印象 and 評価: impressions and evaluations
Distinguish an initial impression from an evaluation and avoid generalizing one person's impression to everyone.
An impression received
印象, read いんしょう, means impression. 第一印象は明るい人でした。 says that the first impression was of a cheerful person.
強い印象が残りました。 says that a strong impression remained. 強い alone does not determine whether it was positive or negative.
Criteria for evaluation
評価, read ひょうか, means evaluation of value, performance, or similar qualities. 内容を高く評価しました。 means rating the content highly.
見た目ではなく、使いやすさで評価しました。 says that the evaluation was based on ease of use rather than appearance. Identify the criterion before で.
When impressions and evaluations differ
最初の印象はよかったのですが、使ってから評価が変わりました。 says that the initial impression was good, but the evaluation changed after use.
私の印象では静かな町です。 presents the town as quiet in the speaker's impression. Do not expand this into a judgment shared by everyone.
Does 強い印象が残りました necessarily mean a good impression?
Show the answer and why
No. It gives the strength of the impression. Its positive or negative character requires context.