I don't exactly like grading. Right now, it's just assignments, but a lot of little things can add up to a lot of inconvenience. I'm not one of those "trigger happy" graders who take off points whenever I feel like it--I always explain my point deductions. For one, I know how frustrating it is to get something back with "-5" and nothing else. Because then I ask, what did I get wrong and why the five points? It's much easier all around if it's explained at the onset.
And then there are the assignments themselves. Some people have horrible handwriting to the point of illegibility. Others like to write everything in one big, squished chunk with no paragraph breaks. And yet others will write their assignment out in red. Well, I'm not going to let my grading blend into their work. I'm not even going to use the usual blue or black pen which would be practical. No, I'm breaking out my green pen. It's a small thing, but I take my amusement where I can get it.
But even the handwriting problem alone makes me grimace whenever I think about the profs putting in essay questions on the exams. If only penmanship had been stressed more in grade school or keyboards provided for everyone.
