What "critically evaluate" really asks you to do

The command word in your question tells you what kind of thinking earns the marks. Answering "describe" when the question says "critically evaluate" is one of the most common reasons good work gets an average grade.

Critically evaluate

Make a judgement about how good, useful, valid or convincing something is, based on evidence. Weigh strengths against limitations, consider the quality of the evidence behind it and the circumstances in which it holds, and reach a clear, supported conclusion.

"Critical" does not mean negative. It means you do not take a claim at face value: you ask how we know, how strong that evidence is, and what it leaves out.

Describing versus evaluating

Describing says what something is. Explaining says how or why it works. Evaluating says how good it is and under what conditions. A useful test for any paragraph: does it end with a judgement the reader could disagree with? If not, it is probably description.

Other common command words

Discuss: explore different sides or perspectives and reach a conclusion. Analyse: break something into parts and show how they relate and why. Assess: weigh up importance or success and make a judgement. Compare: set out similarities and differences; contrast focuses on differences. To what extent: judge how far a statement is true — rarely "completely" or "not at all".

The full list, with what earns marks for each, is on our free command words page.

Checklist before you submit

I have found the command word in the question
Most paragraphs end in a judgement, not a description
I weigh strengths against limitations with evidence
I say how strong the evidence behind each claim is
My conclusion gives a clear, supported answer

Common mistakes

Writing a detailed description and calling it evaluation.
Treating "critical" as "criticise everything".
Sitting on the fence in the conclusion.
Listing strengths and weaknesses without weighing them.

Check your own draft against your rubric

The assignment helper breaks down your brief — what each command word demands here — and when you review a draft, it points to the paragraphs that describe when the question asks you to evaluate.

Try the Assignment Helper free Command words explained

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between evaluate and critically evaluate?

Both ask for a judgement. "Critically" stresses questioning the evidence and assumptions behind claims, not just listing pros and cons.

Can I use "I" when evaluating?

It depends on your subject and institution. Check your brief or handbook; many disciplines prefer an impersonal style while still expecting a clear judgement.