IDEAS & Aims Tim N. Taylor Linda Copeland

Evaluative Writing PART THREE: AIMS-BASED WRITING Chapter 10

Learning Objectives In this chapter, you will learn how to . . . LO1 Consider the criteria for success. LO2 Show how a subject is or is not a success. LO3 Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing.

Introduction We evaluate to make decisions based on the quality of something. Behind every evaluation is a set of standards or criteria. Carefully thought-out and thorough criteria are essential for evaluation.

LO1: Consider the Criteria for Success.

LO1: Consider the criteria for success. Criteria are the principles or standards by which something is judged, or evaluated. Most judgments, or evaluations, take into account various criteria. Criteria may vary depending upon the circumstances of the evaluation, the subject of the evaluation, and the purpose of the evaluation. Likewise, the importance of particular criteria may vary. Establish and prioritize your criteria before beginning your evaluation.

LO1: Consider the criteria for success. When writing an evaluation, you should decide if you want to be explicit or implicit about your criteria. Being explicit means you clearly identify the criteria for the reader. Being implicit means you explain the strengths and weaknesses of the subject without explaining to the readers what criteria are being used. Exercise 10.1 on page 287 gives students practice in identifying criteria. Exercise 10.2 on page 287 helps students see how criteria may vary with different circumstances.

LO2: Show How a Subject Is or Is Not a Success.

LO2: Show how a subject is or is not a success. Once you have generated criteria for evaluating, the next step is to show why and how a subject is or is not a success based on those criteria.

LO2: Show how a subject is or is not a success. Example: Mishon is trying to decide whether it would be better to drive her own car or to use public transportation to get to school. First she determined her criteria: affordability reliability convenience

LO2: Show how a subject is or is not a success. Next, Mishon does some research. She checks on the routes and fares of the local metro-system. She talks to friends and family members who regularly use public transportation. She uses information from AAA to determine the actual costs of driving her car, which is a small sedan. It’s ten years old, so it may need repairs, but she owns it free and clear.

LO2: Show how a subject is or is not a success. Next, Mishon applies her criteria to her two options: Public Transportation Student Pass—$175 per semester fairly reliable 2-block walk to bus stop, dropped off in front of campus, stops every 45 minutes, 6:00a.m.— 10:30p.m. My Car @59.5 cents per mile—$190 per semester + $50 parking fee fairly reliable parked outside my home, available whenever I need it

LO2: Show how a subject is or is not a success. Mishon decides to use public transportation to get to school. While the savings is not a significant amount, she figures she will also save the wear and tear on her car and save herself the frustration of navigating through morning traffic.

LO3: Put IDEAS to Work in Evaluative Writing.

LO3: Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing. Interest What can I do in my introduction to hook my readers’ interest in this evaluation? How can I convey my interest in the topic in such a way that my readers share it?

LO3: Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing. Details What is the best way to organize my criteria? What details will make my criteria most clear? Do my details work together to support the conclusion of my evaluation?

LO3: Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing. Explanation Should I make my criteria explicit or implicit? Does my evaluation involve special terms or concepts I may need to explain to my readers? What examples or personal experiences might add clarity and interest to my evaluation?

LO3: Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing. Audience How can I make my readers trust my evaluation? How can I build my readers’ interest in knowing the results of my evaluation? Can I make this evaluation relevant for my readers?

LO3: Put IDEAS to work in evaluative writing. Style How can I best convey the objectivity of my evaluation? What point of view should I use? What sentence errors should I work hard to avoid? What will I do to keep my sentences clear and varied?

Chapter 10 Evaluative Writing Let’s Review and Apply

1. Which of the following is not true of criteria? (LO1) a. Criteria are the standards by which something is evaluated. b. Criteria may be implicit or explicit in an evaluation. c. All criteria should be chosen to be equally important. d. An accurate evaluation depends on criteria. Answer: C

2. This hotel chain offers rooms with two separate sleeping areas, each with its own TV. Rooms include a mini-fridge and microwave. The bathroom has a sliding door that separates the sink from the shower. Rooms are in a mid-price range and include a free breakfast buffet. Consumers favoring these criteria are likely to be which of the following? (LO1) a. business travelers b. honeymooners c. retired couples d. families with children Answer: D

3. How should someone evaluate a product to determine whether it is a good product to purchase? (LO2) a. establish appropriate criteria and then using details and examples determine how the product meets the standards set by the criteria. b. read at least five online reviews from customers who have purchased the product to see if they give it a good rating. c. consider primarily the price since that is an important criterion for most purchases. d. ask the salesperson who has a lot of knowledge about the product and how it compares to others of its type. Answer: A

a. explanation and style b. details and audience c. style and details 4. Nora is presenting an evaluation of car seats for infants under one year of age. She includes the following information in her introduction: “The risk of death in a car accident is reduced by 71% if an infant is properly secured in an age and size appropriate car seat. Keep your baby safe by choosing the best among the current car seats on the market.” What part of IDEAS does Nora address here? (LO3) a. explanation and style b. details and audience c. style and details d. interest and audience Answer: D