2.4
Quality3.9
Difficulty20%
Would Retake107
Reviews20%
Would Retake
107
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
29
4
6
3
4
2
9
1
59
What Students Say
“Sacrifice all courses to do her assignments or fail”
ARTS1110 - 1.0 rating“In this case, the name really says it all”
ARTS1110 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
95%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-2.38 avg changeRatings by Course
RHET1105016
5.0
(1)RHET1105024
5.0
(1)RHET1105015
5.0
(1)RHET1105020
3.5
(2)1105
3.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
RHET1103002
4.8
RHET1105007
4.7
RHET1103
4.6
ART1110
4.6
1110
4.3
Reviews (107)
good prof, understands some people havent been taught APA properly and goes through it step by step. always willing to answer questions and clarify. able to do re writes. highly recommend her.
She was very helpful and gave feed back to help improve your paper, she also let you redo assignment if you didn't like your mark. I very much recommend this class if you need a written requirement.
If you're an experienced writer but need the class for your degree requirement find a different prof! She takes attendance every day & treats you like you're 5-years-old. Every day there is a writing prompt on the board and she walks around the class looking over your shoulders ensuring you're completing it. She really annoys the hell out of me!
I had her for ARTS 1110 at U of M and she is great! She knows her materials, organize and made class much more interesting than it actually is. She allows essay rewrites and give helpful feedbacks. The midterm and the final were really easy as everything on it was covered in class. I highly recommend her.
I highly recommend her. If you need to take Acad. Writing take it with Soiferman. The material itself is easy, it's a class mainly targeted at people who don't know how to write, so it's boring, but she makes it funny and cares about her students. She's a good teacher and lets you re-write your papers. So if you want an A+ you'll get it.
Super helpful instructor (I took ARTS 1110 at the U of M over the summer). Essay feedback was clear and the rewrites were awesome to have. She was really nice, and made the kinda dry material interesting with tons of stories. Definitely would recommend!!
I really enjoyed Dr. Karen, she has a genuine interest in her students success and I found her lectures to be very valuable outside of the classroom as well. The material she teaches provides a solid foundation of knowledge that can be applied for the duration of your degree. She is funny and a little odd which made her easy to like. Great prof.
Best prof in the University
her classes are never boring but shes strict
Dr. Soiferman has so far been one of my favourite profs. She makes class very entertaining with her humor and stories, making you look forward to attending class. She is very clear with what she is looking for and helpful when needed. She gives good feedback after each essay, if you aren't confident with writing essays, I recommend her class!
Great prof! Very clear in her speeches and always makes her lectures more interesting than it is. Also, very willing to help. However, she is a strict marker and wants you to be very clear in your essays or you may not do well in the course.
Dr. Soiferman discusses lectures with real life examples and makes class more interesting. She is also helpful outside the class when you need it. However, they are very strict at marking essays and you must follow all the rules to get good marks. Overall, helpful and approachable prof.
A really great professor. I learned a lot from her class. She also gives extensions very easily as long as you ask her before its due. Really recommended. :)
she is very easier to approach. her lectures are very clear and be ready to read everyday. she puts up her lecture slide online but sometimes it is not complete so it is better to be in class.
Her lectures were always very interesting. She is funny. There isn't lots of material to learn, but lots of writing. Your first assignment is the hardest, then it gets easier.
Great Teacher
Dr. Soiferman is probably one of the best teacher I have had in university yet. She makes lectures interesting by telling funny stories and getting us involved in the class. She is straight forward on what she wants on her assignments and as long as you follow the rubric it's easy to get an A. She's a great prof and I would highly recommend.
I learned a lot from her class, funny lectures, gives extensions, let's you rewrite - even the final research paper, lots of writing though. On top of the major assignments, she has critical reading assignments that are roughly due every week or two weeks. So a paper is due almost every week. Easy A if you do every paper, and handed it in on time.
Sacrifice all courses to do her assignments or fail! Put so much efforts and get low grades! Low GPA anyways! She doesn't provide help at all for people that are weak at writing! Doesn't even want to go through drafts to tell you your weaknesses. Attendance for marks in the lab. Had essays due on midterm day and a quiz right after the midterm!
An amazing professor. I hate writing but this class ended up being one of my absolute favorites all semester. She's very clear with what she wants and what you have to do to get there. We had a short essay due every week but she allows rewrites and she'll give extensions. Excellent professor and a very reasonable person. Definitely recommend
she wants you to learn and is excited to do her job, but if you don't participate, she is harder on you than those who do. A lot of homework but you are able to re write so a good grade is achievable. She is tough on you the first draft, easier on you on your re write. Attendance is mandatory. Textbook used a lot. Overall class was fine, not my fav
Dr. Soiferman is an excellent professor. She has clear expectations and tries to get the whole class involved. She understands her students and enjoys sharing her own stories. Provides extensions and allows rewrites. Follow her rubrics, hand in assignments on time, attend class and you'll get an A. I would highly recommend taking her class.
She really doesn't care about the student who really needs improvement in their writing skills. Maybe she's better for experienced students who good at writing. The theory he taught are kind of hard to understand, but the textbook she wants you to purchase may help you understand a thing. Exams are hard and clueless.
Very rude. At one point I fell ill and couldnt come to class, the next class I missed too do to my grandfather having a heart attack. She said it was Unacceptable to miss her class twice and when I did show up to class she said Oh YOUR here in a rude remark. Since then she gave me failing grades. She was constantly late to update on nexus too
Not the best professor to be honest. Told her I won't be able to attend due to doctors appointment. I missed a class. Next day was the start of reading week. So no classes. After that I had exams / midterms. When I asked her if I can do the rewrite of the essay she handed back when I came back she said no that it's late. Inconsiderate. Don't take!!
Dr. Soiferman was able to make the class very entertaining and helpful at the same time. She is a little tough with people who do not attend nor submit things on time but if you are on time for things you will be very happy in this class. All the concepts were taught very clearly and her material for the class was useful.
her class wasn't as boring as I thought it would be. just show up to class, do the work and you'll do well.
She is amazing but wants 100% concentration in class. She does not like disturbance such students coming late in her class. Be careful about it.
Probably the best professor I've had so far, she really cares about you passing, if you make the effort to show up and do the work. I have gone to her office a couple times outside of class and she helped so much and cleared up any questions I had about her feedback. participations and attendance matter in this class but its worth it in my opinion
Awesome prof, probably the best one I've had all semester, she's willing to help if you put in the work, I have gone to see her outside of class and she helped me with anything I needed clearing up. Fair grader and all her comments have a purpose. Overall really great professor, highly recommend, I feel much more confident about my writing skills.
I honestly used to enjoy her lectures till the time she kicked me off from the midterm classroom for having 5 absences. We had people having much more absences than me. Like why would she do that??! That's so not fair. It was so humiliating, I don't know if I should continue the classes or take a VW. :(
Not my cup of tea
Very good and willing to help. However, she'll only help you if you help yourself. Mark my words. I like that style, why waste your time on someone who never shows up to class and doesn't do their work. It just surprises me when I hear students say " omg the teacher makes us get the textbook & show up to class." We'll duh! You're in University.
Karen tends to get off track, but they're always interesting tangents related to the topic. Solid 9/10.
Get ready to work in her class! If you want to seriously improve your writing skills then this class will be the best thing you'll ever do. She's a tough grader but she wants her students to do well. She may not seem warm at first but she does care. Overall a great class to take.
Not an understanding prof. Couldn't understand that I missed part of the course because of severe mental health issues, brushed them off and was beyond rude about it. So much for "let's talk". Unsure about the rest of the class, but a horribly nonchalant and not a compassionate person. Not for me, or anyone with mental health issues.
In this case, the name really says it all.
Dr. Soiferman is very good at explaining on how to write and read. Ive gotten much better on critical reading and writing thanks to her. However I do struggle with a learning disability, and I did have problems with communicating with her. All I can say is work hard and youll be just fine.
This professor is amazing she helps you a lot but DEMANDS you to participate. Without participating she is not afraid to fail you, the last assignment was intense but manageable. All in all, a really good professor, 10/10 would recommend to anyone.
Dr. Soiferman is a good and friendly prof. The course is not difficult but it is definitely demanding. The deadline for each essay is 1 week and you get a chance to rewrite the major essays if you submit within deadline. She expects people to participate in class and she tells stories. Follow her instructions and read the texts to get good grades.
Hard grader and unclear expectations for assignments do not make a good combination. Dr. Soiferman gives hard criticism for errors. Did not inspire confidence in my writing ability, especially for a course designed for first-year students.
Unclear expectations. Gives very harsh feedback on your essays. Rude feedback from her made me unconfident in my writing skills. Nice during class discussions. As a class designed for first-year students, I did not feel like I was taught the necessary skills to succeed. Definitely avoid at all costs.
Shouldn't be teaching a science academic writing class without experience in science. Toughest grader I've experienced at U of W in my five years. Has politically one-sided "discussions" in class which I found very odd.
Dr. Soiferman is the best professor. She breaks down step by step how to write properly and has improved my work in other classes. She has easy writing prompts and quizzes every week and a few big essays throughout the year, one of which you can re-write. AMAZING PROF, TAKE THIS CLASS IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS. Should only have 5 stars.
Not clear about grading.
One of the best professors. clear and simple teaching style, funny and cares about students success. i would 100% recommend taking this course. simple assignments with very clear instructions along with practice assignments. you are also provided with a re-write for the hardest essay! this course also helps in other courses that involve writing
She has unclear expectations, very tough grading criteria, not recommending to anyone, focus on format only not in quality you are giving in writing.
Her lectures are well done and give you all the information you need to do well in her class. However, she seems to get annoyed at anyone who asks questions or asks for confirmation on previously stated information. She marks tough and gives good feedback. Textbook is a must as there are weekly quizzes you take based on the information from it.
Not a good teacher in any way
Was super rude when asked a question and marked like we were writing professionals
Super rude and inconsiderate professor!
Failed most of the class and was super hard to understand spoke very quietly and unclearly. Avoid her at all costs
Gives little to no feedback and marks like we are phd students. Gives vague explanations on how to write papers. Expects a lot from her students! AVOID HER AT ALL COSTS!
Incompetent
Never in your life take this course with this professor, it is the worst and get the worst of you.
In no way shape or form is this professor good!
Gets extremely frustrated once you ask for clarifications and marks extremely harsh. Was very rude to a student in another writing class! Very egoistic professor
Marked tough
Makes fun of students writing in the feedback
As a student with a learning disability being in her class made it worse. I have had extreme panic attacks with her deadlines and harsh marking. The feedback given is always disrespectful towards the student since she gives rude criticism. Super rude when you ask her any type of question. Avoid her on all costs
Not built to teach
Hard time with her
Failed half of the class and marked super hard
Super rude
Karen is just an awful person. I took a class w her 3 yrs ago and I still remember how horrible and apathetic she was. She does not think of students as human beings and lacks basic empathy. I asked her for an extension on an assignment worth 2% bc my mom had cancer and she did not care at all and expected me to attend all classes. She needs help.
Probably the worst professor I have ever encountered, and an even worse person. After missing a class due to my parents threatening to get divorced, she stated that it is my responsibility to be in class. Totally unreasonable. I wish I could write more here because I could go on for hours about how terrible this teacher is. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Never ever take her.
Not a good professor
avoid her at all costs
LITERALLY THE WORST PROFESSOR AVOID HER AT ALL COSTS! Expects you to know everything and super rude when you ask a question even though that's literally her job.
i don't recommend
Worst professor avoid if you don't want your confidence crushed. Harsh marker even though she doesnt teach you anything. Expects you to know everything and no clear marking criteria. Gets annoyed and super rude when you ask questions. AVOID HER!!
Avoid her if you can
Barely would explain the assignments and then left petty feedback. Seemed very judgmental. She taught us things wrong, that other professors had to correct like the title page.
Not as terrible as others make her seem Definitely very egotistical Hard marker but if you understand the expectations of the assignment its pretty easy to do well Weekly quizzes and assignments that feel pointless Textbook is written by her and essentially a guide to completing the class Attendance is mandatory or you will miss information
If you like being constantly humiliated yelled at, buying 200$ textbooks, taught different concepts by ta and instructor at a time, and misinformation is what you would like to absorb - that's your perfect opportunity.
Gabriel Dragons long lost sister
Absolutely avoid her and her useless course if you have the option to, she's the only professor and assigns the textbooks she published. Do not feed her cash cow. She is not built for teaching.
She poorly graded my essay that I put many hours of work and effort into. taking of marks for insignificant and small details. when asked for her reasonings in person, she completely dismissed me. I told her how unfair it was that some of my peers that used AI to write their essays were graded higher, she said "I suppose they just got lucky". wow!
Verry bad
Dont take it !! i repeat dont take it she is horrible . If you value your money and GPA then dont take
One of the worst professors. Don't take her class trust me do anything else but don't take her class. She doesn't give proper instructions talks about her family in the class but then during exams and essays she doesn't give any marks. Will never take her course again
AVOID!! Insufferable, lives up to her name, grading is very harsh - I have NEVER received such terrible grades before. Okay in person but feedback on assignments can be rude + judgemental. No idea how to teach, basically does what she wants and is only in it for the money. No experience in sciences but teaches science writing. Regret not dropping.
Not willing to help and very rude to her students. Not realistic or reasonable about expectations and is a really tough grader.
Worst professor you could ever get .Waste of time and money
lord do I wish I checked here first.. Literally AWFUL teacher, worse of a person. She is incredibly harsh with her grading, is very difficult to communicate with (never admits faults, always thinks youre being rude and disrespectful). Doesnt help at all when reached out to. Expects you to have read chapters that werent brought up or discussed.
She made assignments seem simple based off of instruction but then marked difficult. Felt like there was always a paper on the go as she also does weekly writing and quizzes. She often goes off topic in class and moves fast over assignment instruction. Her in class “workshops” were beneficial and she did give good examples at times.
Protect you GPA and overall mental well-being avoid this class
very rude with her feedback on essays and assignements, her lectures are fairly good, don't mind them. but yes she can be quite rude
don't take a class w this “teacher” if u can call her that lmao waste of money and time, take the class w her if ur interested in hearing her conservative comments and her childhood memories that no one asked for, keep in mind she is rlly narcissistic, overall don't give ur money to this woman
Terrible prof, her grading is unreliable, is rude to students, be ready to fail if you stay in her class
Do not recommend this proff for anybody who is neurodivergent. Class is mandatory, but roughly 10% of it is actually useful. Minimal Lesson material can actually applied in science courses. Does not provide any content online, for no good reason Grading criteria is irrelevant, grades how she pleases, and forgets this is a year 1 course.
NOT a science course. Essays written are simply about scientific topics. Requires a $100 textbook (that she wrote) which was more personal than educational. Do NOT ask for feedback if you don't want to be accused of being disrespectful. So many red flags; rude, blunt, inconsiderate, royalist. Doesn't actually provide insightful feedback.
At beginning of the course, I was not a fan as she was a tough marker with harsh feedback, but I ended up doing very well and learned a lot. If you keep up with the work, and do good on assignments it will help boost your mark
Avoid taking her I wouldn't have wasted my time on the class
Textbook required, but honestly just get the first 3 chapters from someone irl and won't need them. Ratings are a bit harsh, she wasn't that bad and you need like 2-3 weeks to understand exactly what she wants, and it's pretty easy after that. Lectures were kinda boring, most writings could be done by just understanding the gist of what she wants.
the worst professor, dont ever take her.
Very strict and unpredictable grading. Ironically teaches critical thinking but grades subjectively. Hard for first-year students. Often condescending and temperamental; even phone use is forbidden. Compared to other profs, this class feels unnecessarily difficult. Avoid unless absolutely necessary.
At first, I thought she was nice and reliable during the first few lectures, back when I could still drop the course without paying. But I was so wrong. I was always there, yet her grading rubric made no sense, and I could never tell which assignment we were on. Also the MANDATORY TEXTBOOK she wrote HERSELF. Can't claim that she was biased but...
Very tough grader. Provided little to no feedback. Her rubric is very vague and unreliable. Everything is based on lectures and textbook that SHE WROTE HERSELF which is also mandatory. Lectures and textbook don't cover much in terms of specifics for essays. Passive agressive and condescending.Tells funny storys thought. Worst prof I've ever had.
First of all, no matter how hard you try, you can never achieve the expected grade, as the professor is a very very very tough grader and the rubric does not even make any sense. This is the ONE AND ONLY course that i regret taking. she definitely had difficulty maintaining impartiality.
Critical of students who have special needs. Rubrics don't make sense. Don't waste your time.
Genuinely the worst prof ever, tough grader and rubrics that she didnt even follow. I submitted a project 2 hours late and i got docked 2 marks. "one for not handing in on time, the other because it was late" make that make sense. avoid her or drop uni if shes mandatory
Easily the worst prof. Does not follow her own rubric. If you write the best paper in the world she'll just claim its not what she's looking for and give you whatever she feels like that day. By far the harshest and unfair marker I've ever seen. Don't waste your time.
The reviews of her are way to harsh. If you are a good student, participate in class and hand in assignments on time an A+ is very easily achievable. That saying, she is a hard marker but if you work for it an A is very doable. She also gave us cookies :)
lots of group work, if u dont like that. assignments are clear and easy, just put in the work and you'll get a decent grade. gives good feedback, textbook isn't mandatory if your not coming to class, she explains the chapters, textbook is helpful for assignments though
Something that happened to me a few times and I would hear other classmates talk about, was losing too many marks in assignments over something small. For example, if you did not clarify in your essay in a simple line at the beginning who your audience & purpose was, your essay was down to a 50%.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
95%
Textbook Required
100%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B+
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-2.38 avg changeRatings by Course
RHET1105016
5.0
(1)RHET1105024
5.0
(1)RHET1105015
5.0
(1)RHET1105020
3.5
(2)1105
3.0
(2)Difficulty by Course
RHET1103002
4.8
RHET1105007
4.7
RHET1103
4.6
ART1110
4.6
1110
4.3