Following the instructions in the Restaurant Restaurant Review Essay assignment description, post your first draft here.
This assignment may receive as much as two points:
- If it receives zero points, or is sent back, it means the draft does not meet the minimum requirements. The draft will need further revisions — and to be resubmitted here — before moving on. Closely reviewing the unit’s videos and readings is also encouraged.
- If it receives one point, it means the draft is written well enough to move forward. The draft may need significant revisions, however; pay close attention to any suggestions offered. (If you want more feedback on a future draft, you may request that the assignment be returned after it is scored.)
- If it receives two points, it means the draft should pass (with 70% or greater) on the final version — if you successfully incorporate any pertinent suggestions in the feedback, and all other issues are corrected (not every problem may be commented on in feedback).
So, in summary, two points means the draft is strong; one point means the draft is good and needs work, and zero points (or having it returned) means it needs to be rewritten and improved on for another draft before moving forward.
This draft will be graded on:
- A completed draft, reaching the page minimum
- Following the instructions, requirements, and guidelines in the assignment description adequately enough for a workshop draft
NOTE: After your submission here, your course instructor will review the draft and give you feedback to guide your revision for the final draft; you must use this feedback to write the upcoming “Revision Plan” and to make changes to your essay.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FINAL VERSION OF THE RESTAURANT REVIEW ESSAY
Below are the overall instructions for the final version of your Restaurant Review Essay, copied here for your convenience, so you don’t have to go find them elsewhere.
NOTE: Since this is one of six major assignments in this course, all students must submit this assignment at least once to pass the course.
INSTRUCTIONS
For this essay, you will write a critical review of a restaurant. So, your first homework assignment: go out and eat! You will need to identify the elements that you are reviewing and establish criteria for those elements. Be sure to include examples and evidence from the subject you are reviewing to back up your evaluation. You are taking the stance of the expert. Present a judgment and defend it.
Reviews should address:
Element: the specific aspect you’re evaluating (i.e. decor, service, food quality, food appearance, food components, etc.)
Criteria: the ideal version of that aspect in your opinion (this is often implied, but should still be clear.)
Judgment: the evaluation — recommended or not? Often, the best reviews suggest who might most enjoy the offerings, rather than simply saying the entire restaurant is good (or bad).
Evidence: the specific details and sensory descriptions that back up your judgment and prove your accuracy
- Example: “The signature entree at Blue Bayou was the Monte Cristo sandwich (element), which was surprisingly flavorful (judgment), thanks to the unexpected pairings of savory and sweet elements: tender ham and turkey, melted swiss cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and blackberry preserves (evidence).” Note that the criteria here is implied, as food that tastes good. Since this is a common expectation, there is no need to explain further. Also, note how this example doesn’t use the actual terms element, judgment, evidence, or criteria, but it still manages to discuss each of them.
REQUIREMENTS
- Two or more double-spaced pages (over 500 words)
- Note: There is no such thing as “too much writing” in this collegiate writing course!
- Follow MLA formatting guidelines:
- At top right, set up automated page numbers, with your last name, a space, and the page number
- At top left, put your name, then your instructor’s name, the course name, and the CURRENT date
- Center your title, in the same font, which should be descriptive and engaging (not “Assignment Name”)
- Indent the first line of each paragraph
- If you aren’t sure how to set those up, there are thousands of “MLA How to…” tutorials online
- Save the file name in this format: Your Last Name – Assignment Name – Draft (or Final)(1, 2, or 3)
- Submit your narrative as an attachment, in .pdf format (or .doc/.docx)
PURPOSES:
- Practice evaluation as a method of inquiry
- Practice writing according to audience expectations and needs
- Think about how, as a writer, you evaluate different texts and forms of media and transcribe such evaluations into academic writing
- Practice correct documentation
HOW THE ESSAY IS GRADED
You will also comment on the following questions for your student review:
- Does the essay introduce the restaurant in a brief, clear way? What could be done to improve the introduction?
- Does the essay evaluate enough elements of the restaurant? What elements might be added to (or removed from) the evaluation?
- Does each element present a clear judgment? Which could be made clearer?
- Does each element have a sufficient amount of evidence to support the claim? Which elements could use more supportive evidence?
- Are the criteria implicit, except where needed?
- Is there a discussion of comparison to a comparable restaurant (for example, you shouldn’t compare a steak house to a fast food restaurant)? If not, suggest one.
- Is the review balanced and fair, identifying both positive and negative aspects of the restaurant? Where might this aspect be improved?
- Does the conclusion include a short paragraph that wraps up the evaluation by stating whether the reviewer recommends the restaurant and a short summary of why or why not, based on the previous paragraphs?