Snape's grading may not be fair, but...

[Lee]

No: HPFGUIDX 74920

*snip*
> Why would any kid be motivated to work harder by the knowledge that 
> he's going to fail no matter what he does?  To motivate somebody to 
> work harder, you must give them at least a tiny glimmer of hope 
that 
> their hard work will be rewarded.  In five years, Snape has yet to 
> give Harry such a glimmer.
> 
> Harry fails to hand in a potion.  Snape gives him a zero.  Harry 
> hands in a potion.  Snape destroys it and gives him a zero again.  
> Why the heck would Harry try to do better after this?  He might as 
> well take a nice long nap in every Potions class from now on -- the 
> result will be the same zero, but at least he'll be better rested.
> 

I have to remind everyone, who says that Neville, and Harry, and 
Ron, and some-such, are failing potions, that...

They are NOT failing potions!

What they ARE doing is getting below average marks. They're getting 
the typical *just enough to pass* or in Harry's case *average* marks.

If they were failing, they would have had to repeat first year, 
wouldn't they? And yet, according to the end of SS/PS, even Goyle 
manages to pass onto the next grade.

Now, while people aren't doing spectacular in Snape's class, they 
aren't failing. Or we'd see people staying behind. Or is the English 
School system one that allows failed students to continue to the next 
grade "anyways" because I've been in that kind of system and its very 
flawed. I doubt that Dumbledor would encourage that kind of 
schooling. 

Suffice it to say, even if Snape has terrified the heck out of 
Neville (I had a teacher in high school who I was absolutley 
frightened of, so I know how he feels.) he's still passing, and so 
are the rest of the students. (That teacher is now somebody I truly 
thank for pushing me so hard. I don't think I'd be in University now 
without her afterschool guidance *much as I hated it* >o<) Therefore 
he must be doing something right if even Neville is passing. (I'm not 
saying being mean is helping, but some part of his teaching method 
must be working.)

If Harry has anyone to blame for his poor marks, some of it should at 
LEAST be on himself as well. We see this time and time again. He 
waits until the last minute to finish assignments, essays, studying, 
he lets everything lag off, he does them in the dead of night when 
he's tired and cranky, and pulls low marks for it. 

I'd say, if Harry wants to pull better marks in something like 
potions, which requires concentration, he'll need to get some sleep 
instead of sneaking around at night, or going off to fly on his broom 
instead of getting his work done. And he'll need to do the homework, 
not spend all his time putting it aside. (I love Harry by the way, 
but Hermione is right about him needing to put his studies first.) 

Just a few minor thoughts, but I don't think we should blame all 
Harry's study problems on Snape. Its a half/half deal, and I think 
since Harry is passing, then maybe just a little more effort on both 
their parts will bring Harry into the area of "Outstanding."

Oh, btw, am I the only one who thinks Harry is going on to Potions 
NEWT level? Think about it... ;)


Lee