Fandom High School

"Welcome," Miss Bennet smiled, and it could be said that her smile was a somewhat mischievous smile, today. "If you have taken previous classes with me, you will know that I do not typically favour final exams. Literature, for one, is a highly subjective topic, and the class was intended more to inspire individuals towards its enjoyment, than to quantify the understanding of it."

"Logic, on the other hand ..." This was not a very promising smile, no.

Miss Bennet began passing papers back, starting with the furthest row. "You have until class ends to finish, and if you should like more time, I am perfectly willing to stay after class with you. I am also willing to further explain any of the questions, should you require clarification. You may use any notes or books that you have carried in with you, but you may not leave to fetch any, and you may only use yours. You may not, under any circumstances, borrow another's notes, or discuss matters with your classmates. If I catch you whispering or passing notes while completing your exam, the consequences will be unpleasant."

The frown was severe, but faded soon enough. "Beyond that, dear students, I solemnly vow that I will be generous with evaluation. You have little to fear. Only show me what it is you have learned, and I will be well satisfied. Shall we begin?"

Do not ask about the elf costume. Do not ask about the elf costume. If you value your life, do not ask about the elf costume.

( Code of Conduct for Rational Discussion )

"Today," Miss Bennet said, clasping her hands behind her back, "is our last class before fall break, which means that we are midway through term. Thus far, we have been focusing on flaws in logical thinking; for the second half of the semester, we will concentrate more on ways to build a logical argument, problem-solving, and the like. Though I daresay we will still find ourselves looking at fallacies now and again."

"Therefore. Today I should like to have a brief discussion on anything regarding the first half of term - topics you felt were useful, areas you feel were not, or matters which were unclear, where you should like some enlightenment. Then, because I am not entirely as cruel as it may seem, we will be watching a film in which twelve average citizens are to determine the fate of one young man, if they can set aside their own preconceptions long enough to see the truth. After which, I should like for us to discuss the film, and the ways in which logical arguments played a starring role."

She offered a playful smile, at the last sentence. "So perhaps I am slightly more cruel than I seem? Nonetheless, let us begin."

Miss Bennet seemed a touch subdued, at the start of class. She had been male yesterday. It had been terribly jarring, especially when she realized she would not be able to pass the entire day without using the facilities. Students were advised not to inquire as to that particular matter.

( Logical Fallacies, Part Two )

Miss Bennet leaned back against her desk with a smile. "We have handouts, as we did last week, and I will assume that you can infer from there what we shall be doing, for our class discussion."

When the students filed into class today, they might notice that each desk had a sheet of paper, face down.

( The Forer Effect )