Evaluation of Argument Essay
Bruce220
Essay3articlesandassignmentpresentation3.pptTWENGE
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- Evidence: she presents a lot of data, both of research she has conducted and research conducted by others
- Focus: she is only focused on schools, never veering to other areas; at the same time, there can be limited understanding of the topic because she gives no context—can makes readers assume schools alone cause Narcissism
- Examples: specific, and some taken from current events so relatable to a general audience
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- Definitions: she has clear definitions of concepts such as self-esteem and Narcissism
- Development: Overall solid, but she introduces a new idea in the conclusion never mentioned before and not given development even there
- Engagement with audience: Her dry presentation of statistics is geared more to colleagues than a general audience
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SCHUMAKER
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- Evidence: He is an authority as he is himself a psychologist. But he does not mention any source for any other claim outside his field, which would be needed.
- Focus: he casts a wider net, but that allows him to provide a context as to where Narcissism originates (western consumer culture, individualism etc.)
- Examples: taken from many facets of everyday life (shopping, media, western social life) and thus easily relatable
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- Definitions: while he mentions how the self-esteem movement started differently, he eventually conflates self-esteem and Narcissism, which can cause confusion
- Development: He develops all his ideas in the main essay and provides closure in the end, showing a clear plan
- Engagement with audience: starts with stories in the introduction and even keeps myth of Narcissus for the end to provide engagement.
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EVALUATION
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ELEMENTS OF EVALUATION
- Overall claim (thesis): recommendation
- Each body paragraph will have three elements:
- The criterion (standard) examined
- Judgment for this criterion (standard)
- Evidence for the criterion (standard)
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EVALUATIVE THESIS: A SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION
- Twenge writes a more effective argument than Schumaker
- Schumaker writes a more effective argument than Twenge
- Twenge’s essay would be more beneficial in a college textbook
- Schumaker’s essay would be more beneficial in a college textbook
- The recommendation (thesis) has to take a position on the better of the two as in the above examples
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NOT COMPARISON/CONTRAST
- Comparison/contrast essays simply tell the readers the similarities and differences. They do not judge based on specific standards. They simply tell us what is already there.
- In an evaluation we have standards and we look to see whether the item has met them or not. We look for what is missing and what is there.
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EXAMPLES
- Writes X uses clear definitions (standard—clear definitions together with judgment: clear)
- Writer Y engages the audience with stories and relevant examples (standard—audience engagement together with judgment: positive)
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EVIDENCE
- Evidence will come directly from the essay you have chosen as better, though to make a point you can occasionally mention the other essay also.
- “Writer X clarifies the difference between self-esteem and Narcissism on page …., unlike Writer Y …
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JUDGMENTS
- The overall claim is supported by the judgments for each separate criterion. They serve as topic sentences.
- Include both positive and negative judgments, so the readers will know you are fair. You need a concession paragraph
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DRAFTING
- Evaluation is a form of argument. Readers must be convinced. Another reason for the concession paragraph
- Offer support, present yourself as unbiased, anticipate any objections.
- No matter the subject, the paper must be interesting. A parade of facts will simply turn your readers away.
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