Great teacher, very patient! and beautiful handwriting! =)

Excellent teacher, a real person

he's really great, very helpful

very engaging, will make you think, one of the best profs i've had

Extremely friendly, helpful and encouraging; a wonderful person and prof.

Dr. Martineau was a very helpful professor who taught effectively and clearly.

Very clear and concise, if you wanna learn without the BS - get this guy!

Best teacher ever, He REALLY like questions, patient , zealous to help

Dr. Martineau is definately the best prof i've had at UBC

He's a great prof. Open to teaching new ideas.

Awesome, amazing, excellent...need I say more?

Every once in a while you get an AMAZING teacher - Dr. Martineau is the BEST

He makes everyone pleased with their writing and feel proud of themselves...

best teacher in ubc. he gives students confidences

A truly unpretentious person who cares more about the student academic and overall growth than his personal ego or opinions.

Encourages suckups...nice guy, thoughtful BUT workshops everyweek, other students critique your work. Way too much homework, journals and reading for just an english course. Attendance nut... must attend all classes... grades you on attendance.

Best teacher I have ever had. He instills confidence into the students. He tells you exactly what he wants and how to do it. Light reading lists make class more enjoyable.

Really nice guy, very approachable. Somewhat of a hard marker though

Extremely challenging and supportive. Innovative teaching methods. Don't hand anything in late or skip classes-- he demands dilligence.

Great Course. Amazing Prof. Try hard and you will succeed.

Simply the BEST professor at UBC. A brilliant wonderful man who inspires and motivates his students (at least those who care) to do their best. If you don't like him then there is something wrong with you!

THE BEST INSTRUCTOR EVER!!! VERY VERY APPROACHABLE...EVEN ENCOURAGES HIS 112 STUDENTS TO TAKE HIS SECTION OF ENGLISH 222 (WHICH I MAY VERY WELL TAKE). PRETTY FAIR MARKER AS LONG AS YOU KNOWN AGENCY (IE. WHO DOES WHAT ETC) HE MAKES 112 FUN WITH GROUPWORK

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Excellent prof who inspires students to appreciate english and the power of writing. He made 112 the most pleasant class to attend, thus making the course seem much easier and enjoyable. :)

Undoubtedly one of UBC's jewels. Encouraging, inspirational, and passionate about the theories and books he focuses on. He takes a genuine interest in his students, both English and non-English majors alike

Loved Joel. I would skip my other classes and bus 3 hrs just for his class. Learned more workshopping once a week than in a year of Arts 1 tutorials. Innovative texts and mark break-down lets students improve writing, rather than churn out Sparknotes crap

joel was extremely personable and helpful, perhaps one of the most welcoming and outgoing professors i've had-and i've had lots. but do not slack off for a second, your marks will suffer greatly. a real stickler for strategic, clear and powerful writing.

The best prof I've had. Extremely friendly and helpful. Encouraged innovative thoughts. Considered taking the same course, different section again just because he's so great!

Simply the best prof. All profs should model themselves after him esp in the personality aspect of teaching. SO Friendly, SO personable, So nice and encouraging. Even kept in touch with me after the course was over!

very strict guidelines and expects the best from his students. He makes every lecture meeting a wonderful experience and inspires you to achieve the best of your ability.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! Great prof, by far the nicest I've ever had. Fair marker, MUST attend all lectures

JOEL MARTINEAU IS BY FAR THE BEST ENGLISH PROFESSOR THAT I HAVE EVER HAD. HE WILL NOT ONLY TEACH YOU HOW TO WRITE, BUT HE WILL BELIEVE IN YOU.

he's the best! he's clear and encourages you to write good stuff, while giving the best help he can! he's always availalbe via email and in his office. that's why i'm going back to him every year, eng 222 is going to be my 3rd course with him!

to the poster below me: what? didn't use proper literary criticism techniques?

I don't think he has favourites. But that's just me. He does work you hard. But I can totally see the difference in my writing for other classes. He isn't that tough of a grader. Just follow his seven rules, and you'll be okay.

Great prof! Encourages everyone to participate in their own ways and the class is more of a discussion than a boring lecture. Hard marker but helps you develop into a better writer by the end of the course.

What a great prof! If you show dedication, he will inspire you to become a much better writer. You must try your best and he will see that. One of the best things about him is that he's usually available at his office and always replies ASAP by email!!

Fun insightful course, especially when we got to develop our thought in concepts and use them as literary tools to analyze a book. I support the writing style because it does make your writing sparkle with cripsness.

It is rare to find a professor who treats his students as professionals, and truly tries to help them improve and succeed. One of the better teachers I've had at UBC.

good prof even if we were the class of satan as he liked to alway tell uss. ;)

He's a very unconventional professor. He encourages independent thought towards his students (although sometimes this gets out of hand). Sometimes he's too laid back. I felt that he did not seem to care at the end, but that's probably the students' fault.

This is a warning. This is a writing course and not a lit course. He even started some of our sentences for us. Also everyone, no matter how much work anyone did, they ended up with a B- to B+. His marking system is dangerously flawed.

All the other comments aside, I think he's a very good professor. He lays out the course very well and does a great job integrating students into a University Engl course. Expect to get a B-toB+. Class average was 74%. How is that bad?

I got an A-. I guess once you start with a high mark, you'll have to work hard to keep it.

he's so dreamy. hot, hot,hot

Fair marker, very easy to talk to. Interested in his students and knows his stuff. Don't take his class if you are only interested in rote teaching methods. Take if you want something unconventional and fun.

VERY clear on his expectations for the class. VERY approachable. Such a sweet professor. Really tries to be your friend instead of just your professor. Taking my third class with him next term.

Joel's cool. Yeah, he makes you come to class, and yeah, he makes you write hard, but I'm a better student now because of it. And I got an A, so his marking system isn't flawed. He's a genuinely nice guy but won't let you get away with slacking -- hell, you're in university, try doing some work!

I have a feeling that most of the negative comments are written by people who got low grades. Talk about being bitter! Joel's an awesome prof. I would know -- I've taken so many classes with him. At the end of his course you'll be a better writer. You definitely have to work hard, but it pays.

GREAT prof make the syllabus your life and youll do great. second time taking this course, first time 57, currently at A-. hated in class essays, but he makes them nonstressful.i'm a second year student but he's very good with first years. helps ease people into university and makes people feel good

High standards, prefers particular writing conventions, wants students to attend his classes, passionate about literature. He's brilliant. He doesn't "herd" students-- theme was postcolonialism, ergo students had to write about it! Love how those who rated him well him are ACCUSED of being him. Gee.

two thumbz up! awesome prof! really cares about his students, gives very clear instructions about wut's expected for the 25% essays and the in-class essays! even gives tons of hints on wut's gonna be on the final! ..and hard work actually pays off!! (unlike some other uni courses)highly recommended!

An awesome prof. Knows everyone's name and is willing to help. He encouraged me to have confidence in myself and my writing improved a lot. Hard work really pays off. Joel is easy-going. Most importantly, he has actually led me to consider taking 200-level english.

He is a really nice teacher. HIs markings are fair and reasonable. He doesn't teach me a lot of things. I have 26 classes with him and he spend 8 classes going over the COURSE OUTLINE.

really down-to-earth and encouraging man. love him. he does pick on very small details and sometimes he does get your nerves a little bit, but he appreciates every single bit of work you do in his class. very sweet man, gives out books for students who need them.

great prof. tells you exactly what he wants. treat the course outline as your bible and you'll do great. i was 2nd year student, but it seems like he's just great for first years. second time i took the course, first time i got a grade below 60, but with joel, i almost got A-. learned everyone's name in the first day. simply amazing

Great prof in terms of teaching many great writing strategies - BUT does seem to have favourites and thinks you don't put the effort in or care if you miss 1 class!

Excellent teacher!!! Very clear with instructions and interesting class. Joel is was willing to help with essays too!

amazing prof!! but i gotta admit, he does pick favourites&he did give out similar grades to every essay i wrote (but i don't mind dat! hehe) extremely helpful&is very into details. if u wanna do well in his class then 1. attend every class 2. get rid of all the "is" or "to be", 3. let him notice dat ur a hard working student (i.e. ask him for help)

The greatest english professor I had in UBC. My writing tremendously improved after taking his course. This teacher is one of the few professors at the university that not only TEACH writing (as opposed to the profs who just assigns you homework and offers no pointers), but TEACHES it well. Great class.

Joel appreciates and rewards risks: take them and you'll be fine. He's a scrappy little guy with a chip on his shoulder who wants to teach students who want to learn. If you want to glide, take someone else's class. Loves Foucault, good writing, risky ideas, theory and DETAILS. Obsessive about attendance. I'm a better writer now. Thanks Joel.

True, JM hates the verb "to be" and insists on attendance (to a fault). But if pay attention, participate in class, write early, and think hard, you will find his courses rewarding. He made me both see and write clearer.

Awesome Prof. His enthusiasm for course spreads like a disease. highly recomended, use the syllabus and attend class. he'll make you a better writer.

A brilliantly designed class with an exteremely intelligent teacher. Joel gives tireless support to student writing. Unfortunately his assignment of grades is incomprehensible. I put a lot of work into one paper and double into the next, but got the same grade on both.

two faced; don't miss class; does pick favorites; just do what he told you to; learn a lot of about writing, but waste of time and money if you are not going to write lots of research papers; academic writing is boring

He's really not that bad. I talked with my friends quite a bit during his lectures and he still gave us B+/A-'s. I'm sure he gave his favorite students higher marks, but he doesn't give all other students crap. After writing essays for him you'll be very paranoid about not using the words "is" and "are" in your writing.

Joel's a great prof, he shows that he cares about his students and his classes. I found him very helpful in terms of improving my writing. He has a certain style he likes to read, and if you follow his rules you'll get a decent mark.

Joel gives extremely clear guidelines. If you put effort into his class, he will give you excellent advice. What I learned from this class, I have applied to every other class I have taken since. Thanks Joel. But don't skip or you'll regret it!

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a very lovely man. presented some pretty though-provoking articles and ideas. joel made me a better writer.

His techniques for academic writing are not by any means facinating, however they are extremely helpful for making the essay-writing process much easier. He cares about his students and takes the effort to learn everyones'name. His class was one of my more enjoyable courses, eventhough I don't particularly like english.

Not to defend Joel or anything, but I don't remember having to pre-read any material for the course. The anime film he suggested was NOT even mandatory and you could easily get through the course without it. However, it is true that he expects his A students to have full attendence, but whether you want that "A" is entirely up to you. You should ha

It was nice that Joel learned every student's name, however, class discussion and marking seemed to be more focussed on the rules of writing than exploring the texts. Expect major attention to formatting detail - maybe Joel should teach composition, seems like that's what he is really passionate about. Loves it if u see him outside class time.

He made me love English again. His passion is contagious. He'll make you work hard for that grade, yes. Take risks, follow his writing conventions, attend class, and show him that you are a devoted student. It will pay off. If you are looking for an easy A or to devote a minimal amount of time, you will be wasting both your time and his time.

Very caring & approachable prof who did everything in his power to help students succeed. Treated us like professionals and did not try to put himself above us. Lots of time to write papers and exam topics given beforehand. Thoroughly profreeded papers before marking them. Good transition for high school students. Gave me confidence to succeed.

Very involved teacher, obviously loves his job and works hard to accommodate students. Only problem is that he seems to be a little too fond of his own writing style, which he advocates strongly, while grading poorly alternative writing techniques. Hard to excel, or fail, in his class... and easy, mediocre B+.

Great Prof; Nice person; Loves UBC; Loves Teaching. Teaches you useful things about writing(if you want to learn). Do exactly what he asks you to do; WORK HARD for his cl****es. It pays off.

Very helpful with writing; willing to thoroughly edit and proof-read papers before they are due. However, it is difficult to excel in the class (hard to receive over a high A minus). Other than that, classes are reasonably enjoyable with a focus on academic writing rather than a discussion of literature.

Great Teacher! Easy to approach to...he's one of the few profs who will teach students HOW to write a paper. Very helpful!

If we really want qualified professors,we should offer more constructive comment,not too personal, so professors can learn from our comment. Joel is an approacheable professor. Even though I didn't get a great grade, I think he is a fair marker. He encourages students to write and teaches how to write well. I become interested in English a lot

I went to about 5 of Joel's classes, he is the best teacher ever. His texts are interesting, and very different from the normal kinds of text that the typical teacher picks. These are all award-winning novels. He is VERY approachable. After his classes, I have become a world-class writer. MUST take his courses. A Wonderful person as well.

Attendance is mandatory, and totally eliminating "to be" is a bit inane, but he will improve your writing! He is a great man and will ALWAYS help you and edit your papers if you ask. He tells a lot of personal stories, but I didn't mind them. If he wasn't retiring, I would take another course with him.