"Evaluation is the act of considering or examining something in order to judge its value, quality, or importance" (Encarta World English Dictionary). In an Evaluative Essay on Literature you choose to compare and contrast the qualities of a few texts based on certain criteria and then make a judgment/evaluation about which text you feel was most successful.
For example, you might compare/contrast stories from a particular writing genre, such as Mystery/Horror/Suspense stories. First, you need to decide the criteria that you will use to evaluate the different texts. For literature, your criteria would be some of the elements of fiction. Consider plot, setting, characterization, dialogue, character actions, figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification), description/imagery, mood (emotional atmosphere), climax, theme, ending, foreshadowing, irony, pacing, organization, etc.
Of course, in a short Evaluative Essay you cannot discuss too many elements, or even too many stories. I suggest that you focus on two stories and three or four literary elements. How do those elements contribute to/support the theme of the stories? How and why are the literary elements effective? Be sure to mention the full names of authors and the full titles (in quotes) in the opening paragraph. Also be sure to state the theme you are discussing.
All good writing is process writing. In other words, you need to write in steps--brainstorm/plan, write a first draft, sometimes write a second draft, then type a final draft in MLA format.
For an Evaluative Essay on Stories, a planning step might be the creation of a chart. Under "Criteria" you would write four literary elements. Under the titles of the texts you are evaluating, you would write an excellent representative quote for that particular element. You would also rate the author's overall success with that literary element underneath the quote, using a scale of 1-10. See below:
Criteria <Title of Story 1> <Title of Story 2>
<Element> <Excellent Quote, page> <Excellent Quote, page>
<Rating 1-10> <Rating 1-10>
(Ratings are for your thinking/brainstorming; do not rate by number in your essay.)
<Element>
<Element>
<Element>
Remember, you can cite a few examples from the texts for each literary element. Just be sure that you do not include too many quotes or examples. Most of the essay should be your elaboration and thoughtful discussion. The quotes/examples should support your ideas; they should not overwhelm the essay.
After the planning step above (creation of a chart), you would write an excellent opening paragraph. A well-written introductory paragraph is important because it helps you organize your ideas and can function as a mini-outline for your entire essay. See the sample opening paragraph below for an Evaluative Essay on texts within the Mystery/Horror/Suspense genre:
Stories of mystery, horror, and suspense have always captivated readers. Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado," Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game," and Stephen King's teleplay "Sorry, Right Number" combine elements of fiction to create tales that excite the reader's imagination through setting, mood, characterization, and figurative language. Poe creates the villainous Montressor who exacts revenge on an easily manipulated Fortunato. Connell presents his main character Rainsford with the horrific choice of being whipped to death or hunted down like an animal in a remote island jungle. King relates an eerie supernatural tale about a family devastated by the death of a father. Each one of these stories transports the reader to a time and place that is sure to thrill and intrigue.
Notice how the above paragraph begins with a more general lead sentence about the literary genre itself. (If you are writing about a theme in the short stories, your opening sentence would clearly state that theme.) The next sentence clearly states the full name of each author, as well as the respective titles (short stories are within quotes). The following sentences explain the main conflict/plot of each story very succinctly. (You should never elaborate on examples in your introductory paragraph; all elaboration on examples should take place in the body of your essay.)
After you have written a good introductory paragraph, one idea would be to discuss literary elements in separate body paragraphs, comparing and contrasting, and making judgments (evaluation) about which story is more successful in supporting the thesis of your essay. (Of course, you may choose to organize your essay differently; perhaps you choose to analyze the stories in the body paragraphs and in your final paragraph, or two, you evaluate the success of the stories.) For example, you might have a paragraph comparing and contrasting the moods created in each text and elaborating on which selection was best (in your opinion) and why. The next paragraph might do the same for characterization, followed by a final body paragraph on the author's use of figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification). You would be sure to quote an excellent "mood" sentence or phrase, an excellent "characterization" sentence or phrase, etc., for each story to support your opinion. Never, ever include long quotes in a short paper! Be precise and succinct.
Your concluding paragraph should combine (synthesize) all your ideas/opinions presented in the body paragraphs. You should make an overall evaluative statement that compares and contrasts the stories and the techniques used by the authors. Clearly explain why you think one story is more successful and enjoyable.
Staple the Proofreading Checklist to the front of your essay:
https://scholarmulhern.blogspot.com/2020/02/proofreading-checklist-attach-to-front.html
