Assignment Instructions
The Critical Evaluation Essay
Your first essay ? the critical evaluation essay ? is due. In this essay, you will be critically evaluating a classic argument.
Choose one argument from the historic American or global works listed in the ?Supplemental Readings? section of the course lessons. Decide whether this argument is
successful or not. If you decide this essay is successful, discuss why. You may use the structure of the argument, the tone, and the various types of support (ethos,
pathos, and logos) as proof of the argument?s success. Make sure that your thesis has an introduction that contains a hook and a thesis, body paragraphs that discuss
one proof at a time (one paragraph per example), and a conclusion. If you decide that the essay is not successful, then discuss the fallacies that the argument makes.
You are still required to have a strong introduction (hook and thesis), body paragraphs that discuss one fallacy at a time, and a conclusion. You may also discuss how
the essay is successful with reservations. In this case, point to both the support and the fallacies you have found in the work.
This paper should be at least 600 words, but no more than 800. The paper should be formatted correctly MLA style and written in third person (do not use the words I,
me, us, we, or you). The essay should also contain citations, a works cited list, and a cover letter (see below).
The Cover Letter
Each essay due in this course needs to have a cover letter (not a cover page). In your letter for the critical evaluation essay, I would like for you to answer the
following questions. Each response should be at least three to five sentences, with the exception of question six. You may use first person in your cover letter. The
questions are below:
1) What is your purpose in writing this essay? In your response, explore the deeper meaning of this question. The goal is not just to complete the assignment but
instead to convey a message. What do you plan to accomplish with this essay? What do you hope the reader takes away from this argument?
2) What did you learn from completing this assignment? Did you experience a new understanding of the topic? Did you change your perspective after completing the essay?
3) What difficulties did you encounter during the writing or editing phases of the assignment?
4) What did you enjoy about this assignment?
5) Which essay did you chose? Why did you choose it?
6) Is there anything else you would like for me to know before I read your essay?
