(All too) FAQ
Q: Hi, I was wondering if I could get my grades by the end of this week?
A: Well, technically, school isn't even out at the end of this week.
Q (cont'd): Well, yeah, but I figured since we didn't have a final, I could just get the grade for my essay this week.
A: No. I'm going to be grading paper for four classes, that's roughly 80 papers of 5 page length, plus finals in one of those classes and rewrites in all four of those classes. I expect to be reading and grading some 600 pages of material.
Q (cont'd): Could you maybe do mine first?
A: No.
Q (cont'd): I really need to know that grade ASAP.
A: I hear you.
Q (cont'd): So, when do you think you could get me my grade?
A: When the school releases your grades, I suppose.
Q (cont'd): You mean with everyone else? I need it sooner than that.
A: Well, how about this: part of your grade is participation. So, let's say I dock you 2% off of your grade for every e-mail like this that you've sent me. You see my problem? I've already docked you 12%, but am I done? Are you?
A: Well, technically, school isn't even out at the end of this week.
Q (cont'd): Well, yeah, but I figured since we didn't have a final, I could just get the grade for my essay this week.
A: No. I'm going to be grading paper for four classes, that's roughly 80 papers of 5 page length, plus finals in one of those classes and rewrites in all four of those classes. I expect to be reading and grading some 600 pages of material.
Q (cont'd): Could you maybe do mine first?
A: No.
Q (cont'd): I really need to know that grade ASAP.
A: I hear you.
Q (cont'd): So, when do you think you could get me my grade?
A: When the school releases your grades, I suppose.
Q (cont'd): You mean with everyone else? I need it sooner than that.
A: Well, how about this: part of your grade is participation. So, let's say I dock you 2% off of your grade for every e-mail like this that you've sent me. You see my problem? I've already docked you 12%, but am I done? Are you?


3 Comments:
I'm sure every instructor has that conversation at least once a year. I know as a student I asked this question on at least a few occasions.
600 pages of undergrad writing... Well, hey, look on the bright side: At least it's double-spaced.
(It's a wonder you're still able to put together a coherent sentence after all that. I'd be afraid all of their awful writing habits would wear off on me.)
Any writing habits are better than none. :)
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