ENGL 1101:

Writing to Evaluate

In the first units, we used topics that would allow us to review the basics of essay writing: consideration of rhetorical elements such as purpose and audience, use of strategic and specific detail, varieties of essay structure, language, voice, etc. Now we will transfer what we’ve learned to a different type of writing, evaluation. The topics for this unit ask you to evaluate something according to criteria you’ll develop and then use in support of your opinion.

Suggested Topics

Write one of the types of reviews (critiques, evaluations) listed below, or choose a similar topic of your own, making sure your criteria are clear in your essay. Remember that the final draft will be a minimum of 4 pages.

• Restaurant
• Electronic device (such as cell phone, stereo system)
• Product
• School
• Software
• Video game
• Performer (singer, dancer, band)
• Book
• Movie

You can pretend you’re a reporter who’ll publish your article in the paper or online. You can even pretend you work for Consumer Reports or that you’re the health inspector. Just make sure you’re evaluating and not just simply reporting.

Specifications

Make sure you go through all the assigned steps of the process, since each assigned step will figure into your process grade. Remember to turn in all of your work related to the essay. Use MLA headings, etc. Length=the usual, onto the 4^th page.

Packet, as usual = Letter to Reader with final draft on top, peer workshop drafts, all other drafts and planning and in-class activities related to the essay. All of this should be held together with a binder clip. Packet is due by class time on the due date.