5 Examples of Evaluative Essays
As the name implies, an evaluation essay evaluates anything – typically an idea, a work of art, or a product. Evaluation essays are common in the academic world.
Writing an evaluation essay or evaluation paper is a valuable skill that will be useful for you in your studies and future career. There are many different types of evaluation essays, but they all have a few things in common.
The following are five examples of evaluative essays that students can use to learn.
1. Evaluating a Work of Art
It is one of the most common types of evaluation essays. To evaluate a work of art, you need to have a personal perspective on the work. A good way of doing this is by researching other scholars’ theories about the work before writing your own.
An example of art worth evaluating is the Mona Lisa, as it is one of the most famous works of art in history.
An Evaluation Essay on The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is a masterpiece by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. The painting is one of the most famous paintings in history, and many aspects of its composition have been studied and analyzed by art historians.
Art analysts have identified several symbols in the painting, including a mysterious smile on the woman’s face, the veil over her head, and her hands. There is no way to know for sure what da Vinci thought when he painted it. Analysts have come up with many ideas about the true meaning behind the painting.
Some critics of The Mona Lisa argue that it was not an original composition by Leonardo but was completed by da Vinci’s apprentice Salai in the master’s workshop.
Others think that the painting is actually of Lisa del Giocondo, a Florentine merchant’s wife. Yet others believe that the painting was created as a commission from another Italian nobleman. And that the woman in the painting represents his wife.
There are many theories about the meaning of the symbols in The Mona Lisa. Some indicate that the enigmatic smile is an indication that the painting was completed in 1503; this is when Giuliano de’ Medici was murdered.
However, some scholars think that the painting was completed in 1506 when de’ Medici was murdered. Also, that da Vinci changed the date of his work to avoid controversy.
There are indeed numerous theories about The Mona Lisa. However, it is difficult to know which one of these theories is true. The symbols within the painting seem to tell different stories. Scholars disagree about their meanings.
The Mona Lisa is a work of art that deserves to be evaluated. This painting is best understood and appreciated when it is viewed as a work of art. If it is analyzed for its meaning, then a lot of controversies may arise.
According to analysts, the Mona Lisa portrays a woman who appears to be holding something back. Her enigmatic smile suggests that she is hiding her true feelings.
The Mona Lisa is a work of art that holds many secrets. I feel as if the painting should be appreciated for its beauty without overthinking it.
This piece of art contains many symbols that have no clear meaning. The painting cannot be understood unless one views it as an object to be appreciated, not studied.
Nighthawks by American artist Edward Hopper
Nighthawks is an iconic painting by American artist Edward Hopper. It is a work of art that is worth evaluating because it has inspired many artists and authors. It has been referenced in several novels, plays, and films.
The painting depicts a scene in a downtown diner at night, as viewed from outside. It has been interpreted as representing the loneliness and isolation of a society that is increasingly becoming mechanized.
It is one of the most famous paintings in the United States. Highlights of Nighthawks include a couple sitting at a counter and two women sitting at a table.
This piece of art is best interpreted as portraying the loneliness and isolation of a society more concerned with business than people.
According to art analysts, this painting is best understood by viewing it as a work of art. It has many interpretations, but it is best appreciated within the context of its creation period.
Nighthawks portrays a diner scene at night, as seen from outside the establishment. The scene is populated by a couple of women and one man sitting at separate tables.
Nighthawks is a work of art that holds many secrets. I feel as if this painting should be understood by viewing it as an object to be appreciated. Otherwise, studying it would be complicated.
2. Evaluating A Movie
Another common type of evaluative essay is evaluating a movie. When writing about a movie, you can consider many aspects, such as its acting, directing, and cinematography.
An example of a movie that is worth evaluating is the Harry Potter series. The films were adapted from J.K. Rowling’s famous novels about Harry Potter’s eponymous friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
An Evaluation Essay on the Harry Potter Film Series
Harry Potter is a series of epic fantasy novels written by J.K. Rowling about a young wizard named Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The novels revolve around the idea of good versus evil and how Harry overcomes many obstacles.
The Harry Potter novels were later adapted into a film series. The films were directed by David Yates, and Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were cast as the main characters.
The novels have inspired many people for their ideas of good versus evil. However, it is difficult to say if the movies are worth watching. There are many reasons to watch them, but also many reasons not to.
One reason why Harry Potter is worth watching is because of the series’ cinematography. The lighting, angles, and color are very well-done. Another reason is because of the costumes used in the films. They are accurate representations of what is worn in the novels.
The Harry Potter book series and film adaptations are worth watching for their cinematography and costumes. However, some factors make it hard to enjoy watching them.
One reason why Harry Potter is not worth watching is because of the character development within the films. Even though the actors look similar to their book counterparts, they don’t act like them at all. Another reason is because of the directing. It emphasizes unimportant aspects and leaves out key details.
Although the Harry Potter movies are good, it is difficult to say if they are great. The films are directed well, but the main characters seem to always have their heads in a book. I feel there are many missed opportunities within the movies when they could have included more exciting characters.
The Social Network Movie
This movie is worth watching because of the director and actors. The way it was filmed and acted out was great, and many important scenes were well done.
The Social Network is a film released in 2010 that David Fincher directed. It had an all-star cast, including Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg and Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Savarin.
The movie was filmed and acted out in a way that drew me into it. There were many important scenes where you could tell the actors were having fun. This way, they made the movie much better.
Also, this movie really made me think about how Facebook was created and the drama surrounding it. For this reason, I would recommend that people watch The Social Network.
The Social Network presents Mark Zuckerberg as the main character of this film. This movie is an advertisement for Facebook, but it tries to present itself as more than that.
On the other hand, this movie is not worth watching because of its message. I felt like the story was incomplete. Many details were left out, and I feel like this is because of the director’s preferences.
It presents Mark Zuckerberg as a brilliant computer programmer who revolutionizes the way people communicate. However, the movie leaves out many important details about Zuckerberg’s life.
For example, it doesn’t show much of Zuckerberg’s relationships, especially his relationship with Priscilla Chan. In addition, it makes Mark seem like a very antisocial person, even though he is shown to have friendships with people outside of Facebook.
While The Social Network movie is worth watching, it doesn’t have a complete story. Many aspects are missing, and the director left details to make it seem like his film was better.
3. Evaluating a Theory
These types of evaluation essays involve proving whether an idea is true or false. This type of paper requires you to use evidence from various sources so that the reader can be sure of your information.
For example, you can evaluate a theory about the existence of Santa Claus.
An Evaluative Essay on Santa Claus Theory
The existence of Santa Claus is one of the most controversial theories in history. Some people say that he is a make-believe character who lives at the North Pole and delivers gifts on Christmas Eve. However, others think that he is real.
We need to look at both of these theories to evaluate them. For example, we need to ask ourselves whether Santa Claus would deliver all the gifts in one night across the world. We also need to look at the historical origin of Santa Claus.
According to most people, Santa is believed to be make-believe because there is no historical evidence that he ever existed. Moreover, the man known as Saint Nicholas was not red-bearded and did not live at the North Pole.
Furthermore, if Santa were real, he would have to be extremely wealthy. He would have to spend money on the gifts and transport them to every house in the world. In addition, he would have to live a long life to travel around the entire planet on Christmas Eve.
From these points, we can conclude that the theory about Santa Claus is true. It seems impossible for him to deliver all of the gifts in one night. Plus, there is no historical evidence about his existence in centuries past.
On the other hand, some people believe that Santa Claus is real and that he exists at the North Pole. These people say that he delivers all the gifts in one night and lives a very long life.
Another reason why people think that Santa is make-believe is that no one has seen him eat, drink or sleep.
In my opinion, there is no reason to believe that Santa Claus exists. There is no evidence in history or other cultures to show that he was real, and the theory makes no sense.
The people also say that he wasn’t given the name Santa Claus until seventeenth-century America because Saint Nicholas was his origin. We can conclude from these points that the theory about Santa Claus is false.
Evaluating The Evolution Theory
The theory of evolution is one of the most controversial theories in history. Some people think that it is true, while others believe that it is false.
To examine this theory, we will need to look at evidence from a variety of sources. For example, we can ask whether human beings were once monkeys.
According to scientists, the first ape-like creatures came from ancient primates. These creatures were our ancestors because we have a lot of similarities with them. Scientists have also found fossilized evidence of this theory.
Also, there are fossils of ancient jellyfish that show us the process of evolution. These fossils show us how jellyfish evolved for millions of years and turned into other species.
In addition, we can see how organisms have evolved from bacteria to plants and animals for billions of years. According to scientists, these organisms became more complex with time.
Considering all these points, we can conclude that the theory of evolution is true. There are many examples of fossils and scientific evidence to support this theory.
On the other hand, some scientists say that the evolutionary theory is false. While they agree that people share some similarities with monkeys, there are many differences between them. For example, apes have fur and walk on all fours, while people have no fur and walk on two legs.
From these points, we can say that the theory of evolution is false. There are no real-time examples to support this theory, and it doesn’t make sense that people once were monkeys.
4. Evaluating an Idea
This type of evaluation paper requires you to explain the pros and cons of an idea that you believe in. You can choose whether or not to take a side between two ideas, or you can objectively explain both sides. This type of paper requires a lot of research, but it’s well worth the effort.
For example, you can evaluate whether or not the Green Revolution is a good idea.
Evaluative Essay on the Green Revolution
The Green Revolution refers to new agricultural techniques that were developed during the twentieth century. These methods include using farm machinery, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to increase the production of crops.
The main point about the Green Revolution is that it has led to greater food production around the world. This increase has prevented world hunger. For example, there was a sharp increase in food production after India and Pakistan used the Green Revolution techniques during the 1960s.
Another benefit of the Green Revolution is that it has resulted in many jobs. For example, small farms have been replaced by large-scale agricultural operations. Farmers have increased their income by growing more crops, which has created jobs for other people in the community.
Through the revolution, there has also been a decrease in malnutrition. For example, India was facing widespread starvation in the mid-1960s. However, this problem was solved after the Green Revolution was implemented.
However, the Green Revolution also has a negative side. The use of chemicals and pesticides puts stress on the environment. In addition, farmers who use the Green Revolution techniques often become dependent on these chemicals.
In my opinion, the Green Revolution is a good idea overall. More food is produced, and the techniques do not harm the environment as much as traditional farming methods.
Evaluative Essay on Going to University
Going to university can help open up a lot of opportunities in the professional world. Many employers pay attention to someone’s education, expecting their workers to have a university degree.
Another point is that going to university teaches you essential skills to help you have a successful career.
For example, the university allows you to learn key concepts in your field of study. In addition, it will enable you to gain several years of hands-on experience. This exposure can be a big help when you’re looking to land a job.
Also, students who go to university usually have higher chances of getting into graduate school. According to Unistats, 94% of graduates with a bachelor’s degree get accepted into graduate programs.
On the other hand, a university degree is costly. Students must pay a lot of money for tuition and housing, making going to university harder and harder.
Another downside of going to university is that it takes a long time. Once you graduate from high school, it can take up to four years or more before you get your degree.
The third disadvantage is that some students who go to university don’t learn anything. According to a survey, 40% of graduates regret going to university and wish to take a different route.
In my opinion, going to university is a good idea only if someone can afford it. Students should find more affordable options, such as taking online courses or attending a community college. Otherwise, they might end up in debt for the rest of their life.
5. Evaluating an Argument
This type of evaluation essay is similar to the previous one, except you’re expressing your opinion about something that someone else said. This requires research, fact-checking, and a lot of careful consideration before you start writing. Otherwise, your argument and judgment may be weak or invalid.
An example of this type of paper is an evaluation essay on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana.
An Evaluation Essay on The Arguments About Legalizing Marijuana
This argument requires you to take a side. You can either support or oppose legalizing marijuana in the United States, but keep your opinion objective if you intend on writing a compelling argument.
Some people believe in legalizing marijuana because it would create jobs and increase tax revenue for the government. For example, there are more than 20,000 people employed by the medical marijuana industry in Colorado.
Another reason some people support legalizing drugs like marijuana is that it would keep people out of prison. For example, the United States has more than 1 million people in jail. About half of these people are behind bars for non-violent drug crimes.
However, there are also many reasons why legalizing marijuana may be a bad idea. For example, legalizing marijuana isn’t likely to solve the drug problem in America. Some people believe that it will make the problem worse.
In addition, legalizing drugs like marijuana is risky because it will make these substances more available to young people. Also, people arrested for drugs will no longer be convicted of crimes if these substances are legalized.
In my opinion, the pros of legalizing marijuana outweigh the cons. It would create jobs and improve tax revenue while keeping more people out of jail. At the same time, it isn’t likely to worsen the drug problem, and legalization will make drugs less taboo, preventing young people from taking them.
Evaluation Essay on The Constitutional Right of Owning a Gun
The right to own a gun is an important aspect of our constitutional rights. However, there are also many reasons why owning guns should be made illegal. For example, there are more than 30,000 gun deaths each year in the United States. About 91 people die every day due to gun violence.
Besides, owning a gun is expensive. It can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to purchase one.
I believe that the right to own a gun is worth more than the disadvantages of allowing people to purchase one. For example, owning a gun is still legal in most parts of the United States.
In addition, most gun owners are law-abiding citizens, and they would be willing to go through a thorough background check before purchasing a gun. Again, the right to own a gun is guaranteed in the United States Constitution.
That said, I do think that there should be stricter gun control laws. Instead, we should ban assault rifles and require background checks when purchasing a gun.
Parts of an Evaluative Essay
This type of essay has several parts, which you’ll need to include in your writing. The key elements of an evaluative essay are judgment, criteria, and evidence.
Your judgment
It is your opinion about something – whether you think it’s good or bad, right or wrong, etc.
Criteria
These are the standards you’ll use to make your judgment. Some examples of criteria are facts, statistics, standards of the past, and expert opinions.
Evidence
It is what you’ll use to support your judgment and criteria, such as facts, statistics, or expert opinions.
The general parts of the essay are:
1. Introduction
In the introduction paragraph, you’ll need to write a short statement that sums up your opinion or argument about the topic. You can write this paragraph in one sentence, but the standard is 3-6 sentences.
2. Thesis
In this paragraph, you should include a simple thesis statement. The thesis will predict the benefits or drawbacks of the argument or opinion you’re evaluating. For example, ” Legalizing drugs like marijuana will increase the likelihood of drug addiction.”
3. Evidence to support the thesis
The evidence section consists of the body paragraphs of your essay. This part should list the strongest pieces of evidence that support your thesis. Use concrete or specific examples to prove your argument.
For example, Legalizing marijuana in Colorado increased the number of drug arrests by 45% compared to the rest of America.
4. Conclusion
The conclusion of your essay should be a short statement that restates your thesis. In this paragraph, you can also talk about the implications of your argument or its importance. For example, “Since legalizing marijuana has both negative and positive consequences, it should be seriously considered before passing into law.”
5. Works Cited
In this final paragraph, you can write a list of sources that support your thesis and arguments. Citing your work will prove its credibility to your readers. Make sure the sources you choose are reliable and unbiased.
Tips for Writing a High-Quality Evaluation Essay
Here are some tips for writing a quality evaluative essay:
- Avoid making general statements and give specific reasons instead.
- Use direct quotes from experts to support arguments.
- Make sure the evidence is high quality and relevant.
- Avoid personal biases when writing.
- Don’t forget to cite sources.
- Don’t use jargon or slang terms.
Summary
If you need to know how to write an evaluation essay, remember that all evaluation essays have a few things in common. First of all, you need to present your argument or position, then explain why you think that way.
Finally, present some proof to support your claims, so the reader can tell that your argument is valid. This will help you with any future requirement of writing an evaluation essay or paper.
The examples discussed here are just to help you get started. Remember that your evaluative essay should reflect your unique opinion and specific arguments.
I‘m a freelance content and SEO writer with a passion for finding the perfect combination of words to capture attention and express a message. I create catchy, SEO-friendly content for websites, blogs, articles, and social media. My experience spans many industries, including health and wellness, technology, education, business, and lifestyle. My clients appreciate my ability to craft compelling stories that engage their target audience, but also help to improve their website’s search engine rankings. I’m also an avid learner and stay up to date on the latest SEO trends. I enjoy exploring new places and reading up on the latest marketing and SEO strategies in my free time.
