presentation of the work. Stylistic or editorial changes are not normally considered to be major revisions, but if the quality of the presentation is so poor that extensive rewriting is required, the thesis should not be passed.
At least one of the Criteria for the Evaluation of the Thesis (see Master's Examiner report form ; Doctoral Examiner report form ) is judged as unsatisfactory.

Examiners are asked to identify required changes clearly in their reports. The supervisor or another designated person will ensure that the student corrects the thesis and that it appropriately reflects the examiners' suggestions for revisions prior to re-submission of the thesis.

The candidate will normally revise and re-submit the thesis for re-assessment, usually by the same examiner. If/when review of the revised thesis is required, the Thesis Unit will contact the initial examiner to determine their availability. In rare cases, a revised thesis may be sent to a new examiner if the first examiner is not available to re-examine the thesis. For more, please see Thesis examination failures.

If the revised thesis is again ‘not passed’, the student will be withdrawn from the University unless the decision is reversed through an appeal to the Hearing Committee (Bias, Error, or Misrepresentation ).

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License . Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University .

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

Evaluation Essays: Thesis Statements

As a brilliantly aware satire, Matt Groening�s The Simpsons has effectively stirred different emotions from different factions of the culturally deadened American populace, and for this alone, it should be recognized as �quality programming.�

At a time when it seems that society is being destroyed by its own designs, it is good to be able to hold up a mirror that shows us the extent of our problems. Neither escapist nor preachy, The Simpsons provides such a satiric mirror, a metaphoric reflection of our dissolving social foundation. More than that, The Simpsons is therapeutic: to be able to laugh in the face of such problems is the ultimate catharsis.

At first and final glance, Poltergeist is simply a riveting demonstration of a movie�s power to terrify . It creates honest thrills within the confines of a PG rating, reaching for shock effects and the forced suspension of disbelief throughout the movie.

Unlike most horror flicks, Poltergeist works! Its success is due to excellent characters, music, and special effect s -- and to the fact that the story stays within the bounds of believability.

With its characters, music, and special effects, and its clearly distinguished boundaries of belief, Poltergeist is able to capture its audience with its unique thrills, allowing viewers to link their most inner-locked fears to those on the screen. Poltergeist : It knows what scares you!

Development and Evaluation of Transparent, Aligned Polycrystalline Alumina as an Infrared Window Candidate for Hypersonic Flight

Hypersonic flight is the key to unlocking a nation’s strategic advantage in this century’s military theater. Military powerhouses such as the United States, Russia, India, China, Australia, and the EU publicly possess hypersonic weapons capabilities. Such technology enables intercontinental travel orders of magnitude faster than conventional flights. A trip halfway across the world would take not twenty hours, but two. However, the level of thermal and chemical load the aircraft and these electronic equipment experience while at such high speeds cause them to fail. Thus, ceramic window materials are used to act as a barrier between the hypersonic flight environment and this sensitive electronic equipment. Such materials need to be both mechanically robust, but transparent within the relevant infrared ranges used for target detection. Single-crystal sapphire (alumina) is an infrared window material readily available, plentiful, and easy to microstructurally control and manufacture, but not optimal. Its transparency range is limited to the optical and near-infrared, while it exhibits poor mechanical and dielectric strength. Polycrystalline alumina (PCA) has recently been shown to possess more favorable infrared window characteristics as opposed to its single-crystal counterpart. This is achieved by processing using a platelet powder morphology in a single processing step – hot-pressing. Full densification (> 99.5%) of PCA samples was achieved, demonstrating maximum of 84% optical transparency, but accompanied by grain growth (60+µm), resulting in lower mechanical strength. This research thus works on a two-fold approach to minimizing the grain growth of PCA. Optical tests demonstrated favorable results for lowering isothermal temperatures to reduce grain growth. Weibull values of m = 28.8 and m = 9.7 from 4 point-flexure tests were obtained (ASTM 1161a). Thermal loading via ablation testing compared PCA samples to industry alternatives (single-crystal sapphire) and (equiaxed alumina). Ablation tests revealed the benefit of polycrystalline alumina over sapphire. The benefit of lower isothermal sintering temperatures for reduced grain growth resulted in higher peak load before failure, resulting in greater characteristic strength and minimal transmission lost during a minute of oxyacetylene heat flux exposure. Finally, additional work was done on nanoceramic MgO-Y 2 O 3 , in a ceramic-processing method like that of PCA. These findings will also be discussed.

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy
Materials Engineering

Campus location

West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Advisor/supervisor/committee co-chair, additional committee member 2, additional committee member 3, usage metrics.

Materials engineering not elsewhere classified
Hypersonic propulsion and hypersonic aerothermodynamics

COMMENTS

Evaluative Thesis Statements: Crafting and Analysis
An evaluative thesis is a concise, arguable statement that expresses a judgment or assessment about a particular subject, backed by evidence and analysis. Unlike informative theses that merely inform the reader about a topic or argumentative theses that take a position on an issue, evaluative theses go further.
7 Steps for How to Write an Evaluation Essay (Example & Template)
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.
PDF Thesis Statements Defining, Developing, and Evaluating
thesis statement is analogous to a "movie trailer" that gives readers an engaging glimpse into the main conclusion, compelling them to read further. As research progresses and the broader
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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.
Thesis
Thesis. Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore ...
The Evaluation Essay
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Evaluation Essays
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. 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.
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An evaluative thesis should make an overall judgment about the topic and preview the criteria or main points of the essay. Here is an example: The Washington Park Zoo is a wonderful attraction to ...
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The evaluation essay is one of the more common types of advanced academic writing. While a basic research paper or essay asks a student to gather and present information, the evaluation essay goes a step further by asking students to draw conclusions from the information they have researched and present an informed opinion on a subject. The role of opinion in the evaluation essay can be ...
Evaluation Essay: Tips, Guide, and 100 Top Ideas
Create a thesis statement. This is an important element of your essay as it contains the general purpose of the evaluation. In the thesis, you need to reflect on the criteria being used to judge the subject matter and state its value. Your statement should look apparent and to the point.
How to Write an Evaluation Essay: Easy Guide & Examples
A good evaluative thesis must inform readers what to expect and its impact and determine an essay's focus. Also, a strong thesis must state evaluative arguments. Here is a proper evaluation essay thesis example: Vaping is highly practical, inexpensive, and safe compared to cigarette smoking, and following these reasons, it is a recommendable ...
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Evaluative writing generally exhibits the following: Puts the writer in the position as expert or trusted evaluator. Makes a judgment about something using facts and evidence rather than feelings. Uses specific criteria that are relevant, common, or somewhat universal. Organizes the analysis based on specified criteria; avoids irrelevant ...
PDF Writing a Strong Thesis Statement
Evaluative Thesis • The evaluative thesis introduces one or more subjects to be evaluated, makes an evaluative judgment about the subject(s), and suggests or states the specific criteria upon which it/they will be thoroughly evaluated throughout the body of the essay. Note that an evaluative essay can focus on either positive or negative
Definition and Examples of Evaluation Essays
An evaluation essay is a composition that offers value judgments about a particular subject according to a set of criteria. Also called evaluative writing, evaluative essay or report, and critical evaluation essay . An evaluation essay or report is a type of argument that provides evidence to justify a writer's opinions about a subject.
What Is a Thesis?
Revised on April 16, 2024. A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master's program or a capstone to a bachelor's degree. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete.
NROC Developmental English Foundations
Evaluative Thesis Statements. An evaluative thesis A statement that presents an opinion about the topic., on the other hand, is a claim that provokes opposition. It makes a judgment call. It declares one subject to be better or worse than another. The two subjects are no longer equal.
How to Write 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. Identify your topic
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Evaluative writing is a type of writing intended to judge something according to a set of criteria. For instance, your health might be evaluated by an insurance company before issuing a policy. ... Create a thesis statement. Thesis statements help you stay focused and help your reader to understand what is being evaluated or judged.
What is a thesis
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How to Write a Thesis Statement
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
Evaluation of a Written Thesis
Evaluation of a Written Thesis. Examiners are asked to evaluate the thesis in myThesis, according to the criteria in the respective thesis examiner report for a Master's or Doctoral thesis. For an example of the criteria, please see the forms: see: Master's Examiner report form; Doctoral Examiner report form (note these forms are now integrated ...
What Is Evaluation?: Perspectives of How Evaluation Differs (or Not
The definition problem in evaluation has been around for decades (as early as Carter, 1971), and multiple definitions of evaluation have been offered throughout the years (see Table 1 for some examples). One notable definition is provided by Scriven (1991) and later adopted by the American Evaluation Association (): "Evaluation is the systematic process to determine merit, worth, value, or ...
Sample Thesis Statements for Evaluation Essays
Evaluation Essays: Thesis Statements . As a brilliantly aware satire, Matt Groening's The Simpsons has effectively stirred different emotions from different factions of the culturally deadened American populace, and for this alone, it should be recognized as "quality programming.". At a time when it seems that society is being destroyed by its own designs, it is good to be able to hold ...
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Development and Evaluation of Transparent, Aligned Polycrystalline
Hypersonic flight is the key to unlocking a nation's strategic advantage in this century's military theater. Military powerhouses such as the United States, Russia, India, China, Australia, and the EU publicly possess hypersonic weapons capabilities. Such technology enables intercontinental travel orders of magnitude faster than conventional flights. A trip halfway across the world would ...

How to write Evaluative Thesis

Definition of an Evaluative Thesis

The Importance of Having a Clear Thesis Statement

Understanding the Basics

What is a Thesis Statement?

The Essence of a Thesis Statement:

Different Types of Thesis Statements

The Role of an Evaluative Thesis in Academic Writing

Characteristics of an Evaluative Thesis

Selecting Your Topic

Choosing a Subject for Evaluation

Narrowing Down Your Focus

The Relevance of Your Topic to Your Audience

Crafting Your Evaluative Thesis

Developing a Clear and Concise Thesis Statement

Including the Subject of Evaluation and the Criteria

Avoiding Vague or Overly Broad Statements

Providing Evidence and Support

Structuring Your Essay

Tips for Effective Writing

Examples of Evaluative Theses

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

1. What is an Evaluation Essay?

Get a Pdf of this article for class

2. How to write an Evaluation Essay

In order to appear balanced you should:

Use an Evaluation Criteria

3. How to come up with an Evaluation Argument

4. Evaluation Essay Outline (with Examples)

4.1 How to Write your Introduction

4.2 Example Introduction

4.3 How to Write your Body Paragraphs

4.4 First Body Paragraph: Overview of your Subject

4.5 First Body Paragraph Example

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

4.7 Evaluation Paragraph Example

4.8 How to write your Conclusion

4.9 Concluding Argument Example Paragraph

5. Evaluation Essay Example Template

6. 23+ Good Evaluation Essay Topics

6.1 Evaluation of Impact

6.2 Evaluation of a Scholarly Text or Theory

6.3 Evaluation of Art and Literature

6.4 Evaluation of a Product or Service

7. Concluding Advice

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Evaluation Essay - Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

What is an Evaluation Essay?

What is the Purpose of an Evaluation Essay?

Evaluation Essay Structure

How to Start an Evaluation Essay?

Step 1. Choose an Interesting Topic

Step 2. Set the Evaluation Essay Criteria

Step 3. Collect Evidence for Your Judgment

Step 4. Decide the Essay Structure

Step 5. Craft the Essay Outline

Step 6. Declare Your Thesis Statement

How to Write an Evaluation Essay?

Step 1. Write the Introduction

Step 2. Draft the Body Section

Step 3. Write the Conclusion

Step 4. Proofread, Revise, and Edit

How to Format Your Evaluation Essay?

Evaluation Essay Examples

Evaluation Essay Topics For College Students

Evaluation Essay vs. Review

Frequently Asked Questions

2. What are the 4 types of evaluation?

Keep reading

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence)

Arguable thesis with analytical claim

Arguable thesis with normative claim

Questions to ask about your thesis

19 Evaluation Essays

The Purpose of Evaluative Writing

Five Characteristics of an Evaluative Essay

1. Presenting the subject.

2. Asserting an overall judgment.

3. Giving Reasons and Support