How to write an evaluation essay

An evaluation essay is a type of essay in which you make assessments about a topic with a collection of criteria. In evaluation essays, the primary goal is simply to “evaluate.”

Now that you’ve a basic understanding, let’s have a look at the writing process of a great evaluation essay. 

Key characteristics of evaluation essays

Again, with this type of essay, you first need to define criteria for your evaluation. Then you simply make your judgments, and present evidence to justify your evaluation. 

Now let’s move into these steps deeper so you have a better understanding. 

evaluation process

Define criteria for evaluation

The criteria should determine what is ideal for the product, service, or brand, or whatever you’re evaluating.

In order to find this out, consider the best potential example of a comparable good or service. What would be their best qualities?

Let’s evaluate Starbucks throughout this guide.

These criteria are our benchmarks, and we will use them to evaluate our subject. So before starting with your essay, make sure that you’ve determined your criteria. 

Learn the judgment (evaluation) process

After you’ve defined your criteria, you need to evaluate them. You’ll be a judge and give some judgments in your essay. In other words, you decide if the criteria you set, have been met.

For example, for our Starbucks example, we can start by judging if Starbucks has quality coffee or not.

  • Does it match or surpass our expectations for quality?
  • Is it adequate, or does it fall short?​

So you need to decide and answer such questions in a way in your body paragraphs. 

Present evidence for judgments

Until here, you’ve defined criteria and made some judgments. 

This section is essential as you must present evidence to support (or base on) your judgments. Otherwise, you won’t sound objective and credible. 

Overall, when writing this type of essay, it’s common to have each paragraph focused on a particular criterion. So with each paragraph, clarify the criteria, make specific judgments, and include supporting evidence. 

Choose a topic and thesis statement

Now it’s time to start the writing process. The first step is choosing an evaluation essay topic.

Unless your teacher or instructor assigns you with a particular topic, you need to choose one yourself. At this step, make sure you: 

  • Choose a topic that you're already good at or interested .
  • Have a clear opinion on the topic, whether positive or negative.

After you’ve decided on your topic, the next step is to create a thesis statement. 

Create a thesis statement

Thesis statements are the main argument of any essay type. So, in your thesis statement, state the criterion to judge/evaluate the subject.

While choosing your criteria, pay attention to the following:

  • Use different verticals for criteria. This will make your essay more enjoyable and inclusive.
    For example as seen in below example: quality of goods, customer service, and environment are different verticals.

Evaluation essasy thesis statement example

Introduction

....(introduction starts)
....(introduction continues)
....(introduction continues)
Starbucks has effectively built a distinct brand identity via its dedication to high-quality goods, customized customer service, and a welcoming environment, distinguishing it in the highly competitive coffee sector. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Now, after the topic and thesis statement, it’s time to start writing your introduction paragraph. 

Write an introduction for you evaluation essay

Your introduction is an essential section of your evaluation essay as it is the part that convinces your reader to keep reading your essay.

With 31.256 stores worldwide, Starbucks is the largest coffee shop chain in the world. Hook: An interesting fact about the topic. It is widely regarded as the epitome of America’s second generation of coffee culture. Background: Provide background information about your subject. But does it deserve its popularity? There are a number of qualities a good coffee shop chain should have, and it seems that Starbucks has most of these qualities. Transition: Make a subtle transition to your paper and your arguments. Starbucks has effectively built a distinct brand identity via its dedication to high-quality goods, customized customer service, and a welcoming environment, distinguishing it in the highly competitive coffee sector. Thesis statement: State your main argument and present the thesis statement.

Checklist for the introduction

  • Start with a memorable, entertaining point that will pique the reader’s interest (a.k.a. hook sentence.)
  • Share any contextual information on the evaluated subject with the reader. ​
  • Provide a summary of what will be covered.​
  • State your thesis statement.​

Keep on writing: body paragraphs

In each one of your supporting paragraphs, talk about one of the criteria and evaluate if the subject meets the expectations/criteria. 

Don’t forget to make use of topic sentences, transition sentences, and transition words and phrases to create a nice flow of ideas.

A calm atmosphere is one of the most critical aspects people look for in a coffee shop. Topic sentence: Start the paragraph by revealing your criteria for evaluation. In the case of Starbucks, the atmosphere is one of the strong suits of the franchise. Judgement: Evaluate your topic based on the presented criteria. People find the atmosphere of Starbucks to be homey, and suitable for both studying and chatting with friends. Evidence: Present your evidence for the evaluation. However, despite the large amount of coffee shops the franchise has all over the world, Starbucks can sometimes get too crowded and loses its quiet and cozy atmosphere. Downside: State a downside about the subject based on the criteria you talked about. Therefore, the strong suit of Starbucks in terms of atmosphere can sometimes show itself as a negative attribution as well. Concluding sentence: Finish the paragraph by bringing the key points of the paragraph together.

Summarize the whole essay in your conclusion

Conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, where you sum up your main points and restate your thesis statement. 

To wrap it up, you’ll need to make one definitive evaluative statement in your conclusion. This evaluation statement needs to offer a comprehensive assessment of your essay’s topic. 

As we can see from the evaluation of the stated criteria, Starbucks deserves its place as arguably the most popular coffee shop in the world, although it has some shortcomings. Restatement: Return to the statement in your introduction and definitive evaluation. There are a number of factors that allow this. Starbucks maintains the highest levels of quality in their coffee obtaining, roasting, and distribution and provide quick service to their customers. The seating in all Starbucks stores is comfortable and cozy. The atmosphere is exactly what people would expect from a good coffee shop, but sometimes it gets too crowded to ensure the calm atmosphere. Summary: Overview of the points made in your essay. It is clear that Starbucks will continue to dominate popular culture in the upcoming years, and it is expected that the franchise will succeed in overcoming its shortcomings. Concluding sentence: Finish your essay with a memorable, catchy sentence.

Checklist for conclusion paragraph

  • Return to a statement you made in the introduction.
  • Demonstrate your definitive evaluation.​
  • Show that your definitive evaluation applies to your thesis statement.​
  • Explain to whom the conclusions may be of interest.​
  • Finish with a persuasive sentence that demonstrates why this subject is relevant. ​

5-Paragraph Evaluation Essay Example

Now you’ve seen each paragraph of an evaluation essay in detail. But before ending this guide, let’s analyze a 5-paragraph evaluation essay in detail. 

Evaluation Essay on Turkish Cuisine

Introduction

Turkish cuisine has been known for its richness in taste and flavor. Hook sentence: Grab the reader's attention With its unique blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, it offers a range of dishes that cater to different taste buds. Background: More on Turkish cuisine to keep reader interested In this evaluation essay, I will be evaluating Turkish cuisine based on three criteria: taste, variety, and cultural significance. Evaluation criteria given Through this evaluation, I aim to demonstrate why Turkish cuisine is worth trying. Thesis statement

Body paragraphs

Turkish cuisine is known for its mouth-watering flavors.. Topic sentence The use of fresh and natural ingredients is the secret behind its delicious taste. One of the most famous Turkish dishes is kebab, which is a grilled meat dish that is marinated with various spices. The dish is juicy, tender, and aromatic. The use of herbs and spices such as oregano, mint, and cumin adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish. Another popular dish is pide, which is a type of Turkish pizza that is topped with cheese, meat, and vegetables. Explaining the elements of the cuisine The combination of the melted cheese, crisp vegetables, and savory meat make the dish a perfect blend of flavors. Evaluating the taste

Turkish cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes that cater to different dietary needs. Topic sentence The cuisine is predominantly based on meat, but there are also a number of vegetarian and vegan dishes available. One of the most popular vegetarian dishes is dolma, which is stuffed vegetables with rice, herbs, and spices. There are also many lentil-based dishes such as mercimek çorbası, which is a lentil soup that is flavored with cumin and mint. Additionally, there are a number of desserts that are made with sweet ingredients such as honey, nuts, and fruits. Evaluating the variety

Turkish cuisine has a strong cultural significance in Turkey. Topic sentence Food is an important aspect of Turkish culture, and meals are often seen as a time to gather with family and friends. Turkish cuisine is a reflection of the country's history and culture. The use of spices such as saffron and sumac, and ingredients such as yogurt and bulgur wheat are all a testament to the country's diverse cultural influences. Turkish tea, which is a popular drink in Turkey, is also a symbol of hospitality and friendship. Evaluating the cultural significance of the cuisine

Conclusion

After all, Turkish cuisine is a combination of delicious taste, variety, and cultural significance; its unique blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences makes it a cuisine worth trying. Restatement the thesis Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian, there is something for everyone in Turkish cuisine. From the famous kebab to the mouth-watering pide, Turkish cuisine is a true delight for the senses. Summarize the points made in the essay So, the next time you get a chance to try Turkish food, do not miss out on the opportunity! Concluding thoughts & last impression

Cheat sheet

Best practices for evaluation essays

  • Make your judgments and definitive evaluation clear. Choose at least 3 criteria.
  • Follow the correct grammar and punctuation rules and proofread your article thoroughly.​
  • Make sure the evidence is fairly spread around the criteria.

Things to avoid when writing

  • Don’t be afraid to be specific about evaluating.
  • Don’t forget to provide both positive and negative feedback on the same item.​
  • Don’t forget to explicitly state your judgment​

That’s all for today. If you want to learn more about essay writing, continue reading our blog on writing guides, or simply watch our informative videos on YouTube. 

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Ibrahim Akturk
Content editor at Tamara Research. Translation major, huge coffee and baking nerd. Addicted to good music and great articles.

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