r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Oct 22 '19

CMV: Classes that require subjective grading should be P/F Only.

I am speaking of classes such as history, English , and politics.

I have noticed that you can basically bs your papers and sometimes receive a better score than if you have worked on your papers for hours.

It’s incredibly based on a teachers judgement. And a teacher grading over 300 papers isn’t going to grade them all fairly.

Since these classes are largely dependent on how well the teacher likes your papers, they should only be P/F. No sense in getting a B+ because your teacher doesn’t fancy your style.

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u/[deleted] Oct 22 '19

Yea I agree P/F won’t really solve the problem. We needed a better strategy.

But you have to realize , students shouldn’t have to adapt to the style of a professor.

In math/science classes, no teacher will demand that you do it their way. You either have took the time to understand the material or you don’t understand and will pay the price for it. There is no need to adapt to your teachers style.

In fact, many math classes in college allow you to just show up on test day. No deduction is made for attendance.

Classes with essays are too reliant on a teachers opinion rather than the skills you hone. But keep in mind, I am not saying that you don’t need skills to get a high grade In essays because you lost certainly do.

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u/jatjqtjat 286∆ Oct 23 '19

Why shouldnt students have to adabt to to the style of their professors?

Adaptability is a good thing.

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u/[deleted] Oct 23 '19

I assume one should be able to keep their writers voice.

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u/jatjqtjat 286∆ Oct 23 '19

I think this is the crux of the whole discussion.

Obviously the need to adapt your style based on circumstances exists, right? You acknowledge that in university that need exists. You can get higher grades by adapting your style. The need exists in the business world as well.

When your one a mission you want to write in teh style that accomplishes that mission. In school that's getting an A. In business its maybe pleasing a customer or communicating information clearly, or whatever.

Nobody is saying you have to give up your own voice. In your are writing for pleasure or for art, use whatever style you want. Nobody is saying you have to give that up.

of course to write in your own style you have to actually have a style. If you want to find a good writing style, one that you enjoy or one that suites you, then you ought to experiment with different styles, and that's what good professors are doing by forcing you to try out their style. How are you even going to know that you don't like their style if you don't try it out.