Grading was a little tough but he will definitely help you if you ask for it/go to office hours. Really nice guy. Some homework was a bit tedious/long but overall still not too bad. Expectations for essays/projects were clear if you ask questions.

Highly recommend this professor. He makes you work hard, but it pays off. Don't miss class, you need to participate. Attendance is not enough. If you participate, follow his rubrics, and put in the work you should be just fine.

Intimidating at first, but turned out to be really caring. He assigns a ton of work, and if you want a good grade you have to spend a lot of time on it. Good feedback and is helpful - he knows his stuff and is very passionate about rhetoric.

Being an engineering student I had never somewhat enjoyed an English class to this point in my life whatsoever, Prof. K changed that for me. He made this class enjoyable and interesting. Yes, he makes you work for your grade, but if you are willing to put in the work, you'll not only get a good grade but see the life lessons he is trying to teach.

Professor K is pretty quirky but you can tell he really loves teaching. If you participate in class and do the best work you can he will really like you as a student. There is a ton of busy work for this class but as long as you stay on top of it you will get a good grade.

Colin cares a lot about rhetoric. He did his job well and expects a lot. My biggest complaint about this guy is he grades really hard. I took 7 pages of notes on a 15 page reading and he gave me 23/50. That's how I started my semester off. Good guy for sure but I was not happy with how he graded busy work. He grades papers fine though.

He is very nice and approachable. He definitely wants his students to succeed and will help you do so if you ask for it. He is a tough grader though. I was present for every class Monday through Thursday at 8:30 am throughout the entire semester and sat in the front row and spoke up often, but still only received an 8/10 on participation.

I took Rhetoric last semester with this professor and it was awesome! I learned a lot in this class and it's even helping me this semester in other classes. I'm more of a science person, and I usually hate writing/reading classes... but he was very good at explaining things and had a great sense of humor.

Colin is a pretty awesome teacher. This is definitely not a class for slackers. I learned a lot and I would totally take it again.

Colin is a nice guy who cares a lot about Rhetoric, but his grading is a little arbitrary. Two people could turn in the same paper and get different grades. I dont know if he grades based on how much he likes the student or what, but its not based on the work alone. Also there is a fair amount of busy work that must be done thoroughly to do well.

Thoroughly enjoyed his class and learned a lot. Always willing to set up meetings outside of class for feedback or general help on project topics. Assigns busy work but most of it is helpful and relevant to major projects. Picked intriguing and relevant required readings for class. Classmates and I didn't notice any grading bias.

Professor Kostelecky was a great teacher and really tries to connect with students. His lectures are always energetic and at a good pace. Personally I was never good at speeches or writing, but he took time to go over things again and work one on one to sort out kinks in a paper or speech. 2 major essays, 1 major speech, and the final is a speech.

Colin was a good professor to teach me more about writing. Thought his grading was a bit inconsistent, but was always available to give feedback on papers/speeches/etc. A little too much busy work, but definitely learned a lot in his class.

You can tell he really wants his students to succeed and gives tons of chances outside of his office hours to meet with him about projects/essays and always was available for help. He left good feedback on our essays which helped for the next ones. Made an effort to help us connect with classmates despite covid. Overall a great professor!

As a first-year student that needed to bolster my writing skills, it was helpful to have Prof. Kosteleckey teach me rhetoric. The class connected with each other, maugre the online format, and the feedback he provided allowed me to improve as a writer and rhetorician. In addition, the readings were appropriate, relevant, and interesting.

Prof. Kostelecky is a genuine guy who really wants to see you succeed in and outside his classroom. He picked relevant and rewarding readings and provided us leeway on the topics chosen for the big assignments so you could pick a topic you were interested in. Definitely feel free tostop in his office hours or chat after class if you ever need help.

This professor definitely does require you to do the work and take some time to get the assignments done outside of class. However, you learn valuable skills and the professor is always there for you to ask questions, get extra help from, and to receive feedback from on a current assignment so you can improve it and make sure you get a good grade.

I took rhetoric with Colin last semester and it was by far my favorite class. Covid caused it to be online, but he still made everyone feel welcomed, heard and created a real community. Although you will have to put in some effort to get a good grade, what you learn makes it worth it. You get to apply rhetorical lens to things that really matter

I took this class fully online, and it was very helpful to improve argumentative skills. Colin is a great professor overall. He is very kind and caring to his students. He shows up to class with enthusiasm everyday.

Overall great experience

I took this class because it was mandatory but I actually somewhat enjoyed it. There really isnt that much heavy work and he is pretty understanding when it comes to needing an extension or missing class.

Colin is a good teacher, he is understanding if something comes up and is willing to give you feedback on upcoming projects. Once I started going to his office hours, I noticed a change in my level of research and motivation to make sure I did the best I could.

Colin is a great teacher. He really cares about his students and wants them to succeed. While you have to be prepared to put in the work, he is willing to work with you if you ask questions. His assignments are specific and he gives you the tools you need to do well in his class.

Grades essays very specifically and expects hard work. Helps you get better grade if go to office hours. Lots of reading, not attending would make it difficult to pass.

Colin is a professor who you can tell cares about his job. He makes class discussions interesting and engaging. He is very helpful outside of the classroom, oftentimes extending his office hours to give students extra time to stop by. This class is not an easy A. You will need to show up to class and put in a good amount of effort to succeed.

His best aspect is the revision notes that he provides after you turn in your paper, he will also look at it if you bring him an extra copy during a workshop class.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Prof. Kostelecky, the material in this course is challenging but he is always available for help. Kostelecky is one of the few prof. I have met that puts his students first, and never hesitates to extend a deadline if you are feeling stressed or panicked. 11/10

Colin was the most enthusiastic professor I had. He was passionate about the class and caring towards students. He tried to make class time fun and engaging with lots of group activities, which bordered on overkill at times (especially if you're introverted like me), but some people may appreciate that. Some assignments seemed like busy work.

Collin is incredibly kind and helpful, definitely the best professor I've had so far.

Best professor I have ever had. His passion for this subject and his students is evident, and he listens to students to understand their wants+needs. He sees that students are full people outside of his classroom. He puts in effort for the class which inspired me to do the same. He obviously respects his students and earned my respect in return.

I cannot recommend Colin enough. I originally took this class just to get it out of the way and wasn't looking forward to it at all, but by the end of the semester it was my favorite, and Colin is definitely the reason why. You're in luck if he's your professor!

Colin was very understanding and willing to work with students. He can tell when people have more potential than what they are applying. I would recommend a class with him if you want to better yourself. He will make you work hard, but as long as you try and ask questions, you will do good.

I really enjoyed this class. Colin is very passionate about what he does, and he encourages creativity as well as self-expression within the writing assignments. I went to his office hours multiple times, and he provided valuable feedback and comprehensive explanations for any concepts I was confused about.

Colin is a good and interesting teacher, just be ready to read. Content isn't too difficult, there's just a lot of it. His class is one of the few that I look forward to attending.

Colin is really cool and fun! He comes across as being more laid back but still expecting effort and that you take the class seriously. He cares that you care about what you're doing. You'll get out of this class what you put into it. It honestly feels more like a creative writing class than a rhetoric class, which is kind of fun.

Colin is a wonderful professor. He's very down to earth and personable, and puts so much effort into understanding and learning from his students. The major assignments for this class are difficult, but Colin always makes sure to provide examples, answer questions, and make himself available for students. I cannot recommend him enough.

Colin is my favorite professor. I am a freshman and did not know what to expect but he is definitely the best out of all my current ones. Although he comes across as being more laid back, he still expects that you put in effort and take the class seriously. Don't think anyone would fail his class.

super caring and nice guy but he has high expectations of you, so if you're taking rhetoric just to get the gened over with or don't like writing, Colin might not be the best prof for you. he makes the class more difficult than it needs to be tbh but he's a good teacher and not a tough grader, just wears a scarf with a t-shirt far too much.

Colin is a great teacher to have and truly cares about his students. Rhet1040 has reading assignments often, but there isn't too much given. Essay grades matter a lot - attend office hours to get feedback when you finish your first draft. Be open minded when approaching his essays - they don't require MLA format and allow freedom in writing style.

Colin works hard to make time for students, give honest feedback, make the class enjoyable, and help students grow. Additionally, Colin is a great resource to go to for letters of recommendation, help with scholarship applications, or even just life advice. He truly cares. Colin has been the best professor I've had at UIowa.

Although the course seems intimidating, Professor Colin does an incredible job teaching Rhetoric. He is both personable and respected which is everything you need in a professor. I would absolutely take this class again if I could!

The best rhetoric prof I could've gotten. He's very understanding about everything and is always willing to give help or extensions if needed. A bit of a tough grader but it's because he wants the best from you. also was required to buy mulitple books that he ended up scanning and posting anyway

Colin is super awesome and very flexible. He is super understanding and makes class really fun.

I came into Rhet with a strong dislike for English classes. However, I can say Colin has somewhat changed my mind. I genuinely enjoyed this class. It all stems from Colin. You can tell he enjoys what he teaches, and his passion for rhetoric rubs off on you as a student. He made me want to write, and he made me feel confident in what I wrote.

Colin is great, rhetoric definitely is not an exciting class but he makes it more enjoyable and easier to pay attention. You can tell he really cares about his students, not only in class but their personal well being. He is always available if you need help and is a great guy.

Colin was such a great rhetoric professor. He was engaging and it's clear that he cares about his student's success.

It's clear Colin has a lot of passion for the subject, and he very thoroughly communicates course material. Readings for the class were often either engaging or brief. Students have a lot of flexibility in the class, including with how they could tackle the larger assignments.

Seems to really care for his students. The grading criteria is very clear and he leaves clear feedback on rough drafts. I would say it takes him a little long to grade things but nothing excessive. I would recommend for rhetoric I would say he is a good professor for freshman and incoming students.

Rhetoric is usually not a class most students look forward to, which is understandable, but having Colin as your prof def makes it better. He is a very understanding, caring, personable and flexible professor. Honestly couldn't have asked for a better one. Oh yeah, he also bought our class Starbucks and muffins from the main library!

Colin really kept us interested and involved in class. He did peer editing to help get other student feedback about current topics in society.

Colin is probably one of the greatest instructors in the University! He's very genuine and he cares about his students. Even though most people have to take rhetoric just to satisfy a Gen Ed requirement, being in Colin's class definitely sparks an interest and appreciation for writing.

Professor Kostelecky is a kind guy who runs a solid Rhetoric class. He certainly has his own opinions but I always felt free to write about whatever I believed or was interested in. No exams, instead you write 2 somewhat lengthy papers and present 2 speeches. Big fan of how he teaches his class.

Professor Kostelecky is awesome. You can tell he is passionate about his profession and truly cares about his students. He assigns a lot of reading assignments, but he does a good job of connecting them back to the content in class. He gives AWESOME feedback. 2 papers and 2 speeches, no exams!

Great professor. He was able to clearly explain the course content through lectures. Directions for papers and speeches were very clear and he gave great feedback on rough drafts.

Colin was a really great professor! We only had two essays and two speeches for the course. There were outside readings but it was really manageable. I enjoyed him and the class!

He was very understanding of things that go on outside of class. if you communicate with him you can get extensions, etc. I will say to go to class. The worksheets we do count for points and it is all we get for points besides our papers and speeches. He is a tough grader but he always gives feedback!

You are guaranteed to make friends in this class. Colin creates a great interactive environment where everyone feels close and supported. He can be a harsh grader, and its frustrating how the pretty much the only assignments are two essays and two speeches which total to 70% of your grade. Also, no need to buy the textbooks!

Mr. Kostelecky teaches a very well organized course and is great at incorporating student feedback. He gives specific and helpful feedback on rough drafts as well.

I absolutely loved Professor Kostelecky. Felt like he really cared about the class and he was super engaging. Actually made the class enjoyable

Quite possibly the best professor I've had here at Iowa. Truly cares about their students. I have never seen a professor be so eager to implement student feedback in their class before. What students think in this class truly matters to Professor Kostelecky.

Colin was a great professor. You have two essays and two speeches, but the last one was a creative assignment. At the beginning of the semester, he gave out reading quizzes but stopped shortly after. He can be a bit boring at times but it's just the way he teaches. If you fallow the rubric and outline for each assignment, you will get an A.

This professor is one of the best I have ever had. He is understanding and gives time in class to work on projects. Each one is due in parts and is way less stressful to tackle. He creates an amazing classroom environment, I highly recommend!

Good teacher who cares about his students.

I took the honors section with Colin and he is an amazing teacher. He gives really good feedback and nurtures a good class environment. He is always open to comments and looking for ways to improve the course.

Colin was an excellent professor and you could tell he actually cared about his students. Always took time to give very helpful feedback and went out of his way to make sure students succeeded.

When colleges tell you that your professors should be your friend or someone that you should talk to, they are merely quoting the students that have been graced by the presence of the legend, Colin Kostelecky. He never fails to engage his students and allow for true critical thinking, and genuinely encourages and appreciates the growth of a writer!

I really liked this class. Kostelecky had a room full of strangers becoming friends within a semester. I looked forward to his class. There are no tests, no final. A paper and a speech worth 15% and a paper and speech worth 20%. The class is very straight forward while still teaching you a lot. Informal work is another 20% and participation is 10%.

Genuinely one of the best professors I ever had. You will do GREAT as long as you go to class, participate, and put effort into your essays. He's a very fair grader.

Colin is hands down the best rhetoric teacher here at Iowa. He makes every class useful and puts so much passion and effort into his assignments. He gave us a mental health class in the middle of the year where we did art therapy because he actually cares about his student's wellbeing. All of the assignments were actually helpful. He's the best!

Coming in freshman year, scared of what is to come and annoyed at the fact I had to take Rhetoric, I had no idea the joy I had in store. Every class was fun and interactive, and I met some lifelong friends along the way. He genuinely cares and is there for every one of his students, regardless of their ability or passion for rhetoric.

Took Colin's Honors Rhetoric section this semester and overall enjoyed the class. He gave multiple personal and student examples of what he wanted of the assignment, making the criteria clear. He gave feedback on all rough drafts. But, I found his lectures quite boring and not useful—most of it felt like a high school English class for beginners.

Best professor I've had so far! Class is made up of 4 big assignments, 2 speeches and 2 essays. Colin gives excellent feedback on rough drafts, and as long as you utilize his feedback and follow the rubric you will do well in the class. You can tell he truly cares about his students and their work.

Had a great experience in this class, he was very easy to get along with and was also an easy grader. As long as you used ur brain and included all parts which were neccessary in the assignment you got an A. Semmed like he was opposed to grading less than 90%. The class was great and I wish i had his class for longer than a semester.

Professor Kostelecky was so amazing. He made class enjoyable and gave amazing feedback for all three of the essays. If I ever had a question he was quick to respond and always gave resources if I needed them for an assignment. Hardly ever any readings. Super nice guy.

Colin is the best professor I've had since coming to the University of Iowa. He is respectful and understanding, yet he makes sure you fully grasp the content. He also always gives good examples. The only thing I would say is that, occasionally, he takes a while to respond to emails. Overall, such a fantastic professor and I highly recommend.

Colin is hands down the best rhetoric professor you can get! He uses class time well, preparing you for the major papers and genuinely wants you to succeed in his class. As long as you put in effort in his class you will be fine. Would definitely recommend him!

Great Guy!

While I'm more of a math/science guy, this rhetoric course was still a breath of fresh air. I have much respect for Colin as he treats everyone kindly and gives great feedback on rough drafts and essays.

I was dreading this class and I ended up looking forward to it every week. Colin makes it fun and he is so nice and caring, genuinely wanted everyone to succeed. As long as you follow the rubric and put his feedback into your writings you are pretty much guaranteed to get an A.

I have friends who have absolute horror stories about their rhetorics. Colin wasn't like this. He did his best to keep us entertained, which is hard when the classes are 2 hours long. He isn't a tough grader as long as you did your assignments. Sometimes a little confusing what he wanted, but he always offered to help. Great professor and guy!

He outlines the material very clearly, and the three major assignments have rubrics that spell out exactly what he wants to see in your work. If you check all the boxes, you will get 100%. He also has many examples and lectures during class time that will help you to see exactly what he is looking for. Very accessible and fair!