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Date Posted: 20:11:57 03/20/03 Thu
Author: PJzallday
Author Host/IP: px1so.cg.shawcable.net / 24.71.223.140
Subject: Re: Can we start General Review and Discussion of B/X "Through Different Eyes"?
In reply to:
Gwynevere1
's message, "Can we start General Review and Discussion of B/X "Through Different Eyes"?" on 21:31:57 03/17/03 Mon
First off, I've standardized my grading for all the fics. I've taken the recommended "Critical Questions when Reviewing Fan Fiction" and alotted each a possible mark when added together results in the final "grade" --- call that the school teacher in me trying to get out, but... well, it's a thing.
Secondly, I don't consider the labels attached to the grading scale quite appropriate. In my mind, 70s are good, 60s: fair, 50s average...., so I hope the author will consider that when she sees the final number I've assigned.
With that said...
My MAIN difficulty with "Though Different Eyes" was the voice of the story and unfortunately that influences marks given in several of the categories. Although the narration and dialogue were quite "clean" with the occasional "Buffyisms" added in, I didn't get the sense that these were teenagers talking --- particularly not Xander. The dialogue and perhaps to an extent the very nature of some conversations were too mature for the characters from early season one. (Buffy's Sunnydale Tour seemed a bit "deep" for season 1 Buffy; and Xander's being so sexually overt about her wardrobe choices for example.)
The narration (particularly in the early parts) and general plot I thought were well presented, and there were several cute/funny lines used by various characters which were in keeping with the tone of the show.
I had some trouble also with the idea that Buffy would be attracted to Xander following his attacking her in "The Pack" (1x06). Early in season 1, I think Buffy was still very idealistic and the whole "bad boy" thing hadn't yet hit her. Still, this was a unique place to start the story, and given the way the author presented Buffy as being more sexuall-charged/minded (than I think she was on the show), it IS plausible that such an attraction could have developped following the event.
The jealousy (both Buffy and Willow's) was believable particularly given that Buffy and Willow hadn't known each other all that long (thus no deep-seeded friendship to really curb one's negative feelings). While it's reasonable for Buffy not to want to hurt Willow, it's also entirely likely that she'd want to have what she wanted: Xander. So that was fine, as presented.
Willow running off when she discovered the relationship (and feeling all bitter, etc) was also VERY believable. Her running to Angel was not. She knew even less about Angel that early in season 1 than Buffy. It simply made no sense to me that she would seek out a stranger --- and come to think of it, how did she find him? (Perhaps a rewrite wherein she runs into him accidentally --- or she's attacked just wandering around and he just happens to be there to save her???) Further to that subplot, I'm not clear on what landed Oz in Willow's hospital room.
Summing up: the story, however well-written and plotted, didn't ring true with me because of the voice(s). The author has a good style, but in this case, I don't think it meshes well with the time-frame.
60/100
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I'm glad to see that you share my feelings about the grading scale! -- Chani :- ), 08:39:55 03/21/03 Fri (curie.noos.net/212.198.0.93)
Must be a teacher thing!
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I have to wonder if you guys just aren't familiar with the American grading scale... -- Bri, 10:19:18 03/21/03 Fri (cpe-66-1-253-227.co.sprintbbd.net/66.1.253.227)
Not that it's any real big deal, because I understand where you're coming from with the grades you gave. But the way our school system works, this is what each grade means:
A (excellent) is 90-100
B (above average) is 80-89
C (average) is 70-79
D (below average) 60-69
F (failing) is 59 and below
So even though a 50 is halfway to 100 and should be average, in American schools, that would mean you were failing and would demonstrate a considerable lack of knowledge concerning the material. Likewise, a 60 or 65 would mean you are at least passing the class, but doing so just barely.
And if you guys already knew this, let me say I feel like a major idiot. LOL But I thought, just in case you're not American (or have never taught/been taught in the American school system), that would at least be an explanation of why the scores are set up the way they are, and why a score of 65 is actually pretty bad.
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Thanks for these details Bri! -- Chani *answers and...a question*, 15:51:28 03/21/03 Fri (curie.noos.net/212.198.0.93)
Well guessed, I am not American! Actually this scale is pretty weird for me...I feel something is missing with your system between excellent and above average, some levels like good, and very good. Besides there is a big room from 0 to 59!
I hope you have understood that 65/100 wasn't bad for me! In France the grading scale is from 0 to 20, and when I give a 10/20 it is average...8-9/20 is below average (or 45-40/100) and a bad mark would be from 0 to 7 (0-35/100). I have graded some papers lately (3 days ago) and the lowest mark I gave was a 4/20 or if you prefer a 20/100!
I gave higher than a 90 here just once, it was a 95, I did love this story (it wasn't even a B/S fic by the way but a non ship one involving Dawn and Ethan!). It was the only time I've given more than 89. For me 100 would be the perfection so 80-90 is already very good!
If I had to mark a fanfic I've found really below average I would give it a mark below 50. I couldn't go higher really. It happened once about a X/W fic (I gave it a 40) ...I was rather surprised because other posters gave it marks above 50 while their reviews were sometimes "worse" than mine!
Now my question: Did the students get sometimes marks below 50, or did they just get a F in US?
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That's news to me. -- PJzallday, 21:38:19 03/21/03 Fri (px1so.cg.shawcable.net/24.71.223.140)
I wasn't aware of your grading system --- I'm Canadian and have never attended nor taught at an American school. (So thanks for the information.)
Here we'd still consider anything about 80% excellent (and that would be translated to an "A" grade where appropriate). Things would go down from there in 10% blocks. Admittedly school systems would consider grades in the 60s (which would be Cs) to be average and the 50s (which would be "D"s) below average so I did wrongly label those ones.
Of course, hit university and the sliding scale and percentages and what their equivalent number grades (whether out of 4 or 9 depending on the institution) might turn out to be are anybody's guess!
My point (in explaining both how I came up with the "grade" and my alterations to the labels given by the group rating scale)is simply that I don't think your story was "below average" and that a solid 60% is not something of which to be ashamed.
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