Hello everyone:

I got an email today from a student who was very upset about the feedback I gave her on a document she had written. She called me a variety of things, none of which were very flattering. At all.

The interesting thing was that the document she had written was worth a low C. If she takes the advice I gave her, she might pull an A on the document.

So what’s the hassle? Does she object to an A? I would have thought she would be grateful. I told her exactly what was wrong and why and I told her how to fix it. She seemed to have a specific problem with subject/verb agreement, putting single nouns with plural pronouns, and using the possessive “‘s” when she meant plural.

I suggested that she visit this blog for an in-depth discussion of these issues. She was mad because I did not take the time to explain them to her personally, but that I asked her to visit this site.  There were 15 other students with similar problems today, and I suggested they all come here. That way, I told her, I did not have to repeat myself.

She thinks I am lazy and was very put out at the whole feedback idea. Folks, I do not get paid anything for this blog. In fact, it costs me time and money to maintain it. I do this twice a week, and have done so for the past two years (this August) because I sincerely care about helping my students. Even ones like her.

I hope you enjoy my blog postings, and hope you get a lot of help out of our time together.

Best,

Dr. Sheri