I am sitting my my office at the university, listening to a student berate another adjunct for giving him bad grades and for calling him to task for acting out in class.

The student is arrogant and clearly thinks he is “special.” He spent 30 minutes trying to manipulate her and argue her down. Because he only acted out once. Because he’s always been a strong writer, he says.
(I’ve heard this before.)

“My writing style and your grading style are not compatible,” he said.
Say whaaat????

The professor held her own best she could.

I haven’t had one of these yet. I can’t see any of my students speaking to me in that manner.

And if one did, I think I’d simply say “I’m a professional writer and a professor who teaches writing. I find your writing style to be substandard, as would any other writing professional. There’s no compatibility issue. It’s a fact. You need to improve to get a better grade. I’ll help you, but you have to do the work.”

Oh, I felt for that prof.