How would you handle this instructor?

Another issue the dean might be interested in.

 

Sorry for all the posts. Allie, please understand that I am not recommending that you go to the dean, even if it sounds like I am. I am saying that you could speak to the dean; not that you should speak to the dean.

 

No problem! I do not intend to take it to the dean unless I can find exactly where it states in APA that I was correct in my quotation and the instructor refuses to admit her wrong doing. The changing of the rules for a paper was also this instructor

Allie

 

I can not speak for others but for me, I do not live to get good reviews. I live to educate, be helpful, and be flexible. The results will follow. While a bad review can hurt, after 3 years of above average reviews I would not worry about one person (if I was right). If I was wrong, I just jump to correct myself.

 

Yea, but you're one of the good ones!

 

My English teacher in high school once assigned a paper in APA format just to expose us to it, normally this teacher used the MLA format. I believe she categorized a certain number of points to proper formatting for that paper and I recall obtaining very few of them.

I have not dealt with this variety of issue for some time, and subsequently, cannot help but read this thread without feeling the whole issue is absurd. For the record I entirely agree with the OP and even if a small infraction was made I rather think the student would be entitled to one pass if the issue was complex enough and the mistake small enough. Of course that is not even applicable to a situation where the teacher is imposing his/her will over accepted norms. This whole story is a telling microcosm of the academia circus.

 

Let's see the paper.

 

I don't think incendiary implications are appropriate after making such a serious error in the reading of the original post. Her gracious explanation to you afterward awards her the benefit of the doubt. The question is not whether or not she is telling the truth, that is the assumption we should make in addressing the question, otherwise the forum degenerates into flaming.

 

Unfortunately, it happens every day. I wish everyone had the exact same standard, but so much of it is in the interpretation of the rules. Drives me nuts, but I just play along. Too tired to fight.

 

If only I could adopt that mentality and make my own life a little easier. I always feel the need to fight tooth and nail with something like this. It rarely works out in my favor; however, I would like to believe that it may work out in the favor of society as a whole.
...
but probably not.

Actually, I must qualify by adding that I had the occasional teacher where on the occasion where I was correct (or could even qualify my mistake) it nearly always worked out in my favor to bring it up. This does not sound like one of those teachers.

 

I checked the APA manual and you are correct - 3.35 Accuracy states that a "quotation must follow the wording, spelling, and interior punctuation of the original source, even if the source is incorrect."

But I would if she did not change her opinion after you first contacted her I would just accept the 5 point deduction and avoid this instructor for future courses.

 

Well it looks like no matter how I say anything, and I am trying to do it nicely mind you, she is not budging. I think I will turn in my final exam (which is essays) and wait for my grade before responding anymore in email since I am right on an A in her class ( I have 92.5).

The last email I sent her I made it out like I was an idiot...lol hoping it would make a difference and this is her reply

"Hi Allie
You will get the APA format rules . Do consider that professors have their preferences as well. While the table you inserted was not APA ( obviously the article it was located in was not in APA format or peer reviewed) you can go to the APA manual 6th edition , page 128. There the format for a table is discussed. Also look at the samples contained within the same chapter. APA format is simple, not colorful or in broad borders etc,

Hope that helps. Good having you in the course"

I made a statement at the end of my email that I hoped I got APA down by the time I finished college.

I think unless I get snarly which I do not want to do because there are limited number of classes I can take that fit into my degree therefore I might have her again, I just have to suck it up and hope I get the full points on my final to keep my A.

Does anyone know if you are to cite different if the source you are citing is not APA? This is my lingering question because she made it out like you cite differently if your source is not an APA article.

Manic---

I love the letter!


Allie

 

No, your citations are based on your paper, not on what style of article you are quoting. You cite exactly the same even if they use another style, and they usually do. Check out that tutorial I sent you, it's got all of those answers.

I think you are wise to wait until your final grade to pursue this. If you get an A anyway, you will have avoided the trouble.

 

Actually as a professor, every paper is worth 100 points (in my classroom). 80 points for content and research and 20 points for APA. Writitng style matters, particularly in fields that use it for research, journals etc. If you are doing graduate work it is essential for the thesis or dissertation. It is learned most easily through lots of term papers. Actually APA guidelines also suggest consistency in terminology when you write. The typcial fashion would be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) the first time and ADHD therafter. Additionally most professors prefer that you do not use exact quotes all the time, only when a particularly important point is being made by an important author. The rest of the time it is better to summarize and give credit through citation. I strongly disagree with your position. Learn APA and move on.

 

Does anyone know if you are to cite different if the source you are citing is not APA? This is my lingering question because she made it out like you cite differently if your source is not an APA article.

Manic---

Actually the guidelines are that if a specifc format is not prescribed, there is still a system....Author, date (year), title, publication (or publisher) and if periodical-- volume, number and pages. If a grant then supporting grant data.

 

From firsthand experience, I can vouch for this statement!

Shawn

 

obecve:

Are you suggesting that the teacher's actions in taking off points for correctly siting the source in an unintuitive way is correct? Or are you suggesting that Ian and Oliver are incorrect in their research that says that the OP's position was the technically correct one? With respect, I do not understand your position.

I believe the OP has clearly shown that she correctly performed the citation by APA guidelines and therefore comments like "learn APA and move on" does not make sense in context.

I believe it is annoying but acceptable for a professor to ask for some changes to a technical standard for whatever reason, but only if it is communicated well. If it is not communicated properly it stands to reason that somebody doing a technically correct job would not be marked off regardless of the professor's preferences, even if it is a widely regarded preference, because to date there is no google psychic.

 

Thank you for the kind words.