Essay #2: Review of a Product, Place, or Creative Work
Directions: Write a three page review in which you evaluate and analyze a subject that you
choose using a clear set of criteria and supporting your opinion with well thought out reasons,
analysis, and descriptive details in your paragraphs.
Possible Subjects Review:
 A film
 A TV show
 A book
 A musical album
 A restaurant or other business
 A product (such as a vacuum cleaner or a specific type of toothpaste)
Purpose: An essay that fulfills its purpose will do these three things:
1. Have a thesis that makes a clear claim about the subject of the review.
2. Describe the subject of the review fully and completely so that even a reader who has not
experienced it can understand your points.
3. Explain the criteria for evaluation you are using and how the subject of your review
fulfills those criteria.
Length: 3 pages. This means that your essay must be at least to the bottom of the third page
when it is formatted correctly. (See your syllabus for my formatting requirements.)
Suggestions:
Use our class readings as models. We will be reading a variety of reviews as we progress
through this section of the class. Also, I encourage you to read reviews of subjects you enjoy on
your own time. What do these writers do that might work for you?
Questions to Consider:
 What are the qualities that make your subject noteworthy? (Why might people be
interested in your subject?)
 How does your subject compare to other similar subjects? Is it better? Worse? What
makes it unique?
 Does your subject do anything especially well? Especially poorly?
 Who is your audience? Who might want to know about whether or not your subject is
worth their time/money?
Due Dates:
Rough Draft due Friday, 10/17 (upload to folder on turnitin by 11:59 PM)
Comments on Peer Essays Due Tuesday,
10/21 at beginning of class on turnitin.
Optional Revised Rough Draft due to turnitin at 11:59 PM on Friday, 10/24
Final Draft due Tuesday, 11/4 at beginning of class on turnitin