Selected Comments (Positive/Neutral/Negative) by Students

Departmental Evaluations

The following representative comments pertain to aspects of the course students are asked to respond to on departmental evaluation forms, including the instructor's knowledge of material, preparedness, and concern for students' needs; the intellectual level of the course; in-class discussions, writing and reading assignments; and students' assessments of how much their proficiency in thinking, reading, and writing has increased as a result of the course. Each comment should indicate by context the aspect being responded to.

These comments have been excerpted from evaluations for all sections of the course taught during the past school year.

MYWR: WRITING FOR THE PROFESSIONS (Spring/Summer 1998/Winter 1999)             

[The instructor] had everything in order, very neat, accurate.  [The course:]  
There was a lot of work, although not as much as I thought.  He scheduled all  
assignments very well.  I like Cassell's way of assigning assignments.  It is  
very orderly and helpful when preparing for the final paper.                   

[The instructor] always has a plan for class and always gives back papers      
ASAP.  [Proficiency increased?:] Yes, I am more conscientious [sic] of what I  
am writing.                                                                    

Package used in class, assignments, lectures [was rated "excellent" by this     
student].  [The "challenging" intellectual level of course:] The level we      
were graded on was very high, accepted a great deal from us.             

[Additional comments:]Your [sic] expected to put the rest of your class work   
on hold & concentrate on the freakin' paper--well that can't be done.  This    
class needs to be revamped!                                                    

The instructor was helpful, however, I felt at times if I was to ask him a     
question he did not put all of his effort into helping me. [...] Many          
assignments were due[;] there should be more time between assignments.         

[Instructor:] The lessons were set up so that we could learn on a              
step-by-step basis and were very helpful. [...] I feel the class should be     
kept the same way because it kept me from procrastinating.                     

[Instructor:] Students had considerable access--extensive office hours, 24     
hour voicemail, timely return of messages.  [Assignments:] Excellent!          
Structured, focused, and relevant to the outcome of the report and the         
purpose of the class. [Proficiency:] Yes, I fine-tuned my writing skills.      

He was a very conservative grader. I found not too much suggestion with the    
criticism he provided. [...] Sometimes I found his sarcasm frustrating but he  
was very funny at times.                                                       

He went threw [sic] my paper word by word tore it apart!                       

[Instructor:] Met with students and gave them chance to do better work.        
[Proficiency:] Before I used to use "This is" etc but I learned from this      
class how to write more effectively and straightforward in expressing my       
ideas.                                                                         

He was very professional and efficient at teaching writing.  A very excellent  
teacher.  [...however:] his criticism was often severe and merciless. He       
would show no restraint in tearing your hard work apart, thus, your dignity    
and self esteem. [Writing improved?] Yes, I am more critical and careful when  
I write.                                                                       

[The instructor:] had a well put together text for us to [sic] describe each   
assignment thoroughly. [Intellectual level of course:] This class wasn't so    
difficult that I could not keep up but it was definitely challenging.          

Professor was great, entertaining and very intelligent in this area.           
[Proficiency:] Yes, I can see a tremendous difference in my writing since I    
started in this class.                                                         

[Intellectual level:] Although all of us should know how to write by now, the  
class demanded we organize our thoughts, focus on a topic, and discuss and     
present [it] in a professional manner.                                         

He explained each assignment in detail & his class packet was very explicit,   
it seemed well thought out.  He showed concern by having meetings & making     
himself available to all students whenever we needed help.                     

The syllabus & course packet provided for us was very well put together &      
extremely useful.  Also the professor specifically targeted areas of our       
writing [that] may have needed to be reworked. [...] This course is            
challenging because it specifically focuses on the production of a             
well-structured, critically thought-out , professional piece of writing.            
[Proficiency:] [The course] caused me to pay more attention to detail and to   
structure of my writing.

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