Tom Bracken - Northeastern Illinois University

Professor: Tom Bracken

Department: TBD

College: Northeastern Illinois University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG236
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Creative Writing - Great teacher, though not for the timid. If you are in his class looking only for praise, his methods will seem unforgiving. I would also describe his methods as honest, helpful, constant, jovial, useful, and forthright. No one who takes is Creative Writing classes has any misconceptions about following a career in this field.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you are thin skinned then don't take this class. He cuts your work to pieces. If you truly want to write and be an effective writer than this is the professor for you.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL325
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tom is a truly great teacher. When I joined his class I was terrified of having my writing critiqued; for one thing, I thought a male writer would trash me. Not so. He is kind to those who are talented and fair to those who attend and do the work. One quirk: he can say thoughtless things to people sometimes, but I don't think he means any harm.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: EGL235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This class was not difficult. Let's face it, Dr. Bracken gives you choices on what to write about, so you pretty much have the freedom to explore your options. He is pretty laid back, and funny. Just listen to his stories about Roger's Park, family, etc. You have to be able to take criticism, he is only trying to HELP you. Tall & dresses well too!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He made the class fun...you have to know when to let yourself take other peoples thoughts into consideration...this is a big part of the class..get over yourself this class isn't for the shy or timid of personality...great great great teacher!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CRTVWRIT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

this class is an easy A if you turn in the min of 25 pages. you have to be able to handle criticism well! he can be extremely critical of your work sometimes..sometimes he'll even poke fun at it, but he gives great writing tips. i've really become a better writer as a result of his creative writing classes. he's funny, but a little intimidating

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you're shy and simply seeking a prereq, look elsewhere. Participation and attendance is mandatory and your work is discussed among 35 people of varying intelligence. He's also one of those teachers that cant control their tangents. This makes for amusing if not pointless banter. All things considered, easy A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I read all the comments before to take the class. I pass the claas with A, but this class was extremly boring. Otherwishe Mr. Bracken is a nice old man.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is very strict on the grades, funny prof, he is kind of crazy...i was on the edge for a B but he still gave me a a low grade...........

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's stereotypical about people's experience according to their age. He will, get into the style of writing at times, but many times he makes accusations about the validity of the content in the writing and judges accordingly. It's a shame, really. Too full of himself to see what people can really offer. Don't be discouraged by him.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Creative Writing

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

very cool

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL386
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Not for the timid or those who have yet to learn to take criticism. If you are a serious writer and want to learn technique and how to improve take this professor. It won't be easy. You will work and be expected to improve. Incredibly well read professor who can help you find your voice. He has a great sense of humor. Willing to help.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

A really easy prof. Understanding when u missed classes, just had to have a good reason. Really tense about the whole "punctuation marks", make sure u dont make more then 3 mistakes with those... Other then that ure well off with this prof!!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I tried at first to understand he sense of logic but, he has a era about himself that if he does'nt know what he is talking about he still sounds good... +Dion

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CREATWRIT1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

a real roller coaster - critical but also can be supportive. lots of stories but also lots to cover in class. found myself quite tense at times waiting for my material to be read. want to learn more but not sure if i can stand it.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

A deceivingly tough teacher. He's not cagey about sloppy, fluffy, writing. He's a solid writer and critic. His criticisms prompted me to dig deeper in my writing and poetry. Thanks!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I wanted to take world fiction, but because of him I had to drop the class. He is simply rude! He expected us to know, for the test, the first and last name of all the writers. when I pointed to him that "if it was so important he should have given the full names in the syllabus" he got really upset and hated me since then. How unprofessional!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CREAWRITING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

teaches students to draw pictures with words, which is what a good creative writing teacher should teach. Sometimes he does talk about his family, but it's usually to illistrate a point.