OVERVIEW
For this writing assignment, you will compose an Evaluation Essay of 6-8 paragraphs, evaluating a product or piece of technology that you currently use. You might consider comparing your item to a competitor’s version of the same item. Decide on the criteria you will use to judge your item, such as cost, efficiency, etc. Although you will use your own personal experience, you may also need to conduct some research. Imagine that you are writing this for an academic journal on popular culture, so your purpose may be to inform, entertain, or persuade your audience. See some example items below.
Once you’ve chosen a product, brainstorm some important things people might consider when evaluating it. Make a list of 4-6 criteria for evaluation and some questions you can use to think about whether your product meets the criteria. Here is an example:
Topic: Impossible Whopper at Burger King (a plant-based burger manufactured by a company called Impossible Foods)
Criteria/Questions:
1. The companies (both Impossible Foods and Burger King): How long has Impossible Foods been around, and what is their company mission and reputation? How long has Burger King been around, and what is their company mission and reputation? How does a partnership between these two very different companies mean, and how are they framing it for the public? How does this product compare to products that other food/fast food companies are trying to sell right now?
2. Social impact: Does choosing this product over other fast food items contribute to some kind of better world, and if so how?
3. Price: How much does it cost, and does that seem reasonable compared to other similar products? If it’s more/less, what explains the difference in price?
4. Availability: How easy is it to get one of these? Can everyone get them? Who is left out of the audience/market for the product? Who has access to it? How does that compare to the availability of other fast food items?
5. Nutrition: How does the nutritional value compare to other sandwiches? To a regular burger? To some other fast food choice (like a salad, for example)?
6. Taste/presentation: How good is it compared to other competing products? How does it look? How does it taste?
Refer to C. 16 in NFG (The Norton Field Guide to Writing) for more assistance on this writing strategy. See especially the example essays, key features, and ways of organizing information on p. 203-209. Provide an introduction paragraph with an effective thesis statement. Use effective topic sentences for body paragraphs, and provide helpful transition words and phrases to guide readers. End your essay with a brief conclusion paragraph.
Review a sample student essay here: Sample Evaluation Essay.pdf Click for more options
DETAILS
Your draft should be typed following MLA guidelines. Include a heading, a creative title, and a Works Cited page. Your draft should contain 6-8 paragraphs (about 5-6 pages or 1250-1500 words total).
Optional: Complete a Rhetorical Writing Situation Cheat Sheet: Rhetorical Writing Situation Cheat Sheet.pdf Click for more options
Optional: Create a tentative outline to organize your ideas before composing your essay: Basic Essay Outline Template.pdf Click for more options
Attach your rough draft to the Peer Review Discussion Forum (5 points).
Complete two peer edits of your classmates’ drafts following the instructions (20 points).
Review your peers’ comments/edits. Edit and proofread your draft.
Submit your final draft as a file attachment to the Evaluation Essay Submission Box (100 points).
Sample Items
Coffee pot
Backpack
Weight loss program
Skin care product
Cooking untensil
Workout tool or gear
Electronic gadget
Baby item
Shoes
Gym membership