Article links:

“Analysis/Evaluation” provided by the authors

“Reflective Writing Prompt: Analysis and Evaluation Assignment” by the authors

Chapter Preview

  • Explain the components of an analysis and evaluation essay.
  • Recognize reasons to engage in evaluative writing.

Analysis/Evaluation

provided by the authors

Evaluative writing is a specific genre that analyzes a subject in order to make and support a “judgment call,” a judgment that is based on specific, clear criteria. That judgment – which is your reasoned opinion – becomes the heart of the essay’s thesis, clearly stating whether the subject is successful or not based on how it meets established criteria.

You might engage in this type of writing in order to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of one item or as a way of comparing two or more similar items in order to make a decision: which is more effective, which does a better job? To fully answer those questions requires practicing close reading to understand the text’s rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, genre) using analysis to select criteria (or standards) to form a judgment (evaluation). That judgment must be supported by specific details drawn from the subjects, and thoroughly explained to justify your conclusion.

Important Concepts

evaluative writing

rhetorical situation

Reflective Writing Prompt

ANALYSIS Reflection Assignment

Develop a 300-word (minimum) response that addresses ALL of the questions in the list below. To focus your response, we would like to focus specifically on Genre and Rhetorical Situation. An effective response will likely include examples from such sources as your own writing, classroom discussions, assignment guides, and class readings. Be sure to take time to explain your thinking.
What did you learn about your own writing habits and yourself as a writer while doing this writing project?
Name one thing from one of other reading assignments for this project that (1) helped you OR (2) got in your way? Or both? Use details and explain why.
What is a writing strategy we’ve talked about that you used to help you write? Explain why you chose this one and why you think it was so effective in completing your writing assignment. Point to examples from your own paper to help support and explain your point.
What has learning to focus on the rhetorical situation taught you about writing? How can you apply this to future academic or non-academic writing situations?
What has looking at analysis as a genre taught you about writing and about yourself as a writer? How can you apply this to future academic or non-academic writing situations?

Licenses and Attributions

CC LICENSED CONTENT, ORIGINAL

Composing Ourselves and Our World,  Provided by: the authors. License: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

MULTIMEDIA CONTENT INCLUDED

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Composing Ourselves and Our World Copyright © 2019 by Auburn University at Montgomery is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book