Lorna Jackson - University of Victoria

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Lorna Jackson - University of Victoria

Professor: Lorna Jackson

Department: Writing

College: University of Victoria

Rating # 1

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Lorna will never mince words when critiquing your writing. She tells it exactly like it is, so you can trust her criticisms to be accurate and her praise to be sincere. Her class is one of the most difficult I've ever done, but my writing has indisputably improved. Incredibly stressful course, so if you'd like to avoid that, don't take.

Rating # 2

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

If you seriously want -- and I mean WANT -- a career in writing, Lorna is an invaluable teacher. She challenged everything I knew about the craft and I'm leagues better than I used to be after one class with her than I was after 2 years through the writing program at Camosun. Want to be a standout writer? You need her. She's tough but incredible.

Rating # 3

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: No
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

One of the worst teachers I have ever had. She was unnecessarily difficult when grading and was dismissive of anyone who didn't meet her arbitrary criteria. Played to the students she deigned worthy and didn't make attempts to teach the rest. Seemed to think she was the only one who knew what was "good fiction".

Rating # 4

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: A-
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: Yes
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: Yes
Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Tough but incredibly insightful. She turned everything I knew about fiction upside down and I am a better writer because of it.

Rating # 5

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

You're right to be scared out of your wits. And you have a right to pitch a fit. But you're most right if you listen to every single word this woman says. About your writing. If you really want to write. She's sensational.

Rating # 6

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lorna is incredibly tough but hard working. If she knows you want it she will go above and beyond to bring your stories to their full potential. Yes - she's terrifying, but very attuned to her students and cares. Praise I received from her meant so much and she inspired me to work 10x harder. Highly recommend for serious fiction writers.

Rating # 7

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you're looking for an easy A, don't take a class with her. If you want to be the best writer you can be, take as many classes as possible with her. Lorna's honest and doesn't pull any punches. She does it with the best intentions, and she knows what she's doing. It's insane how much better my writing is just after one class with her.

Rating # 8

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She made me cry on two occasions. She's also the best Writing professor I have ever had. Take her class only if you care more about improving your writing than getting an easy A. You have to trust her though, and if you really want help you need to seek it out. Just having a 20 minute conversation in her office is enough to make you 10x better.

Rating # 9

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Brilliant and fascinating and one of my favorite people ever. She is very very difficult but you WILL come out of the class a better writer!

Rating # 10

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Legendarily difficult professor will whip you into a real writer. Your friends in other classes might get A's but your work stands a chance of actually getting published once she's done with you.

Rating # 11

Overview:

Course: WRIT100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She cares about writing, quality, teaching, and her students. She helped me develop a tougher skin in sharing my words and my writing improved hugely. I worked my butt off in her classes (I also took second year writing with her) - one of my most challenging and rewarding classes. She is honest and raw, like good writing should be.

Rating # 12

Overview:

Course: WRIT300
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 4.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lorna was my prof in the late 90s. I STILL look back at notes she gave me--and i am a published writer now, with two books out. I have been to UBC, Banff, and I have had editors from big presses copyedit my work. If you don't think Lorna is the**** and will make you a better writer--you don't know what you need. Trust her. Listen. Work for it.

Rating # 13

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

for the love of God, make a good first impression on Lorna. she has her favourites, and I'm fairly she picks them after the first draft of your first story.

Rating # 14

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 5.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lorna's class was inspiring and motivating. If you are committed to learning to write well, and to putting in hard labor, she will help in any way she can.

Rating # 15

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 3.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

TOUGH and SCARY, but she'll make you a good writer if you truly want to be one. She could work on being a bit more approachable, and being less obvious who her favourites are. All in all, I'm still deadly afraid of her, but I respect her as a writer and a professor because I've seen myself improve after each semester with her.

Rating # 16

Overview:

Course: WRIT202
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 4.5
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Yes, people, she is tough, but she is also going to make you a better writer. Work hard and she'll help you a lot. Sometimes her comments might seem harsh, but only because she doesn't sugarcoat her criticism (and it's usualy on the mark). If you want to be a writer that can't handle being criticized, good luck with a failed carreer.

Rating # 17

Overview:

Course: WRIT100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: Yes
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She is a tough teacher, but she will help you hone your craft if you can be strong enough to withstand her marking. Be willing to take criticism and work hard and you will be okay. This is not an easy course to take with her, but you will grow from it.

Rating # 18

Overview:

Course: WRIT100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 3.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lorna, as stated before, caters to those who seemingly have already taken a fiction course. I feel lost and out of my league in her course...and I thought it was supposed to be a first year course (aka 4 beginners!). She is a professional and demands the best, which can be encouraging...but also can be very damaging to one's creativity. Be brave.

Rating # 19

Overview:

Course: WRIT100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Intimidating, cold, and unapproachable. Caters to students who already have some talent, marginalizes those who honestly have come to begin learning the craft. Great if you already have a hand up but expect to be left in the dust otherwise.

Rating # 20

Overview:

Course: WRIT100
Grade Received: N/A
Overall Rating: 1.0
Course Difficulty: 5.0

For Credit: N/A
Textbook Used: No
Would Take Again: N/A
Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Lorna is not nice. She picks favourites, and she avoids being in class. She didn't teach much of anything; she only criticized us. As she avoids students, students would be well advised to avoid her!

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