For our first essay, you will write a categorical evaluation argument of approximately 800-1000 words (probably around 4-6 paragraphs). You should organize this argument using the Classical Argument structure described in Ch. 14.
Choosing a Topic
A categorical evaluation claim asserts that something is a good or bad example of its kind. This is different from an evaluation that just examines whether something is good or bad morally or whether something has good or bad effects!
You can evaluate just about anything. Just be sure you can clearly identify both the thing you are evaluating (X) and the category in which the thing belongs (Y). Your claim should the model “X is a good (or bad) Y.” For example:
Thing: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
Category: Sci-fi novel series
Possible claim: The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells is a good sci-fi novel series.
A few other fun categories to consider:
Restaurants
Hobbies
Jobs
Places to live
Schools
Products
Media (books, movies, TV shows)
Games
Video games
You are encouraged to choose a topic that won’t require you to do any outside research. The more familiar you are with the thing you’re evaluating, the better; you can draw your evidence from personal experience/observation. If you do end up using outside research in this essay, you should cite it in either MLA 8th/9th edition or APA 7th edition. Do your best using the tools you have; we will delve more into citations in the next essay.
Note: It is possible that you wrote an evaluation essay for the final essay in your Comp 1 class. It is also likely that you’ve written other evaluation essays in the past. This is a good place to remind you that you must write NEW work for this course; recycling work from previous classes without your instructor’s express permission is considered Academic Dishonesty.
Final drafts will be graded according to the following rubric*:
The essay focuses on a clear categorical evaluation claim that is supported by 2-4 clearly and thoroughly developed lines of reasoning and evidence, including effective responses to opposing views. /35
The essay effectively uses a classical structure (traditional, revised, or blended). /20
The essay is written in appropriately academic style. /20
The author shows attention to detail, avoiding careless mistakes in grammar or documentation*. /15
You may earn bonus points for the following:
-Creative and original topic selection
-Excellent uses of rhetorical devices
-A particularly strong title
-Any other thing that’s not required but is impressive
(Total points for essay not to exceed 90)
/0
Total
/90
*Essays with severe errors in grammar – such as frequent run-on sentences, sentence fragments, or subject-verb agreement errors – will receive a zero with the option for the writer to make corrections and resubmit for partial credit; details and a deadline for resubmission will be posted in the feedback on the essay. Essays that violate the Academic Honesty Policy will be dealt with according to the following procedures:
Academic misconduct (accidental plagiarism due to errors in documentation) – The essay will be initially given a zero. The student will be given one week from the posting of the grade to make the necessary corrections and resubmit the essay for credit minus 10% of the earned points for a first offense, minus 30% for a second offense, minus 50% for a third offense, and minus 70% for a fourth offense.
Academic dishonesty (intentional plagiarism/cheating) – On a first offense, the essay will receive a zero, and the student will be given one week from the posting of the grade to submit original work for the assignment for 50% credit. On a second offense, the essay will receive a zero with no option to resubmit. On a third offense, the student will fail the course.
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