<p>So, here's the deal. I'm not sure what to do. </p>
<p>I'm in a basic pre-req History course that nearly the entire university has to take at one point in their undergrad education. That means engineers, computer scientists, biologists, whatever-- not exactly known for being the best writers. I'm an English major, and I have very rarely gotten poor grades on essays. My TA quite clearly has some kind of mental deficiency (It's in the Aspergers-autism range) that makes his information very difficult to understand, and his lectures are often distracting and all over the place. He's given me a B or C on every essay so far, no matter how many weeks I spent on it or times I sent it to him for edits and "glance-overs." I've had senior history majors look at it and say, "this is great." I've spent an entire month on one essay, only to have it come back as a nasty B-. </p>
<p>I'm determined to get an A in this class so I can make the honor roll, which is my personal goal. But no matter how many times I meet with him or discuss my paper with him or tell him I'm very determined to get an A, he just ignores me and slaps a B or C on my paper. He'll give me a list of issues to fix every paper, and I always fix everything he tells me to. I ask if that's all; he replies that it "looks good." Then I get a C. </p>
<p>Here's the thing. My science and business-major friends are all getting A's on their papers, even though -I'm- the one editing and correcting their essays. They slap them together the night before it's due, don't even hit spellcheck, and drop into bed. I can't figure out what's wrong, or why no matter how much hard work I put in, the TA still won't give me the grade I've worked for. What's wrong? What can I do? How can I fix this situation?</p>
<p>Well i’m a science major and I always did better in these types of pre-reqs than most people in English or History or such. My honest opinion is that most of them aren’t really good writers, they’re just not particularly good at anything else. But I’m going to take your word for it that you’re a good writer since I don’t know you.</p>
<p>Ok, the thing about these classes is that everything is subjective and if the TA is a jerk who doesn’t like you, you’re screwed. Go talk to the professor teaching the course. I’m assuming that the TA does the grading, but the professor is still in charge - show him all your papers, drafts, comments the TA made, and explain your situation. He/She can override all the TA’s grades, right? Make sure it doesn’t come across like you’re a grade-grubber just looking for an A; explain you’re an English major trying to improve your writing.</p>
<p>And don’t pester your TA too much - grad students are usually really busy and he sounds like a jerk to begin with. Keep in mind this is just 1 class and even if you get a B, you can still make the honor roll if you do well in everything else : )</p>
<p>Definitely go to the professor at this point. It sounds like you’ve already confronted the TA; time to go to the next level. It could be worse though…at least the class isn’t in your major :). For all you know the TA could be doing the same thing to someone else too- the professor should know if he isn’t being fair. </p>
<p>Well, depends. Is the class solely about writing or is there an emphasis on the actual content of your essays? Maybe your handle on the actual history taught isn’t as great as the TA would like. </p>
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<p>Heh same. I find that many science/engineering students can have pretty good prose writing abilities, and many English majors have great creative writing but abysmal with actual prose (though sometimes it has more to do with their arguments than actual style).</p>
<p>I’m not your typical artsy-fartsy creative writing major. I’m pretty pragmatic in my writing style and don’t try to get too flowery. I’m also pursuing a double major in Human Computer Interaction (UI design) and take classes in programming, so I’m a little on the science-y side as well. </p>
<p>However, that aside, it’s not a real history course, as bad as that sounds. It’s actually listed as a “writing skills course” rather than a history course, and its counterpart is an Argument class which I aced with no trouble. The point of the class is to take opposing views on a historical event and analyze/interpret them according to a prompt. I’m going to be talking to my professor about the grades though, as suggested, and thanks for all of your advice so far :)</p>
<p>EDIT: Also don’t understand the random antagonism towards English majors. I don’t hate on you bio majors for “not being good at anything else besides pouring crap into test tubes,” so I’d appreciate it if you’d treat me with respect as well!</p>
<p>Haha no one is being antagonistic toward English majors - it’s just that you repeatedly said science majors don’t do well in these types of courses and I wanted to point out that’s not really true. I mean it’s not like this is an upper-level English class for majors, it’s a gen ed, right? No offense but they’re usually supposed to be easy so everyone can pass :/</p>
<p>I took a class last semester where the TA didn’t speak English and didn’t know what she was talking about. I went to the professor, and problem solved :)</p>
<p>*Edit: On the other hand, if the Professor agrees with the TA for some reason, then I guess you’re screwed. Maybe if other people from your class are having the same problem and you went to talk to the professor together? More power in numbers</p>
<p>Approach the issue delicately though. TAs and professors alike don’t like being approached about grades, so say something like “I’m having issues understanding my T.A. and what he expects of me in my writing assignments. I make the corrections he asks of me, speak to him about expectations beforehand, and have others edit my work but I always do poorly. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, can you perhaps take a look at my past papers and help me?”</p>
<p>Basically, try to not come off as a grade-grubber. Your TA perhaps got this vibe off of you at some point and is consequently punishing you for it (which I’m not arguing is fair or right at all, just saying that this is probably why you’re getting the bad grades).</p>
<p>@pink: I know other people in my class are definitely having problems with this TA-- if not the whole class. In one of his sections, not a single student got above a B minus on the last essay. So you’re right, I will take to this in numbers if diplomacy doesn’t work the first time.</p>
<p>@muzic: I see how that could definitely be the case, too. He seems like the type who would hold a grudge if he suspected something like that. </p>
<p>He’s, um, not really mentally competent, as unfair as that sounds - he can’t even make eye contact or hold a conversation and talks indecipherably. Class is paced weirdly and there are often long pockets of silence (like 10-15 minutes) where he doesn’t ask any questions and just stares at us from the podium like he’s expecting us to get up and dance. I’m not sure if I should bring that up with my professor or just ignore that factor of his teaching…?</p>
<p>Perhaps he’s a writing savant? lol, I can see this happening for a math class but I’m a tad surprised a class somewhat centering about communication (in writing style but still) would have a T.A. like this. But I wouldn’t bring this up as its not relevant to your problem; if the professor asks you how the T.A. is doing go ahead, but I feel like this should be reserved for end of the year T.A. class reviews (he’s not going to be replaced at this late point, probably).</p>
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Maybe if other people from your class are having the same problem and you went to talk to the professor together? More power in numbers</p>