Evaluation argument
speedy 
EvaluationArguments.pptxEvaluation Arguments
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HW
Choose which story you want to evaluate.
Come prepared to read the story in class and begin working on your draft.
By the end of the next class, you should have a thesis prepared – you will have to post it in the Discussion Board before you leave.
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Evaluation Argument
Draft due Wednesday March 2nd for Peer Review
Evaluation Argument due Wed March 9th
Length: 600-750 words/2-3 pages double-spaced (not including Works Cited) in MLA format, 12-point font, research required
Source limit: One (1) source minimum
Evaluation arguments rate their subjects on a scale from positive to negative. They make a claim about the quality of something. We can think them as answering the question “How good or bad is it?”
You must include a “Works Cited” page and use correct MLA format for in-text (parenthetical) citations.
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Your Options
“A Good Man is Hard to Find” Flannery O’Connor
“New York Day Women” – Edwidge Danticat
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The key to convincing other people that your judgement is sound is establishing the criteria you will use to make your evaluation. For our purposes, you should think of two or three criteria.
If your readers accept your criteria, it’s likely they will agree with your conclusions.
Use evaluation arguments to set out criteria and then judge something to be good or bad according to those criteria.
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Evaluative claims argue that something is GOOD (or BAD) because it meets certain criteria.
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Basic Claim Structure
Something is good (or bad) because it meets certain criteria
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Use aesthetic, moral, and practical criteria for deciding how good or bad a text, a place, an artifact, or a policy is
Some evaluation arguments rely more heavily on certain types of criteria than others.
For example: a movie review (Cabin in the Woods is a good movie) is likely to focus most closely on aesthetic considerations such as engaging characters, an exciting story, and beautiful cinematography.
Ethical considerations may be relevant—say, if the film is exceptionally violent or celebrates antisocial behavior (Fight Club)—but usually don’t predominate in a movie review.
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Evaluation arguments focus on what we value
If your criteria do not appeal to the values of your audience, your readers will not feel that your evaluation is accurate.
Depending on your audience, you might use all three kinds of criteria, or you might focus more on one or two kinds.
Aesthetic, moral, practical (3 types of criteria)
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Aesthetic
Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art. It examines aesthetic values, often expressed through judgments of taste. Aesthetics covers both natural and artificial sources of aesthetic experience and judgment
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Moral
Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.
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Practical
of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
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Say you want to argue to keep an old building intact
The argument that a museum will bring in money is based on practical considerations.
The argument that the stonework of the building is priceless is based on aesthetic (artistic) considerations.
The argument that an old commercial building deserves the same treatment as other old buildings is based on fairness, or moral concerns.
If your city is in the middle of a budget crisis, it might be wise to stress the practical, economic benefits of a museum.
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Because we are evaluating short stories, you should focus on moral and aesthetic criteria.
Moral: What message is this story putting across? Is it a good or bad message?
Aesthetic: Is it a good story? Meaning, does it show a character going on a journey that leaves them changed?
How do we define change?
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You have to make assumptions about what your audience will value most as they consider your evaluation.
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What is a short story?
A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. Although a short story has much in common with a novel, it is written with much greater precision.
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Criteria to consider when evaluating a short story
Setting
Characterization: dialogue, relatability, how human are they?
Well-Structured Plot: The main character should undergo some kind of change.
Conflict/Tension
Theme/Lesson/Message
Style
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Setting
Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place. In a short story there are fewer settings compared to a novel. The time is more limited. Ask yourself the following questions:
How is the setting created? Consider geography, weather, time of day, social conditions, etc.
What role does setting play in the story? Is it an important part of the plot or theme? Or is it just a backdrop against which the action takes place?
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Characterization
Characterization deals with how the characters in the story are described. In short stories there are usually fewer characters compared to a novel. They usually focus on one central character or protagonist. Ask yourself the following:
Who is the main character?
Are the main character and other characters described through dialogue – by the way they speak (dialect or slang for instance)?
Has the author described the characters by physical appearance, thoughts and feelings, and interaction (the way they act towards others)?
Does the author SHOW instead of tell.
Are they static/flat characters who do not change?
Are they dynamic/round characters who DO change?
Are the characters believable?
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Plot and Structure
The plot is the main sequence of events that make up the story. In short stories the plot is usually centered around one experience or significant moment. Consider the following questions:
What is the most important event?
How is the plot structured? Is it linear, chronological or does it move around?
Is the plot believable?
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Conflict and Tension
Conflict or tension is usually the heart of the short story and is related to the main character. In a short story there is usually one main struggle.
How would you describe the main conflict?
Is it an internal conflict within the character?
Is it an external conflict caused by the surroundings or environment the main character finds himself/herself in?
Is it an engaging conflict?
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Theme (message)
The theme is the main idea, lesson, or message in the short story. It may be an abstract idea about the human condition, society, or life. Ask yourself:
What is the moral of the story?
How is this moral expressed?
Do you consider it a good or relatable message?
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Style
The author’s style has to do with the his or her vocabulary, use of imagery (description), tone, or the feeling of the story. It has to do with the author’s attitude toward the subject. In some short stories the tone can be ironic, humorous, cold, or dramatic.
Is the author’s language full of figurative language?
What images are used?
Does the author use a lot of symbolism? Metaphors (comparisons that do not use “as” or “like”) or similes (comparisons that use “as” or “like”)?
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Your thesis statement will look something like this:
- Flannery O’Connor’s “A Good Man is Hard to Find”/ Edwidge Danticat’s “New York Day Women” is a good/bad story because of X, Y, and Z.
X, Y, and Z are the criteria you will use to evaluate the story. Make sure you are as specific as possible.
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The Depth of Diablero: It’s not Just Another Horror Show
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Let’s try it together with this short film
One Man Band - https://youtu.be/01GY7zYN-ps
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