Decoding professors

What The Professor Really Means

                      ---------------------------------
                          By J. Timothy Petersik
                  from the Chronicle of Higher Education

You'll be using one of the leading        I used it as a grad student.
textbooks in the field.

If you follow these few simple rules,     If you don't need any sleep, you'll
you'll do fine in the course.             do fine in the course.

The gist of what the author is saying     I don't understand the  details
is what's most important.                 either.

Various authorities agree that...         My hunch is that...

The answer to your question is beyond     I don't know.
the scope of this class.

You'll have to see me during my office    I don't know.
hours for a thorough answer to your
question.

In answer to your question, you must      I really don't know.
recognize that there are several
disparate points of view.

Today we are going to discuss a most      Today we are going to   discuss my
important topic.                          dissertation.

Unfortunately, we haven't the time to     I disagree with what  roughly half
consider all of the people who made       of the people in this  field have
contributions to this field.                  said.

We can continue this discussion outside   1.  I'm tired of this - let's quit.
of class.                                 2.  You're winning the  argument
                                         let's quit.

Today we'll let a member of the class    I stayed out too late  last night
lead the discussion.  It will be a good  and didn't have time to prepare a
educational experience.                  lecture.

Any questions?                            I'm ready to let you go.

The implications of this study are       I don't know what it means either,
clear.                                   but there'll be a  question about
                                        on the test.

The test will be 50-questions            The test will be  60-questions
multiple choice.                         multiple guess, plus  three short-
                                        answer questions (1000  words or more)
                                        and no one will score  above 55%

The test scores were generally good.     Some of you managed a C+.

The test scores were a little below      Where was the party last night?
my expectations.

Some of you could have done better.      Everyone flunked.

Before we begin the lecture for          Has anyone opened the book yet?
today, are there any questions about
previous material?

According to my sources...               According to the guy who taught
                                        this class last year...

It's been very rewarding to teach        I hope they find someone else to
this class.                              teach it next year.