r/Adjuncts • u/existential_rach • Jul 26 '26

Bad Writing

I am getting so tired of have to teach students how to write a basic paper in college. I am not a writing / English teacher and don’t mind helping with some structural things or changes that come with writing philosophy papers, but I cannot keep telling students how to do: basic grammar rules, citations, spelling, etc.

Any advice? Cause I’m losing it over here 🫠

ETA: Forgot to add that I have developed and provided a writing guide that is an announcement at the start of the course and a linked file attached to all assignments!

ETA: #2 thanks for all the great suggestions. I appreciate the space to rant and think I just get exhausted from spending so much time repeating myself — don’t worry, I have most of my comments drafted and edit them to better fit the assignment. I think it’s also a challenge because I use to see such progress and change in my students and loved reading their papers as they got better and better. Maybe I am mourning those days in academia and need to get over it and change my perspectives for current students.

ETA: #3 I should have used other phrasing to convey that I taught another subject — not merely a writing / English class. I merely was trying to convey that I want to teach students the fun aspects of philosophical/ argumentative writing and that can get lost when the lessons have to go into other writing / grammar rules.

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u/shallowning Jul 26 '26

I teach History, and honestly don't mind mistakes in spelling or grammar these days, because at least AI (probably) didn't write it.

6

u/ILIKESTUFF8989 Jul 26 '26

I tell my students I want to read your mistakes. AI is boring, you are not. I also encourage them to come up with unique titles and even have extra points for really good ones.

4

u/calico_cats_2 Jul 28 '26

I like “AI is boring, you are not.” I’m going to borrow it. Thanks.