pet peeve

dear student getting a B+ instead of the A you are so sure you deserve,

the fact that you are not doing as well in my class as you might like to do is probably more about how YOU understand and execute assignments, rather than about me not being clear about what i "want." what i WANT is for you to write something very very good that shows that you are challenging yourself and using class concepts to think differently, rather than rely on old habits and wait for some secret recipe. i have given extremely explicit instructions designed to encourage this type of thing, along with detailed grading rubrics, and have pointed out exactly what does and does not work in the papers you have given me, so before you go around saying you don't know what i "want," you might consider other possible reasons for YOUR not doing as well as YOU "want." (note emphasis.) in fact, since you noticed the unusual nature of one of my assignments, you should already be somewhat aware of what i "want." contrary to what some of you scientists might think, writing is not "subjective," nor is it easy. i am trying to demonstrate both points, while giving you equipment for disciplining your writing and making it work better. because that is what i "want."

sincerely yours,

elizabeth