Learning from Other Writers

On the following pages are evaluations by a professional and a student. To help you analyze the first reading, look at the notes in the margin. They identify features such as the thesis, or main idea, the criteria for evaluation, and the evidence supporting the writer’s judgment, all typical of essays that evaluate.

As You Read These Evaluations

As you read these essays, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Do you consider the writer qualified to evaluate the subject he or she chose? What biases and prejudices might the writer bring to the task?
  2. What criteria for evaluation does the writer establish? Are these reasonable standards for evaluating the subject?
  3. What is the writer’s assessment of the subject? Does the writer provide sufficient evidence to convince you of his or her evaluation?