Evaluative Essays

Evaluative essays convey a writer’s judgments to readers who share an interest in a subject. The criteria that direct the writer’s evaluation are usually identified early and are influenced by several factors, including the subject itself, the writer’s purpose and perspective, prevailing opinions, and readers’ knowledge of the subject. Unlike reviews, which usually focus on a single place or thing, or reports, which typically assess a particular project or initiative for a narrowly defined audience, evaluative essays often examine broader questions or issues for a more general group of readers.

In most cases, evidence from sources (such as published articles, personal interviews, direct observation, Web sites, and government documents) provides the basis for determining whether the subject of an evaluative essay measures up to the criteria. For example, details about the cost of an inner-city summer jobs program might be obtained from an interview with the program director or from published government reports.

Readers of evaluative essays — whether instructors, other students, politicians, or members of a particular profession — expect the writer’s ideas to be well organized, well supported, and easy to read. Readers also expect the evaluation to be presented fairly and honestly, although they usually realize that writers will be influenced by their purposes, personal beliefs, and experiences.