Red Inked

1987.  Reader Response Essay:  The Thrilling Conclusion (with end comment).  Writes:  ”You seem on the verge of breaking through…”  Thinks:  ”Not so much.  Perhaps you could apply these reader response methodologies to the s/ash grade.  It says B+ but it means B.”

Circa 1987.  Never give an 18 year old some Stanley Fish to read AND ask said 18 year to use reader response theory to explain reader response theory in an essay.  You’re gonna have write the phrases “unnecessary,”  ”not too useful rhetorically,”  ”too general” and (that old standby) “awk & unclear.”  Notice he throws in the towel at the end of the page:  ”ok—this is ok.”  A long way from the optimism of “good opening sentence.”  As you wish, Mr. Fish.

1988.  The commitment-shy professor:  ”This is almost a very good paper.”  ”The writing is by no means bad.”  Doesn’t mean it’s good though. 

Circa 1989.  It’s either the classic backhanded compliment (…”without making this argument explicit, you say as much”) or an unsubtle hint (“how about a thesis there, missy?”).  Bonus: the s/ash grade, a.k.a. I’m-a-pussy-and-can’t-bring-myself-to-give-you-the-B-that-you-really-deserve.

Circa 1988.  ”I really should give you a B- or a C+ on account of the errors in vocabulary…”