Tips for Writing an Excellent Evaluative Commentary

An argumentative article is a kind of article that you will find arguments supported by facts, data, and examples about both sides of an issue, which depends on the author whether which side he or she supports the most. An evaluative commentary is written based on an argumentative article as a critical review or evaluation of the text. An excellent evaluative commentary must show language accuracy as well as unity, coherence, and cohesion of ideas through proper planning, paragraphing, and the use of discourse markers or transitions.

To write an evaluative commentary excellently, below are the recommended steps.

Below is a sample of an argumentative article with two different versions of evaluative commentaries: One is better. Which one is the better version?

In today's world more and more people use the Internet. Some of them think that books are obsolete and reading them wastes time because almost every piece of information one needs is on the Internet. On the other hand, I believe it is better to use books than the Internet.

To begin with, printed materials such as books and articles are more reliable than online sources of information. This is because websites can be edited by anyone worldwide, regardless of whether or not they are qualified academics. As a result of this, articles in online encyclopedias often contain incorrect and biased information. I have even heard some people insert incorrect facts into online databases as mischievous jokes. My own experience demonstrates the danger of relying too heavily on online sources of information. Two semesters ago, I was assigned a research paper in a freshman history class. I cited data I found on Wikipedia that turned out to be completely incorrect. The information I included in my essay was so hopelessly wrong that my professor immediately spotted it, causing me to fail the assignment and receive a relatively low grade in the class at the end of the semester. If I had taken the time to compare what I had read online to a book or a scholarly article I would not have included it and not have received such a bad score in the class.

In addition, books are superior to online articles because they provide a greater depth of information. Books are much longer than online articles, which makes them helpful to learners of all ages. Students who use printed resources when researching also benefit from the meticulously curated bibliographical information they include. I have personally experienced some of these benefits as an undergraduate student. For example, when I wrote a paper last semester in a history class, the first book I consulted contained a lengthy description of the underlying causes and long-term effects of the historical event I was writing about. In contrast, most of the online articles I consulted contained little more than facts and dates. As a result of basing my research on the book rather than the articles, I could write an insightful and nuanced essay.

The book is still the most compact and inexpensive means of conveying a dense amount of knowledge in a convenient package. The book's easy portability makes it the most user-friendly format for knowledge ever invented. The idea that one can carry in one's pocket a play by Shakespeare or a novel by Charles Dickens or Tom Clancy in a small paperback edition is mind-boggling. We take such uncommon convenience for granted, not realizing that the book itself has undergone quite an evolution since the production of the early big and bulky books.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that print resources are more valuable than online. This is because printed sources of information are less likely to be biased or error-prone and because books provide a superior level of detail on most topics.

(505 words)

Source: Anonymous

This article compares books and online resources regarding the safest method everyone can use to get authentic information. The author is judgmental of online resources that are proven to lack information rather than books.

Firstly, it is true that printed materials are more accurate than online information sources because everyone can edit the websites whether they are educated in academics or not. This situation can cause inaccurate and biased knowledge in online encyclopedias. For example, some people release inaccurate information into online databases as a malicious joke.

Furthermore, books are indeed superior to online posts because they offer a greater depth of knowledge. Moreover, books are more extended than online posts which can be helpful for students of all ages. For example, books have the production details and citations needed for the student to accomplish their research.

Besides, a book is still the most lightweight and affordable way to convey information in a convenient package. The book's simple portability is what makes it the most user-friendly format that is invented for knowledge. Still, there is the negative impact such as the unthinkable thought of a play by Shakespeare or a novel by Charles Dickens or Tom Clancy in a small paperback edition that can be held in one's pocket.

I partially agree that books are better than the internet. Books might be helpful to those who are in need, especially students. This is because printed resources are still needed in this modern technology for research purposes. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that technology is ahead and dominates the world when online resources got created. The author mentioned that articles in online encyclopedias often have incorrect and biased information. Online resources work better for finding the information, but it tends to provide wrong information because everyone can edit the fact compared to the book. In contrast, the book will be checked to see if the fact is accurate before it gets released. The content without any right sources is useless to read.

In summary, I reaffirm that printed resources are more valuable than online. I firmly believe that written data resources are less likely to be biased or error-prone because they have a superior degree of information on most subjects. Therefore, printed resources are not the only way to gain information.

(379 words)

The article illustrates the benefits we can get if we use printed materials to get some information. The author is optimistic and tells us to use books rather than the internet because books convey more precise knowledge.

Sources of information like printed material are more secure than the internet. Articles in online encyclopedias always contain incorrect facts because the websites can be modified by anyone in the world including whether or not they are qualified academics.

Books have complete information because they take much more extended than online articles and provide a greater authenticity of the information. This is useful to learners of all ages. Significantly students who use printed resources when doing research also benefit from the accurate bibliographical information they include.

Books are the most user-friendly for knowledge ever invented because books are compact and reasonable and have a lot of information in a convenient package. Nowadays, books are more convenient sizes that we can carry every day to anywhere we want.

I partially agree with the author that books are better than the internet because printed materials such as books and articles are more reliable because books provide more depth of information. I was able to write an insightful and nuanced essay. This result is because the author does easy and good for us, the information from the internet can not be 100% right, because everybody can write on the internet about everything whether it is based on the facts or not. Even though books are a slow process than the internet, books make users and readers can internalize, respond and transform. Books are more reliable than sources on the internet because they have been viewed before publishing. It is validated by an authorized editor solely based on facts. The books are also the storehouse of single-topic information, it is comprehensive, specific and complete.

I firmly believe that print resources are more valuable than online resources. From my perspective, printed materials allow you to digest information more diligently. It allows us to be more focused and jot down any point of view that we find informative aside from a digital source from the internet.

(357 words)

By following the guidelines above, write an evaluative commentary based on the articles below in 350-400 words.

The media is defined as one of the means or channels of general communications, information or entertainment in society, such as newspapers, radio or television. In the last few decades, computers and electronic media resources have come to play a central role in education. Whatever feelings some of us might have about the digital revolution, we must accept that many, perhaps most students, are fully immersed in it. Most of them will have considerable experience with the Internet and are likely to use it as a source of information for much of their academic work. Many will be accustomed to using e-mail as a standard form of communication. It is not just the students who find electronic media valuable. Teachers can also benefit from these resources by employing valuable tools. Thus, I agree that the media is indeed an educational tool.

Electronic media resources complement but seldom replace more conventional teaching techniques. Electronic media tools can make classes more efficient; lectures more compelling, informative and varied; reading assignments more extensive, exciting and accessible; discussions more expansive and thought-provoking, and student papers significant and well-researched. Teachers who own a computer with presentation software can improve their lecturers with outlines, slides, statistical charts and tables, images, music and even video clips. In addition to printing them as handouts, they can save in-class presentations in a web-compatible format for later review and discussion. Lastly, discussion tools such as e-mail, video conferencing and online chat services can seed discussion questions before the class meets, raw out to shy students and follow up on discussions or questions on the reading between classes. For example, Facebook is an alternative for shyer students to voice their thoughts and articulate them in writing before committing to their expression.

In terms of administration, it helps in the routine administration of courses such as providing copies of the syllabus, assigning discussion sections and getting out course news. Courses can be more efficiently handled with a course home page, electronic discussion groups and e-mail lists. These tools can also dramatically improve the continuity and the community aspects of courses, helping students to engage with and learn from each other and even from people outside the course.

Social media provide a wider variety of secondary and primary sources (including visual and audio) than previously available. With guidance, students can now access materials once available only to experts because they were too cumbersome to reproduce for classroom use or too expensive for students to purchase. By taking their paths through these sources, students can bring their evidence and arguments into lectures and discussion sections and write on a broader range of research topics. Besides, rather than performing assignments and taking exams from the teacher alone, students can perform independent research in publishing, exhibiting building or assembling and presenting teaching units and other materials for their peers. A web archive of several terms work can make the course itself an ongoing and collaborative intellectual construction.

In short, the media is an effective educational tool. It allows students to watch videos, answer questions and discuss content. On top of that, students can create their content to share with others. There is increased participation, personalisation and productivity. It has helped them recall information and visualise real-world applications of the concept they have learnt in class. The media has also improved students’ digital skills and provided peer learning and problem-solving opportunities. It has also been found that media use in education maintains students’ attention, generates interest in the subject, and clarifies course content.

(586 words)

Source: Anonymous

The rise in discipline problems among students has been related to the lack of respect students have for teachers. This disrespect appears to be linked to the ban on caning by class teachers. Hence, there has been a call to put the cane back in the teacher's hand to instil discipline. Is it through the fear of caning that students will learn discipline? Can the cane create a sense of respect for the teacher and the school authority?

Caning can be a powerful deterrent to misbehaviour. Contrary to popular belief, caning does not psychologically scar a child or youngster unless the punishment is unjust or too severe. However, would teachers confronted by an onslaught of disobedience, rudeness and disrespect still be able to act rationally? The number of cases in which teachers misuse their power has caught much attention. These are teachers who resort to caning as a way to control students. No improvement in the student's behaviour results in increased and more severe punishment until the punishment can rightfully be termed child abuse. The teachers' mood often determines the severity of the caning. Caning has become a means to release teachers' frustration and anger. This is an abuse of power.

Teachers cannot expect to be respected by their students just because they have been given the power to cane. Respect is not gained through the power of the cane, but by a mutual understanding through a close student-teacher relationship. If a teacher carries out his responsibility well and fairly and can show love and concern, he will be admired and respected. When such a teacher canes a student, the student will realize it is because the teacher cares. Not only will he regret his misbehaviour, but he will respect the teacher.

Instead of using the rod parents should their children to be courteous and respect others. Teaching them courteous behaviour is part of a parent’s responsibility. By starting when the children are young, they can turn courteousness into a lifelong habit. Parents can do so by setting an example by being courteous at home. Make a habit of using phrases such as “Please”, “Thank you” and “Good job.” By showing these good behaviours children can emulate that. If parents treat their children with kindness and respect, it is much easier to expect them to do the same. Courteous and polite children are socially advantaged over those who lack manners and respect for others. Courtesy helps kids develop friendships and gain the respect of their teachers and peers. By teaching children to be polite at a young age, parents can arm them with social skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Doubtless, caning helps change behaviour if it is properly implemented. However, it should not be seen as the panacea for disrespect for teachers and indiscipline in schools. Students' misbehaviour is not solely caused by the fact that teachers are banned from using the cane. Therefore empowering teachers to cane naughty children will not solve the problems. Parents, teachers and those in authority should look at the root of the problems and work from there.

(517 words)

Source: Anonymous

Arranged marriage occurs when parents or the elders in a family choose the spouse for their child, usually to tighten the bond of families involved for social or business benefits. Popular in most ethnics in the olden days, a man usually did not know his wife-to-be, or vice-versa, at least until a few months before the wedding day, and in most cases, the couples were not allowed to meet, what more to have dates like youngsters do today. I believe this practice, for whatever reasons it may be, is irrelevant in today’s modern world and is undoubtedly against the global fundamental human right.

A marriage is like a lifetime contract, where a man and a woman agree to spend the rest of their lives together under the same roof. To be able to do that they need the bond of love, where understanding and tolerating each other are among the fundamental aspects of life to be practised. This will lead to a long and happy marriage that will later be inherited by children, generation after generation. As in the case of arranged marriage, where couples are supposed to fall in love only after the wedding, all these are not guaranteed, thus resulting in unhappy marriages, if not short-termed. Yes, some may argue that couples who are married out of love today are bound to be divorced too, as obviously reported in cases of artists and celebrities. In my view, these are results of not true love, more towards the love of materials and glamorous lifestyles. If only understanding and tolerance are prioritised, marriages will be long-lasting.

Many years ago, in a world where most working sectors were dominated by men, where women were confined at home for household chores, youngsters had very little chance to meet, make friends, fall in love and eventually marry spouses of their choice. This was why arranged marriage was very much in favour then, without which, the home-bound girls would end up as spinsters, and the men would suddenly realise that they were old and without families. Imagine being forced into such a marriage, despite having gone to school, and college and settling down with jobs that allow you to meet people of the opposite genders that provide a wide choice of the Mr or Mrs, Right? Indeed, it would be a frustrating experience to be married to a stranger without your desired quality, especially when you have identified one that suits you among your colleagues. This proves that arranged marriage is not suitable today.

Allowing children to choose their spouses should be a practice that inculcates a sense of responsibility which could be helpful in building happy families and bringing up children of their success. Parents are then not liable for whatever happens to their children’s marriages unlike in arranged marriages where they are held responsible for the welfare of their children’s marriage. Problems arising in their marriage lives should be solved through understanding and tolerance, which, as mentioned earlier, are the essential elements of love. Parents should be contented to share their children’s happiness. This again proves that arranged marriage is irrelevant today.

When a couple decides to tie the wedding knot, they enter a life where everything is to be shared, which is impossible to be done with a stranger. Young people should therefore be allowed to choose their life partners for a happy and long-lasting marriage. Arranged marriage should not be practised.

(571 words)

Source: Anonymous

City life has improved significantly with the advancement of technology, and it provides state-of-the-art facilities and services to its residents. Some argue that children are more receptive to new learning experiences that could only be practised in cities. Children can enjoy a high standard of education, modern libraries, parks and many other technical services while living in cities. However, others claim that the countryside is environmentally friendly and provides excellent physical activities that are mandatory for children's health. On the contrary, I firmly believe life in the village is better than city life.

First, it is very important for a child to grow up in a healthy environment. Children need fresh air, not polluted by the massive number of cars and factories in the modern city. In the village, they can spend more time exercising and walking with their friends. It is often seen that children in villages are healthier and less susceptible to illness. Some reasons are a clean environment and the absence of pollution in their area and vicinity. If you have not lived in the village, you cannot imagine how fresh the air is. There is no automobile exhaust, drainage ditches and smelly waste. While you almost have to wear a breathing mask to go out in city life, you take fresh air every day from dawn to dark by living in villages.

In addition, a village's cost is much cheaper than in the city. Inhabitants of cities have to pay higher prices for housing, transport, and even food. That means by purchasing the same quantity of items, you spend less money on the village lifestyle. Also, since there are fewer consumer options, you could make considerable savings to keep your money stayed. All food must be purchased from supermarkets or local malls if you live in a city. To eat fresh vegetables in the city, you must get up early and rush to the market. However, the situation is different if you live in a village. You could grow various kinds of vegetables by yourself. You control the fertilizing and pesticides to ensure the vegetables are green and clean. On top of that when you live in a city, for instance, you need to check whether your clothes are fashionable before you go out as others might laugh at you for being out of fashion. Even simple accommodation in the city can pinch your salary. Due to these economic burdens, living in the city can be stressful.

Finally, you will never feel alone living in a village. Most people living in cities would have the same feeling: they’re surrounded by people only 10 meters away, but they feel alone. There’s little communication between neighbours, and friends may be several kilometres away. To kill loneliness, they watch movies online, play games, and go on short journeys. However, while living in villages, you will never feel alone. Every morning you could say hi to your neighbours, and you may live only 20 feet away from your friends. You meet strangers everywhere in a city, but the whole village is not strange.

It can be concluded that people living in a village are healthier, feel less isolated and the cost of living is cheaper. Today with the advent of technology such as the Internet, people living in the village would not miss much of the city's development.

(558 words)

Source: Anonymous

Education is a never-ending learning process that has always been a part of our life. As education is a building block in our lives, we are willing to invest deeply in our education. A good education will bring us far with what they offer our future. Recently, there have been several students continuing their studies aboard. As the saying goes, the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Many consider studying abroad as a better option.

First, studying abroad allows you to immerse yourself in a completely new culture that might be different from yours. This is an exciting and unique experience involving expanding your cultural horizon, as you will get introduced to local customs and beliefs first-hand. During this process, many students, including ourselves, started to more and more appreciate and value differences more and instead of wanting everyone to conform to our expectations of how things should be done. Therefore, studying in a foreign country enables you to see things from a different point of view. Furthermore, you will have lots of encounters with locals and might develop deep friendships. You could not do this while simply going on an ordinary holiday trip to your study-abroad destination! By leaving your home country, you might also be able to take a step back and engage in the often eye-opening experience of assessing your own country’s norms and practices from an outside perspective.

Another benefit of studying abroad regarding future career opportunities is that you will quickly adapt to unfamiliar situations and environments due to your “training” abroad. Furthermore, you will be educated in intercultural competence and acquire advanced communication skills. Those are critical factors since many companies tend to expand across borders in our increasingly interconnected world. Apart from enhancing your career prospects on the employment market in your home country with your gained international experience, you might as well take advantage of the exceptional opportunity to seek an internship in your host country. This represents a chance to create a professional network abroad possibly.

Although learning a new language in a classroom or even in your home country can be relatively successful, we believe nothing can beat being in the country where your target language is spoken. Being in an environment where you naturally hear the language at any time of the day and are acting more or less forced to speak it, you will lose any fear that you might still have to talk to native speakers. Indeed, the very thought of being surrounded by people who do not share the same mother tongue as you might be a bit scary at first. However, taking up this challenge is worth it, because your language skills will improve dramatically in no time!

In conclusion, the desire to study abroad is based on several concrete benefits for students in the present and the future. This is why most students would gladly accept an opportunity to go abroad and work diligently to turn this opportunity into a resounding success.

(503 words)

Source: Anonymous

Many people have formed opinions about homeschooling; some favour it, while others oppose it. From my personal experience, it is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The skills I gained have helped me as a student and a member of society. After talking with other home-schooling children, they feel the same way as me. In my personal opinion, homeschooling is very beneficial to any child.

The best advantage that a home-schooled child receives is a one-on-one education. The child receives extra help in the subjects he or she is having trouble with. The parent can choose a unique curriculum to help with that complex subject. For example, if the child is having trouble in math, there is a curriculum that makes math visible and kinetic. The subjects where the child is excelling the parent can make the assignments more challenging. In contrast, if a child does not do well on a science test, the parent can review this material and re-examine it so the child can finally understand it. A one-on-one education gives a child the special attention the child needs.

In addition, home-schooled children make better students. These children are self-motivated because they desire to know about a particular subject, instead of learning about something to pass a test and forgetting the information. This intellectual curiosity enables them to work to the best of their ability. According to Klicka Homeschooled Students Excel in College, the average home-schooled child does 80% better than the average student on regular standardized tests. Home-schooled children do better on these tests because they use more up-to-date textbooks and have that one-on-one education.

Finally, home-schooled children also gain life skills. By the time a child finishes high school, they are self-sufficient. These children can learn how to manage and run a house. They can cook their meals, do their laundry and clean the house. Home-schooled children have more time to learn these skills. These skills teach the value of hard work, which will help them when they get a job. These tasks also cement responsibility. One of the most critical things for home-schooled children to learn is how to do home improvement projects. For example, my mother taught my sister and me how to paint a room and fix malfunctioning household items. Not many non-home-schooled children can complete these simple tasks. Many children in public schools are involved in many after-school activities, and when they get home they spend the rest of the night doing many hours of homework, there is no time to learn these skills. These lessons are just as important as academic work because it makes a well-rounded person.

Today's parents have many options for their children's education, but the best choice I believe they can make is home-schooling their children. These children receive numerous benefits, being better students, receiving individual attention, and gaining essential life skills. Overall these children succeed in all aspects of life. Ultimately, it is up to the parents to decide how good of an education their child will receive. Before the parents decide one way or the other about homeschooling, they may try it at one point in their child's education to see if homeschooling improves their child.

(529 words)

Source: Anonymous

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