Evaluating Texts

• An objective evaluator looks at both the good and bad sides of anything he/she is assessing.
• Strengths of a Text

  • The helpfulness of the text to the people
  • The quality of the information cited
  • The conciseness
  • Its grammatical and structural correctness
• Tips to remember when evaluating a text

  • Focus on the text, not the author
  • Do not use emotionally laced words; stay objective
  • After criticising, suggest improvements
• Weakness of a text

  • Unsupported claims
  • Doubtful sources
  • Logical fallacies
  • Incomplete information
  • Grammatical and mechanical errors
• Tips in Evaluating texts

  • Begin with the positives
  • Keep your feedback concise
  • When pointing out negatives, focus on the situation, not the person. Mention, too, why it is negative.
  • Provide a solution or suggested improvement to the negatives, as well as a justification about why the solution or suggestion will work