Arguments of Evaluation

English 104

Understanding EvaluationsEvaluative arguments rely on judgements and

appraisals, often regarding quality or performance

Informal evaluative arguments take place dailyExamples: awards shows, beauty pageants,

best- or worst-dressed celebrities, literary prizes, political opinion polls, elections

Understanding EvaluationsYou’re entering into an argument of

evaluation when you:Make a judgement about quality

Example: Citizen Kane is probably the finest film ever made by an American director.

Challenge such a judgementExample: Citizen Kane is vastly overrated by film

critics.Explore criteria for evaluative judgements

Example: Criteria for judging films are evolving as the production and audiences of films become ever more international.

Criteria for EvaluationCriteria for evaluation: the standards that

are established for judgementWhen formulating an argument of

evaluation, be aware of the criteria that you’re usingExample: What exactly makes an idea, a

work of art, or a product “good” or “bad”? What exactly makes a person a “good” or “bad” candidate?

Characterizing EvaluationQuantitative Evaluations – rely on hard

evidence, i.e. criteria that can be measuredExample: A car is faster, smoother, quieter,

or more fuel-efficient than another.Qualitative Evaluations – rely on criteria

that cannot always be measured objectively, such as values, traditions, and emotionsExample: A car is more beneficial, more

convenient, more attractive, more ethical (eco-friendly) than another.

Characterizing EvaluationAn argument of evaluation might make use

of both quantitative evaluations and qualitative evaluationsExample: What makes a movie great?

Quantitative evidence: Overall revenue, box office sales, popularity polls, number of awards won

Qualitative evidence: Societal impact, cinematic technique, dramatic structures, intelligent casting, acting styles

Convince the reader to accept the markers of quality that you have chosen and defend your criteria of evaluation

Developing an Evaluative ArgumentOnce you’ve established a claim, pay special

attention to the criteria and evidence you’ll use to support it

Anticipate readers asking difficult questionsExample:

Claim: Apple’s iPad is a top-selling personal technological device because of its amazing performance.

Anticipated reader questions: What exactly does that mean? What makes the iPad “amazing”?

Quantitative Evidence: iPad gives access to email and the Web, has high-resolution screen, many applications, is also an e-reader

Qualitative Evidence: iPad user’s experience, enjoyment, feelings of productivity (can be supported using owners’ testimonies)

Developing an Evaluative ArgumentPresenting Evidence

Generally, the more evidence in an evaluation the better, as long as the evidence is relevant and well explained

Select evidence that is most likely to influence your readers

Usually, the best evidence is specific, detailed, memorable, and derived from credible sources

Developing an Evaluative ArgumentExtras

Designs and visualsExample: Tables, charts, graphs, or infographics Can help to illustrate quantitative evidence, such as

statisticsHelpful when comparing itemsCan make the information more accessible to

readers

Works CitedLunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith

Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 6th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print.