Appealing Grade - PLEASE HELP

mvaldez

I recently finished a paper for PSCYHX99. For those of you who have not taken it consists of a exploratory paper, first draft, and a final draft. I handed back my "final package" which supposedly consisted of a final draft and my first draft. I received a zero on my final paper because I did not hand in the first draft as part of the final package which the professor claimed was required for marking my final paper. Of course, I did not intend to not hand in my first draft in my final package as I have been a student who has done everything in required in the course. However, it said on the syllabus that what she required in the final package is the peer-reviewed draft so I assumed she did not require a the first draft but rather the draft I gave to my peer before the first draft. I suppose I should have checked with my classmates but I went solely on the what the syllabus said and did not question it. I was wondering what you guys think I should do? I mean, I want to appeal this grade because my paper was not even marked and it was given a zero. I really need this grade to gain my scholarship back.


Thanks!

Fogell

Thats pretty unfair... Is the first draft the part where the prof reviews it and tells you what changes you need to make? Ive heard that's how its done in some English courses ..either way, obviously you should appeal it
http://www.psyc.sfu.ca/ugrad/index.php?topic=faqs#appealgrade18

Simon

I would definitely talk to a faculty advisor about it, or at least email the professor and ask if you can still hand in your first draft. It's kind of harsh to throw away your whole paper because of one minor oversight. Did you not go to tutorials or something? They usually walk you through all that stuff, and even mention it in lecture...

mvaldez

Hi, thanks for the responses. I'm not really sure what to do at this point. My Professor is out of town this week until thursday, and I wanted to try and resolve it without having to formally write an appeal letter but do you think that's too late?

Also, went to all tutorials but one, but I was excused; however, I based my final package on the syllabus the night before, and it claimed it needed the peer-reviewed draft which was incredibly misleading since we did technically did two drafts, one for peer-review and one as the official first draft to be handed in to her. At that time I was under the impression she wanted the peer-reviewed draft the one I gave to one of my classmates and not the the first draft I gave to her. I have evidence of discrepancies in her syllabus as well as the other hand outs.

siuying

good luck on appealing the grade.. i was in a similar situation before where i followed the course syllabus to hand in my paper and got marks docked off cause "it wasn't handed in properly" (like really? i get my paper in on time and you still had to be an ass and dock off marks?) he said he addressed the discrepancies in lecture and honestly i didn't hear him say anything about it or was it even documented on his ppt slides.. so it was a he said she said situation and i lost the battle..

some profs can be big bullies..