How to Justify an Evaluation Paper

Collegiate level essay questions requiring you to justify the evaluation of a topic will require solid research and fact checking. When writing essays, to "justify" means you are required to state reasons and proven facts that support your view but also to state the opposing facts and argue against them. In this sense, justification of evaluation papers are similar to argumentative essays and analysis. The most important part of your essay will be the depth of your research, and your ability to convince the audience your position on the topic is correct.

Perform your reading and begin your research. Many evaluation essays ask you to evaluate a book or article, so read that material first. You will need to give the audience enough information to support your thesis later so take detailed notes. Highlight important facts, statistics and dates. You should have a good starting point now to begin developing your thesis and perform your research.

Develop your initial working thesis. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, your thesis tells the audience how you will interpret the significance of your research to the subject. In short, it tells your audience what to expect from the essay. Your thesis should answer the question asked in your syllabus, and it should typically appear as a single sentence in the first paragraph of your essay. The rest of the justification of an evaluation paper will organize the evidence that persuades the audience of the logic behind your position. Remember that your working thesis might be revised several times while you continue your research and evaluate your position.

Develop the body of your evaluation and the justifying facts by starting with an outline, and then working on a first draft. You must sufficiently describe the topic in detail based on what the audience should know. Good justifications put emphasis on reliable research sources. All of your writing should attempt to prove your thesis, but you must also provide a balanced appraisal of the topic by expecting objections. At this point, you might find that you need to further your research to supply solid evidence. Evidence for justification of evaluation can be in the form descriptions, statistics, data and testimony of other reliable sources.

Complete the next draft of your essay. Review your syllabus to make sure you have followed it to the letter. This is your chance to check that the tone of the paper is persuasive, and that the audience will be moved by your data. If possible, have another person read your draft before publishing it as a form of proofreading as well as to make sure you addressed objections and that your logic is clearly stated. Ask the reader if they have been moved to your side of the argument and why. If not, provide more research and a use stronger persuasive tone.