The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EASY WAY TO GRADE PAPERS

WHEN AN INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HIS CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS
WHO BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS (IS) A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
PROFESSOR WHO GRADES PAPERS BY THROWING THEM UP THE
STAIRS, I WAS REMINDED OF TWO INSTANCES IN WHICH I
HEARD OF THE SAME LEGEND.
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS STORY (AND BELIEVED IT!) WAS
WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DOWNTOWN
CAMPUS. I REMEMBER A CLASSMATE OF MINE SAYING HE DIDN'T
WANT TO TAKE A MR. THOMPSON FOR ACCOUNTING BECAUSE HE NEVER
EVEN LOOKED AT THE EXAMINATION PAPERS OR AT THE HOMEWORK
HANDED IN. HE WOULD JUST THROW THE PAPERS UP THE STAIRS
AND THOSE THAT LANDED ON TOP WOULD GET AN A AND THEN THE
GRADES DESCENDED AS DID THE PAPERS. THE BOTTOM PAPERS
WOULD GET FS. THIS WAS ABOUT 1954.
THE SECOND TIME I HEARD THIS AT THE UPTOWN (MC NICHOLS
RD.) CAMPUS. DR. ESPINOSA OF MY SPANISH 55 CLASS TOLD US
THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD A DEFECT (I BELIEVE
SHE WAS HUNCHBACKED) BUT WHO WAS A VERY GOOD STUDENT
WHO HAD EARNED ALL A'S IN HER COLLEGE CAREER. ALL
A'S THAT IS, UNTIL A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR WHO GRADED BY
THE "THROW THE PAPERS UP AND SEE HOW THEY FALL" METHOD,
GAVE HER A C IN HIS COURSE. DR. ESPINOSA TOLD THIS AS
THE TRUTH, AND TOLD IT QUITE CONVINCINGLY, I MIGHT ADD.
THIS WAS IN ABOUT 1961.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-19-1965