tinguereguif

in which i compare comments of two professors:
one, who actually had pith, wit, and constructive comments,
and the other, who constantly filled me with rage and confusion

rage and confusion prof:
all i got from this prof was snarky comments,
attacking my ability to write and my choice of words
the kind of prof who is impossible to please,
because of a deep–seated belief that most people are inherently unable to write
but, for someone unknown reason,
grades as though you did nothing wrong
here is but a sample of some of the comments i got on response papers:

• [in response to the description 'pagan areas of africa'] there were also Less Pagan areas?
• [in response to a typo] ??? What does this mean?
• [in response to a typo in a quote] Aha! Cadamosto was 1. not Portuguese, but Venetian and 2. in full command of grammar.
• [in response to the use of the historical term 'Muhammadan'] What does this mean? We call it “Muslim” nowadays, right?
• [in response to native Africans being 'intrigued' with new technology] I’m glad that Cadamosto brought his intrigu-o-meter.
• [in response to my using the word 'intrigued'] Also, don’t use the word intrigued, it means absolutely nothing.
• [in response to a concluding sentence] this sentence adds precisely nothing, it merely wastes space.
• [a general critique of on paper] Your paper is generally good, although you have a number of warped phrases in a kind of falsely erudite english—actually the language, widely spoken among undergraduates, called gibberish. Try to say what you mean and mean what you say. Use precise terms and don't argue by suggestion.
• [in response to my concluding paragraph] This last paragraph isn’t really that interesting. It doesn’t add much to your discussion, does it. Perhaps you could have gone deeper here to make these last sentences worthwhile.
• [in response to my using the word 'extremely'] avoid adjectives in academic prose, and also adverbs—unless absolutely necessary.
• [in response to using the word 'redeeming'] This is a loaded word, right?
• [in response to using the word 'neutral'] It’s a bit too safe of a position, though. Surely the dead Indians did not find the Europeans “neutral”.
• [in response to the term 'comparably little resistance' to Christian missions] also, comparatively few converts—like none.

final grade for this course: 4.0
given the level of semantic bitching this prof did,
you'd think i warranted a 2.0
what a cocksucker


pith and wit prof:
this prof was actually enjoyable to be in class with
i always got interesting and engaging discussions
along with amusing sentiments and downright oddities
this prof also had a very present sense of humor
which you could catch in virtually any context
here is but one of the emails i got over the course of the semester:

Title: Alien Mind Control
Dear all: Some of you have asked me in a panic when your final drafts are due. Clearly, you silly earthlings, you have not read my mind. I can accept them up until the morning of the 4th, the day when many of you Terrans go shoot off things that make loud noises and scare dogs. That is a Monday by your reckoning. I will see you all on what you call Thursday. I will be the one with the spaceship that has cool landing gear.


which would you rather have?
...that's what i thought