14 Evaluation Topic and Outline

Dr. Karen Palmer

Step 1: Choose a Topic

Your first step in writing an evaluation is to choose a topic. While many students might immediately think about reviewing a movie, I’d like you to stick to more straightforward topics in this first journey into academic evaluations. Your topic should belong to one of the following categories:

  • A restaurant or a business
  • A product (cell phone, car, blender, etc)
  • A service (doctor, cell phone service, etc)

You should choose a subject that you can make a confident judgment about, so think about your areas of expertise. You also want to be sure to choose something that is appropriate for the academic situation. In addition, be sure that your topic is sufficiently narrow. In others words, don’t do a review of cell phones in general, but a particular model. Instead of Wal-Mart in general, review a particular location.

This video provides a good overview of writing an evaluation essay:

 

Elements of an Evaluation

When writing an evaluation, there are three distinct elements that must be included: presenting the subject, asserting an overall judgment, and giving clear reasons and support. In addition, when writing an evaluation, the writer should consider counterarguments and his/her own credibility. The following sections discuss these five elements of an evaluation.

Present the Subject

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. 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 (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.

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.

Assert 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 because…”

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 up front, creating a map in the reader’s mind that will help him follow the reasoning in the essay.

The thesis, then gives readers two important pieces of information: your primary argument and your reasons. Throughout your paper, you want to make sure that you focus on supporting your argument (don’t switch to another argument or change your mind half-way through your essay). In addition, make sure the reasons given in the body of the paper are the same as those in the thesis and that you cover them in the same order. Each paragraph should clearly reference back to your thesis.

Give Clear Reasons and Solid Support

To create an effective evaluation, the writer must explain and justify his/her evaluation using reasons that are recognized by readers as appropriate. While reasons are listed in the thesis, the support for the argument primarily occurs in the argument section of the paper, which should be the most extensive part of the paper.

Reasons should reflect values or standards typical for the subject. If a writer uses a 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 comfortably seating all members of the 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.

Example

The maker of the following video gives a demonstration of these three elements of an evaluation. He begins by presenting the subject–telling his viewers exactly what restaurant he’s reviewing and giving details so they can locate it. He states a clear evaluation of a restaurant, then follows that evaluation by discussing specific reasons for his review. Each specific reason is supported by evidence.

Counterargue

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.

Here’s a short video that explains what a counterargument is and how to create a strong one:

Though counterarguments can enhance your argument, it’s important not to make one up just for the sake of having one. For example, if you are reviewing McDonald’s, it’s feasible that an opponent might say that the food can be unhealthy. In this instance, addressing this argument in your counterargument can be a good way to strengthen your evaluation. However, it would not be helpful to bring up something that your readers are not even thinking about (like that hot coffee lawsuit back in the 90s).

Establish Credibility and Authority 

A writer’s credibility and authority leads 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 care, more experience might be necessary.

Earlier in this text, we talked about the importance of infusing your writing with your personality. Establishing credibility and authority is a big part of doing that, and it’s not just something that you need to do in your writing. In fact, it’s something that you will likely rely on throughout your life. Watch this short video on the importance of authority and credibility for businesses

Step 2. Create an Outline

This video illustrates how it’s possible to create an outline based on your personal opinion alone. Please note that locals pronounce New Braunfels “New Brawn-fulls” and McAdoo’s “Mac-uh-doos.”

Here is a sample outline based on the video above (Feel free to use this as a template!):

Example Outline

  1. Introduction
    1. Hook
    2. McAdoo’s is a restaurant in New Braunfels, TX
    3. Thesis: McAdoo’s is a fantastic family restaurant because it offers young and old alike a great atmosphere, wonderful customer service, and a fantastic menu.
  2. Info about McAdoo’s (McAdoo’s is a new restaurant in one of the oldest German settlements in Texas.
    1. Location–New Braunfels, TX
    2. History–old post office, restored
    3. Type of food
  3. One of the best things about McAdoo’s is the atmosphere. From the moment you step out of your car until you take your seat, McAdoo’s exudes charm.
    1. Walking up to the restaurant–cool exterior
    2. Lobby–original post office doors, etc
    3. Tables–great decor–memorabilia from NB history
  4. Once you’ve been seated, you’ll notice the superb service offered at this establishment.
    1. prompt, courteous service
    2. refills, bread
    3. taking care of complaints–all you can eat lobster out–so price reduced
  5. Of course, the food is scrumptious.
    1. bread
    2. seafood
    3. land lovers
  6. 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.

Attribution:

Content created by Dr. Karen Palmer. Licensed CC BY NC.

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