unfair professor comment

[penguincutie]

Removed

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by penguincutie

This just happened to me today, and I'm sick over it.

I take creative writing classes. Today was a critique day. Unfortunately, my professor really did not like my story. This was fine... that's what critiques are for, to learn. However, she then decided to not only critique my story... but to critique ME.

Two of my stories for the class have involved mothers who were less than wonderful (and in only one of them was that mother the main character.) They are fiction; I have a great mom, and they have nothing to do with her or any other part of my life. My teacher did not like this, apparently, and ended my critique with: "You need to confront your issues before you write any more."

Maybe I'm just being ridiculous, I don't know. But for her to say something like this in front of the entire class... I'm still crying hours later. I mean, she herself has said in the past that we should be critiquing stories, not authors, and then to do this...? My friends want me to say something to her, but I just don't know if I can. Do you think this is a big deal? What should I do?

I also think it is a big deal if you are still crying hours later.

Since the old saying goes "write what you know" it appears your professor has made an erroneous conclusion.

Yes you should speak privately with her. Explain to her you were trying to stretch your fiction, creative writing ability into *unknown* realms, perhaps through research etc. Point out that since you don't personally know about any of the "poor mothering" skills you wrote about, perhaps she errored in her conclusion, because you wrote well enough that she obviously found it believable.

I don't think for a second that Jodi Piccoult knows first hand any of the material she includes in her remarkable books, but she sure researches the hell out of what she is writing. She is fabulous...and you could be headed that way as well.

[ree-Xi]

I majored in English and concentrated in Journalism.

In the literary world, there is a saying that basically says that despite one's intentions, an author's first novel is largely an autobiography. That's because we write what we know.

Perhaps the professor is worried that because that you used the same idea/character/topic for a second project. So he/she thinks that you either have no more ideas, or that you are working through something. I am pretty sure that by using very similar elements in two different pieces, you had opened yourself to his bringing it up. Sure he could have handled it differently, but the most critical professors are the ones I learned most from.

Never marry your work. Do your best and move on. If you got a sucky grade, ask for a rewrite. And next time, leave the bad mommy out of the story.

[SWTXBelle]

Personally, I would have said that you simply needed to try writing without the character of the bad mother. However, your professor, rightly or wrongly, sees the repetition of the character as a problem - whether personally or simply from the perspective of how it is affecting your writing. Apparently, the professor has misinterpreted it as being a personal problem. ree-Xi has given you some good advice. Do go talk to the professor, but try and keep your emotions out of it. Focus on asking how you can improve your writing - that's what you are paying the professor for, after all. Let any personal type criticisms roll off your back. He/she's there to help you with your creative writing, not to give you therapy.

[Senusret I]

First of all, I have been in workshop classes for undergrad and grad school. The professor's comments have usually been written directly on the work. He or she would rarely comment during class on student work, and if they did, it focused on the positive. The real harsh critiquing was always between students, in small groups.

Your professor was wrong. I'd probably write her an email, calmly and rationally asking her not to make comments such as the ones she made to you. Explain why, especially the part about it being a personal critique and not a writing critique. You CC the department chair.

She does it again -- it's harassment. Then you sue her ass.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

First of all, I have been in workshop classes for undergrad and grad school. The professor's comments have usually been written directly on the work. He or she would rarely comment during class on student work, and if they did, it focused on the positive. The real harsh critiquing was always between students, in small groups.

Your professor was wrong. I'd probably write her an email, calmly and rationally asking her not to make comments such as the ones she made to you. Explain why, especially the part about it being a personal critique and not a writing critique. You CC the department chair.

She does it again -- it's harassment. Then you sue her ass.

Hmmm usually I am in agreement with you, Senusret, but as someone who had several "mean professors" who lambasted my written words, I can tell you that there is a contingency of teaching personnel who use harsh criticism as a method of motivating students. Is it fun? no, but hardly sue-worthy.

To the OP - In all likelihood, this guy/lady has been this way for a while, and you have to figure out how to deal with it. Many people have bosses who are 10x worse than this professor. So you have a few choices.

A private conversation might help this situation. If not, a mediary or in worst case, taking the class with a different professor might be the answer. A few important questions - is he tenure? department head? That might help you figure out how to formulate your thoughts.

Good luck!

[Senusret I]

I agree with you mostly. I just don't think that what the OP described falls under "harsh criticism." I think it was a personal attack.

I had a professor who, on a weekly basis, called my poetry histrionic among other things. He just didn't like it. But he never said anything that made me think he didn't like me.

I just think from this point whatever she does should be documented.

[RaggedyAnn]

This reminds me of my English 101 paper. We had to write a pro/con paper. We were given three topics to choose from and I chose. Problem? My professor was a major political player in the opposite opinion I took. When I got the paper back, I had a C. Her critique was about my opinion, not how I wrote it. 20 years later I wish I had had the guts to say something to her about it.

You have to think about how much you care about her opinion. You may want to let her know you are writing a fiction piece and ask how you could have improved upon it seeing as you have no relevant experience.

By the way, I love Jodi Picoult's books too. I don't want to hijack the thread, but her new book came out yesterday and so far it is awesome!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree with you mostly. I just don't think that what the OP described falls under "harsh criticism." I think it was a personal attack.

I had a professor who, on a weekly basis, called my poetry histrionic among other things. He just didn't like it. But he never said anything that made me think he didn't like me.

I just think from this point whatever she does should be documented.

I agree. Commenting on someone's mental/emotional state in front of an entire class is completely inappropriate.

[Lady Pi Phi]

This reminds me of a story my dad told me. When he was in first year university, his English professor asked the class on their first day what their favourite book was. My dad's classmates all answered with things with a typical pompous answer in the hopes they would impress the professor. When he got to my dad, my dad answered "The Lord of the Rings". His professor proceeded to ridicule him in front of the whole class for liking such a book. My dad never said anything, and to this day regrets not standing up for himself

The professor asked the class what their favourite book was, not what the greatest piece of literature was.

I think you should say something, Stand up for yourself.

[Kappamd]

I have a physics professor right now who calls on me at random EVERY DAY, sometimes more than once a day because I sit in the front of the class. Mind you, most people in the class have never been called on. A couple weeks ago, he called my name and I didn't know the answer. He proceeded to tell me I was lazy, that I don't put enough time into my schoolwork, and that I was going to be lucky to earn a C in the class because I don't care about my grades. (I've never gotten a C in my life!) This went on for a good five minutes in front of the entire class. I was practically in tears when I left, and now I hate going to class every single day. I didn't say anything then, but I wish I had. If you have the courage that I clearly didn't, then I would definitely say something to this teacher. It would probably make you feel better to stand up for yourself, and hopefully prevent your "issues" from becoming a factor in the grading of your future papers.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Jen

I seriously don't buy her response.

She probably got embarrassed at being caught making a personal judgement and tried to cover it up with something proper. FAIL.

i agree.

that is absolutely no acceptable that she even said that IN FRONT OF THE CLASS and then gave you a cop-out repsonse via email.

[Senusret I]

^^^ ditto, and ditto

If she does anything like it again, take it to the next level -- department chair and your academic advisor or associate dean in charge of your studies.

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by penguincutie

This just happened to me today, and I'm sick over it.

I take creative writing classes. Today was a critique day. Unfortunately, my professor really did not like my story. This was fine... that's what critiques are for, to learn. However, she then decided to not only critique my story... but to critique ME.

Two of my stories for the class have involved mothers who were less than wonderful (and in only one of them was that mother the main character.) They are fiction; I have a great mom, and they have nothing to do with her or any other part of my life. My teacher did not like this, apparently, and ended my critique with: "You need to confront your issues before you write any more."

Maybe I'm just being ridiculous, I don't know. But for her to say something like this in front of the entire class... I'm still crying hours later. I mean, she herself has said in the past that we should be critiquing stories, not authors, and then to do this...? My friends want me to say something to her, but I just don't know if I can. Do you think this is a big deal? What should I do?

Being that I have been in this situation before, I can certainly understand how you are feeling. If you are nervous about speaking face-to-face regarding the matter, you should certainly send a "nice" email regarding this. I have had very difficult teachers who say certain things as a motivating method---sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

I believe the difference is the "critiques" that work have nothing to do with the student personally but only deals with work itself and how the work can be improved. Regardless, your professor was wrong, and the fact that those comments where said to you in front of your peers was very inappropriate. She may need to be reminded of her own words regarding critiquing the story and not the author---apparently she has forgotten. To not say anything would just allow a negative energy to fester in an environment where you should be learning.

But, seriously, I would send an email (blind copy yourself) so that the conversations are documented and if that doesn't work then you may need to go to the next level. I would say it is a big deal for the simple fact that it is bothering you. Professors are people too; just remain respectful and professional and I think things will work itself out. But my advice would be to definitely speak on it.

[Velocity_14]

LOL...well...I'm late..lol...my bad...but as the others have said I am not buying her response either. If that is what she meant, she would have said that.