Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in Technology

Paper 4: Evaluation or Causal Argument

 Evaluation Argument Options:

1. What kinds of reviews or evaluations do you consult most often or read religiously—those of TV shows, sports stars, video games, fashions, fishing gear, political figures? Try composing an argument of evaluation in your favorite genre: make and defend a claim about the quality of some object, item, work, or person within your area of interest or special knowledge. Let the paper demonstrate an expertise you have gained by your reading. If it helps, model your evaluation upon the work of a reviewer or expert you particularly respect.


2. Write a paper in which you challenge what you regard as a wrong-headed evaluation, providing sound reasons and solid evidence for challenging this existing and perhaps commonly held view. Explain why the topic of your evaluation needs to be reconsidered and provide reasons, evidence, and, if necessary, different criteria of evaluation for doing so.


3. Write an evaluation in which you compare or assess the contributions or achievements of two or three notable people working within the same field or occupation. They may be educators, entrepreneurs, artists, legislators, editorial cartoonists, fashion designers, programmers, athletes—you name it. While your first instinct might be to rank these individuals and pick a “winner,” this evaluation will work just as well if you can help readers appreciate the different paths by which your subjects have achieved distinction.

Grading Rubric:

• Your paper is a minimum of two full pages (please write more if you’re inclined).


• Your paper is double-spaced with one-inch margins and written in Times (12 point font).


• Your claim is an argument of evaluation and it makes a judgment about your topic.


• Your claim clearly establishes what’s being evaluated.


• The criteria used in the evaluation are both clear and appropriate. If the criteria are controversial, then work to defend them.


• There is enough evidence to show that what’s being evaluated meets the criteria AND the writer establishes the significance and appropriateness of the evidence.


• You’ve acknowledged the opposition.


• Your organization is effective.


• The reader is engaged because of your attention to style, diction, and syntax.


• There are few to no mistakes in grammar, spelling and punctuation.


• If sources are used, MLA style is both incorporated and correct.


• The paper is turned in on April 14 (late paper penalty=20 points).

Causal Argument Options:

Per your topic, you can write a paper by exploring one of the following:

1. State a cause and then examine its effects


2. Describe an effect and trace back to its causes


3. Trace a string of causes to figure out why something happened


4. Explore plausible consequences (intended or not) or a particular action, policy, or change


5. Question the accuracy or adequacy or existing arguments about causality

Grading Rubric:

• Your paper is a minimum of two full pages (please write more if you’re inclined).


• Your paper is double-spaced with one-inch margins and written in Times (12 point font).


• Your claim states a causal argument and clearly identifies the cause(s) and effect(s).


• Your claim appeals to readers.


• Your claim is well-qualified and focused.


• Your claim has strong and thorough supporting evidence.


• Your evidence in support of the claim is analyzed logically.


• You’ve acknowledged the opposition.


• The organization is effective.


• The reader is engaged because of the writer’s attention to style, diction, and syntax.


• There are few to no mistakes in grammar, spelling and punctuation.


• If sources are used, MLA style is both incorporated and correct.


• The paper is turned in on April 14 (late paper penalty=20 points).