·
State
a main point or claim.
·
Present
arguments for your claim.
·
If
relevant, state any objections to your claim (and defeat the objections).
·
Signpost:
Tell the reader how you are arguing (or how you have argued), and what you’ve
left out. If an argument structure is complicated, go over the steps.
·
Avoid
“naked this” – Using a “this” with an uncertain referent, as in “this
shows that my opponent’s argument is entirely wrong.”
Counterconsiderations/Objections – An issue in the case of
converging arguments. Points that are negatively relevant to the thesis.
Introduced by words like although, even though, despite the fact that, and
notwithstanding the fact that.
1)
Comment
on the interest, importance and plausibility of the thesis.
2)
Comment
on the quality of the supporting arguments.
3)
Comment
on the author’s clarity, word choice, organization, and grammar.
1)
Introduction:
-
Whose
essay you are evaluating (title, content, problem or issue)
-
Thesis
or core argument
-
Briefly
state your judgment
2)
Detail
the essay’s flaws
3)
Detail
the essay’s good features
4)
Summary
statement
5)
Further
implications or suggestions