Fall 04
English 1010
The Simpsons and Quality Television
Watkins
Essay #3—Evaluation Essay
DUE DATE: Your Conference Day (either October 12 or October 14, 2004)
Assignment: Write a 550-750 word (2 ½-3 pg.) essay evaluating either:
a.) Your favorite series (or The Simpsons) as an example of a good television series.
or
b.) Your favorite television series as an example of a bad television series.
The purpose of this assignment is learning to back an opinion with factual evidence.
Part I: Define good/bad (the one that applies to your choice) as it relates to a television series by
discussing SPECIFIC standard/characteristics (i.e. audience appeal, intelligent scripts, artistic direction).
Part II: Apply these standards to the series of your choice by giving specific details, examples, quotes,
and evidence to support the claim stated in your thesis.
Things to think about: What synonym of good or bad could better help your argument? If your favorite
series is bad, why do audiences watch it? What attracts audiences to bad television?
The final draft of this assignment will be evaluated on the usual general levels: how effective your
introduction is, how well you organize the entire essay and individual internal paragraphs, how well you
use primary and secondary support (examples/details) to describe your specified topic and support your
thesis, and how well the overall paper is edited for grammar, mechanics, and spelling. In addition to the
above criteria which are usually evaluated, make sure you include the following which are
particularly important for a evaluation essay: a clear definition, a clear purpose, and a logical and
interesting thesis.
You will be given class time for both a revision workshop and an editing workshop; you need to make
sure that you take these workshops quite seriously before turning in your paper for grading. Staple the
assignment sheet, rubric side up, to the front of the final draft of your essay. Make sure your paper is doublespaced, has one-inch margins, is in dark 10 or 12 point Times New Roman font, and has the following
title block, also double-spaced, at the top of the left side of the paper:
Your Name
Prof. Watkins
English 1010-75/79
28 September 2004
Essay #2
Traps to Avoid:
 Failing to define or apply appropriate standards of evaluation
 Seeking to evaluate the series from memory only
 Failing to support the judgments with evidence, examples, details, quotes
 Using first or second person (i.e. “I,” “me,” “we,” “us,” or “you”)
 Failing to assert a clear and strong judgment. (Understand that all TV series will have both good
and bad aspects; however, your assignment is to choose one or the other!)
 Failing to properly document ALL information that you take from the TV series. If you quote,
paraphrase or summarize any information, then you must give proper MLA documentation.
Due Date for Revision Workshop (bring two copies): Thurs., Sept. 30, 2004
Due Date for Editing Workshop (bring two newly revised copies): Tues., Oct. 5, 2004
Due Date for Final Draft: YOUR CONFERENCE DAY—Tues., Oct. 12 or Thurs., Oct. 14