The Writing Assignment

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Write an essay evaluating a specific subject. Examine your subject closely, and make a judgment about it. Give reasons for your judgment that are based on widely recognized criteria or standards for evaluating a subject like yours. Support your reasons with examples and other details primarily from your subject.

This Guide to Writing is designed to help you compose your own evaluation and apply what you have learned from reading other essays in the same genre. This Starting Points chart will help you find answers to questions you might have about composing an essay evaluating a subject. Use the chart to find the guidance you need, when you need it.

STARTING POINTS: JUSTIFYING AN EVALUATION

Click the Starting Points chart to download.

A Well-Presented Subject How do I come up with a subject to write about?

  • Consider possible topics: Offering a mixed judgment.

  • Consider possible topics: Evaluating a text.

  • Consider possible topics: Evaluating a technology-related subject.

  • Choose a subject to evaluate.

  • Test Your Choice: Choosing a Subject

  • Assess your subject and consider how to present it to your readers.

How can I present my subject clearly and convincingly?

  • Determine the writer’s purpose and audience.

  • Assess the genre’s basic features: A well-presented subject.

  • A Well-Presented Subject: Providing Information

  • A Well-Presented Subject: Introducing a Complicated Subject

  • A Well-Presented Subject: Identifying the Subject

  • Assess your subject and consider how to present it to your readers.

A Well-Supported Judgment How do I come up with a thesis statement?

  • Assess the genre’s basic features: A well-supported judgment.

  • Formulate a working thesis stating your overall judgment.

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How do I construct an argument supporting my judgment?

  • Assess the genre’s basic features: A well-supported judgment.

  • A Well-Supported Judgment: Basing a Judgment on Criteria

  • A Well-Supported Judgment: Defining Criteria

  • A Well-Supported Judgment: Providing Supporting Evidence

  • Develop the reasons and evidence supporting your judgment.

  • Research your evaluation.
An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Judgments How do I respond to possible objections and alternative judgments?

  • Assess the genre’s basic features: An effective response to objections and alternative judgments.

  • An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Judgments: Conceding and Refuting Alternative Judgments

  • An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Judgments: Singling Out a Comment for Response

  • An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Judgments: Appealing to Shared Values

  • Respond to a likely objection or alternative judgment.

A Clear, Logical Organization How can I help my readers follow my argument?

  • Assess the genre’s basic features: A clear, logical organization.

  • A Clear, Logical Organization: Cueing Readers

  • A Clear, Logical Organization: Using Comparison and Contrast

  • A Clear, Logical Organization: Creating Coherence

  • Organize your draft to appeal to your readers.