I just want to ask any professors on the board how exactly they would grade this mistake. I just took a midterm, and am not looking forward to getting the test back after spring break.
Okay, let me lay the groundwork. I’m a student in college, and right now I’m taking a 300-level political theory class. We have two tests, a midterm and a final, each worth 50% of the grade.
Today was the midterm. Hour and 15 minutes long, two essay questions.
First essay question was worth 2/3rds, comparing Locke and Hobbes. Basic stuff. Not too bad.
Second essay question reads: “How would Machiavelli respond to charges that he is a teacher of evil?”
I start writing about the question I thought I read, “How would Machiavelli respond to charges that the teacher is evil?” Then 2 1/2 pages later, I realize that I misread the question.
So I wrote, “I just rralized that I misread the question, so in the remaining 15 minutes I will try to answer the correct question.” So I hammer out 1 1/2 more pages directly related to the real question, as quickly as I can.
So how would any teachers out there grade this? An honest mistake, but an essay largely not related to the question asked. Still, the first half is accurate to the teachings of Machiavelli… Should I be worried?
First of all, I would have a good, hearty chuckle over the fact that you could even think this was the actual question without stopping yourself before jumping into the essay!
Personally, I would probably go easy on you, esp. if your response to the first question was good, and all the more so if what you were writing in your first Machiavelli essay had something interesting to say, demonstrated mastery of the material, etc. But I’m a softie.
If I were you, I would ASAP type up a letter to the prof explaining exactly what happened (including what you mistakenly thought the essay question was). If the class is really important to you, take half an hour and type up your response to the actual question, too, and give it to the prof with your letter. Might score you some sincerity/earnesty points, might not.
I’ve seen this many times. First, it was good behaviour on your part to write the clarification then bang out the rest. Second, write said prof and email and explain further.
I would go easy on you. It was an honest mistake, I’ve given hundreds of essay exams and I’ve seen this many times. However, be prepared for this response, and I know some of the other profs and teachers on the boards will agree with me: <<scralled next to your confession of misreading the Q>>
I understand your error, however, I implore you to read each Q slowly, and carefully in the future.
Also keep in mind this was a 300 level class. You should have taken many essay exams before now…be that as it may, it was an honest mistake.*
[sup]just don’t let it happen again[/sup]
I have two classes taking the mid-term this afternoon. The Theories of personality 202 class has a one question essay, and stats has a 21 Q mid-term. Do not forget…tests and essays are meant to measure your understanding and overall grasp of the concept. If you write 2 pages os BS and a half page of factual understanding…you will still most likely pull a 78. If you write 1 1/2 pages of factual understanding and are clear and succinct you may get an 91…
Since the point of the question is to find out what you know about Machiavelli, I would evaluate your answer on that basis. I would consider the knowledge you demonstrated both in the “wrong” part of your essay, as well as what you hastily wrote after you realized your mistake. I’d probably still dock you a few points for carelessness, though, sorry–but no more than, say, 5% of the points for that question.
Okay, I just wrote a letter to the professor explaining. Hopefully it won’t hurt me too much. I had visions of getting a D on this test, and being in serious trouble for the course. Hopefully won’t happen. Thanks everyone.
Also, I’ve decided against trying to rewrite the essay in the e-mail. As tempting as it is, I don’t want to be seen as grade-grubbing, and I doubt he would use it anyway since it would be unfairly in my favor (considering a closed book test).
Yeah, I understand that. I think my first half (incorrect half) of the essay was actually well written, and shows some knowledge of the subject. Hopefully that will work in my favor.
