I personally feel that I wrote an awesome paper 'A' all the way. When I got the paper back, my grade was a miserable 'C'? The grammar, and sentence structure was all perfect....it was the topic that the professor didn't like. She didn't agree with my point of view and gave me a 'C'. Now I've never gotten a 'C' on a paper before so I'm dumbstruck. I've scanned the paper, the things she marked me off for were the margins, and font, which were correct. (I just double-checked), and she felt that I was being too subjective, when I actually thought my use of statistics and concrete proof backed up my theory. I guess my problem was that I chose a 'racial' topic, and I guess people are more sensitive than most. The worst thing is she's a substitute teacher! I was already uncomfortable with the fact that the rest of my grade was going to be decided by a professor I never met! My previous professor would've loved my topic, but now I have to change everything. What do I do?
Change or Complain?
2007-04-09 10:16:26 · 6 answers · asked by A 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You said you paper had a "racial" theme. Was your view politically correct? If not, then expect a less-than-stellar grade. Colleges are so busy propogating the liberal agenda that they give no time to other views.
Check with your university on appealing the grade. You have nothing to lose.
2007-04-09 10:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by Stimpy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There's another option: Schedule a meeting with this professor, or whoever will be delivering your final grade in this course. Tell them that you'd like to understand what you did wrong so you can learn from the experience and adjust your paper so that you are happy with the topic and she is happy with your arguments. Respectfully disagree if you believe the professor to be truly wrong--but hear her out before making your argument. Perhaps she thought your evidence came from biased sources, or that your concrete proof wasn't so concrete? You'll never know until you ask.
If you feel there are some aspects of the paper that were indisputably correct, but you were marked off for them (such as the font and margins), point this out. Ask if you can have credit for these.
Good luck.
2007-04-09 10:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by kimpenn09 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what you meant by substitute teacher - do you mean by a TA? That's common practice in colleges.
Colleges expect perfect grammar and sentence structure as a starting point - if you aren't convincing, you're still not going to pass. You said you backed up your idea with proof, but your topic was 'racial', so I'm guessing your sources weren't up to par. There is a lot of crap out there, and you need to be able to determine who was able to back up what they were saying in the first place, and who was just writing out of their ***.
Can you rewrite it? Then consider it. If you really think you were graded incorrectly, then take it up with the first professor. If they aren't around, then take it to the dept head or something.
2007-04-09 10:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I woud discuss this with the teacher and tell him or her how you feel. Explain to them that you do not think the grade you received was fair because it was your opionin and you are entitled to you opinion, even if someone else does not agree with you. If that does not help go to the next person who is an authority figure and see what they say. Next time however you may want to consider checking with the professor to see if they approve of this topic for you to write about.
2007-04-09 12:33:58 · answer #4 · answered by Susan R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
welcome to the real world of college. it does not matter that you may be right. it matters that the professor does not agree with your point of view .there is no such thing as being entitled to your own opinion with some professors. it also does not matter that your previous professor would have love your topic, and they probably would have hated someone elses. i would make an appointment to speak to the professor to see if the reason was the topic and if it is whether it can be redone. good luck
2007-04-09 12:37:04 · answer #5 · answered by margaret k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aha....the key phrase here is substitute teacher! The only unreasonably bad grades I've ever gotten were from student teaching assistants and adjuncts. Unestablished and inexperienced teachers who give bad grades to try to prove that they are not pushovers. You might want to discuss grades with other students in the class, I'll bet she was tough on them too.
2007-04-09 10:24:10 · answer #6 · answered by Lee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋