August 18, 2025
In a world where the quality of writing and literature often comes under scrutiny, it is essential to shift our focus towards the positive aspects of education and inspire our students to embrace their potential.
To the editor:
I was taken aback by the recent commentary from an anonymous AP Literature and Composition reader regarding his experience in Salt Lake City. His condescending and arrogant tone was not only disappointing but also indicative of a troubling mindset. While I understand that everyone has off days, his self-pity and dismissive attitude towards the event he willingly participated in were disheartening.
It is perplexing to witness someone who perceives themselves as above the very experience they chose to engage in. Ignoring the guidance of his table leaders and skimming through essays instead of reading them thoroughly, he seemed to revel in the minimal scores he awarded. His reaction to being asked to adhere to the established guidelines was nothing short of shocking. I can only imagine the impact this negligence had on the AP students whose work he evaluated.
Moreover, he used his experience as a lens to critique the broader educational landscape. While he took breaks for himself, he criticized his colleagues for adapting to the AP process. His return from this experience was marked by complaints about the quality of coffee rather than a constructive dialogue about the challenges facing education today.
There are indeed significant issues affecting college writing, such as the uncritical use of technology by students and the inadequacy of certain assignments in evaluating learning outcomes. Given these pressing concerns, it seems shortsighted to focus solely on the perceived lack of insightful writing in a limited sample of essays. His sweeping generalizations about the future of education and the humanities are not only unfounded but also detrimental.
A discerning reader might recognize that hastily written essays, influenced by various external factors, are unlikely to reflect a student’s true capabilities. The author’s fixation on these flawed submissions reveals a deeper issue: a preference for showcasing his own tastes rather than acknowledging the successes that many essays contain. As research in positive psychology suggests, cultivating gratitude can be a powerful antidote to negativity.
If I were to draw conclusions based on limited examples, I might argue that the anonymous writer embodies a troubling form of virtue signaling. He expresses concern for the service workers who support the event while simultaneously indulging in the very privileges he critiques. He highlights the challenges faced by female professors while disregarding the contributions of his female table assistant. It raises the question of whether he truly understands the complexities of the issues he discusses.
Perhaps my reaction is overly strong. I have a deep-seated aversion to the persona he projects, which contributed to my decision to leave academia after completing my Ph.D. In many academic settings, particularly in the humanities, self-promotion and posturing are all too common. Seven years ago, I transitioned to high school teaching and now serve as an AP Literature reader, where I find myself surrounded by the optimism and enthusiasm of young minds, a refreshing contrast to the cynicism often found in higher education.
It is unfortunate that the author chooses to wear his disillusionment as a badge of honor. His misanthropy and unrealistic expectations overshadow the potential for growth and learning. It is regrettable that he felt compelled to publicly criticize an experience that could have been an opportunity for reflection and improvement.
While I was not present at his table this year, I can only imagine that my positive outlook would have been met with disdain. Instead of lamenting the challenges of evaluating essays or the state of writing, we should embrace our roles as educators. Few professions allow us to influence so many lives directly.
As we guide our students in honing their writing skills and developing critical thinking, let us also instill in them a sense of hope and possibility. By fostering a positive attitude, we can help them recognize the value in celebrating their achievements and the achievements of others.