[I_teach_writing]

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when you write the first paper for a class and you end up getting a grade that you're not happy with, for example you get a B when you wanted the A, should you:

1. talk to the RA (who graded the paper) or the teacher (who didn't grade it) or both to discuss this?

2. how should you start the conversation? "Can you tell me what I should've done to get the A?" , "What did I do wrong?" or "How can I improve next time?" Basically I want them to know that I WANT the A. So how I approach this?

Is it worth it to talk to them about this?>

Thanks

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In my experience the best way to go about this is to go the RA/TA who graded the paper. Tell him/her that you appreciated the feedback she/he gave you and you would like to talk about how your writing and the paper can be improved.

In other words, go see the instructor and say you want to improve your *writing* or you want to improve your *paper*; don't show up asking what you can do for an A. The distinction may be minor, but I am more interested in helping students if they want to improve their writing and not their grade. If you do the revisions and they don't bump your grade--that sucks, but it would likely be unusual. And if that happens, next time take a draft of the paper in before it is due to get feedback in advance.

Also, sometimes there are no quick fixes for an A. I'll have students with a B paper who ask what they can do for an A, and I'll tell them to re-write two thirds of the paper.