The DABDA Stages of Assessment Grief

This is a humorous analysis of typical reactions students exhibit when they receive an assignment mark they don't like. Hopefully, it helps student react logically -- rather than emotionally -- to what they perceive as negative feedback.

1. Let’s be rational about this The DABDA Stages of Assessment Grief

2. denial Emotional Response: “I've never had marks like this before !” Logical Analysis:   This is a red herring argument. Those were different assignments, with different assessment criteria and levels of expectations. I am not responsible for your past experiences; I can only help you through this particular journey.

3. ANGER Emotional Response: “This is b-----t !” Logical Analysis: This is, ironically, a logical assessment, though often expressed as a form of psychological projection. B.S. does not, as the adage goes, baffle brains. I insult both your intelligence and mine when I do not demand that you think when you write.

4. bargaining Emotional Response: “The teacher hates me .” Logical Analysis: This is an ad hoc argument based on a faulty premise. I judge your work, not you. To think otherwise demeans us both.

5. depression Emotional Response: “I'm going to fail. I'll never get to university. My life is over .” Logical Analysis: Hmm. This is a broad generalization based on a lack of concrete evidence. We're talking about one assignment here, folks. The corrections are clear; how you choose to process them could well determine your future. The ball is in your court. (That's a metaphor and a cliché.)

6. acceptance The Reasoned Response: “I have some problems to address in my writing. I'll take out my ‘things to improve’ list when I begin my next assignment. I'll start earlier, so I have time to do more edits. If I fix the problems, my writing will improve, and so will my mark .” The Logical Analysis: This is the voice of logic, not emotion. This is the voice of real maturity, demonstrating a work ethic that will serve you well. This shows true confidence in your ability to meet challenges. The more challenges you tackle, the more resilient you become. (This is a circular argument, but in this case, not a logical fallacy.) This makes it easier to bypass the above four stages, and get on with whatever wonderful things you wish to achieve.

7. Some quotes to ponder “Success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard for twenty-two minutes to make sense of something that most people would give up on after thirty seconds.”   ―  Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers: The Stories of Success "I am a strong believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it .“ ― Benjamin Franklin