Evaluating or Analyzing an Essay

1. What is the thesis or main idea the author is attempting to communicate?
2. What information/evidence (facts/data) does the author offer to support his thesis?
3. What are the conclusions the author makes from the evidence?
4. What assumptions is he making that may underlie his inferences or conclusions?
5. Did he commit any of the common logical fallacies or did he present a valid argument?