If you specifically want an A+ or an A, or even an A- this may not be the class for you. Dr. Kipen is a very intriguing, but picky professor. In a class period, the time would include Professor Kipen talking about the author from an assigned passage of reading that he would send as image attachments through email. After we went over some of our favorite/most notable quotes, we would then be given an in-class writing exercise. This consists of typing in a brief paragraph in response to an even briefer prompt and then sent through his email to be read aloud in class. Professor Kipen tries his best to get to every student, but sometimes he will miss a few. There are Three assignments that complete a majority of the grading. The first is 4-pages of journal entries. The second is a 5-page essay about our hometowns and the last one varies as based off of other reviews, but it will be a 6-page essay. Our prompt for the last 6-page essay this quarter was to write about an author and our argument for the author to be added onto the syllabus. The prompt Professor Kipen gives us is not very clear, which makes room for creative freedom, but also leads to a lot of confusion amongst students. The book for this class is NOT required because he sends images of the short passages we must read. This class taught by this specific professor is best for someone who is comfortable without clear prompts and can manage the time it takes to write essays. Overall, this class was stressful for me because I wanted my writing to please the professor and his taste, but the content was interesting and there was never a dull day in class.

I took this class thinking I will improve in my writing, but I am still at the same level I entered with. I wish I was informed of this previously and changed english classes. As a writing major I wanted to be able to seek help, and I did not get any. I don't recommend taking this class unless your writing is as good as the Los Angeles Times writing. Not to mention, he is a Los Angeles Times writer so he wont have time for you and will grade really harshly based on his opinions.

I dont understand why Kipen's rating is so low on bruinwalk. He assigned only 3 or 4 papers throughout the quarter without any finals. He is nice, funny, and very helpful with questions you may have for him.

Great professor, take him if you can. Only 3 essays through the whole quarter: the first one is 4 pages, second is 5 pages and the last is 6 pages. The first two papers are graded in a 'conference' which is basically where you sit with him as he goes through it giving you real-time feedback which I found to be really helpful. Additionally in each class you write a paragraph and read it out. Overall, not much work at all, and can help balance a hard quarter. 10/10 would recommend you take him if you can, he's also a really nice guy!

I feel like this class was not beneficial in my learning and at the end hurt my gpa. I tried learning and doing my best to succeed, but he did not care. He indirectly called me a bad writer and did not want to help me improve my writing. This class was only two hours long, but felt like forever since he doesn't stop talking. He goes off on random tangents and does not actually teach you anything you need to know. His writing prompts are always confusing and make no sense. I think he is a nice guy, but did not have time to nurture each students desires and needs when it comes to writing.

Loved this class. Nearly two hour "lectures" never felt like it. He absolutely adores good writing and gets everyone else to love it too. Also has an incredible range of knowledge on literature/film. Ask him about any writer, screenwriter, or director since the beginning of time and he's sure to have stories to tell about them.

This class was not helpful. Do not take if you want to get into a recipe for disaster. I do not recommend, if you need one on one help. Take another writing 2. Trust me.

Worst teacher ever. Highly do not recommend taking him. If you want to get screwed over, then take him. He puts his life first and doesn't care to help nor teach the students . Do not take.

Kipen is a very interesting guy, often found dressed in an Ivy League style, hanging out either sipping coffee or reading a book at YRL. We read great essays by even greater essayists. He tries to make his classes fun and engaging while involving everyone to participate. His essay instructions are almost always "write what you want to write" (within a given scope), which does make his assignments more enjoyable. He does grade your first two essays in front of you, which while nerve-wrecking, is very helpful for me to improve my writing.

Professor Kipen has been my favorite professor at UCLA. His lectures are super easy, and he's a funny guy. He goes through the quotes from the readings he assigned for the first part of the lecture, and then gives a prompt for a short response that you email to him, which he then reads out loud (it's actually quite funny watching him try to figure out how his computer works.) It was really casual, and typically one or two comments were good enough.
His class had 3 essays: a 4-paged journal, 5-paged guide about your hometown, and a 6-paged argument about inclusion of a writer not already on the syllabus. They didn't feel like a task at all. I'll admit, the prompts are a little vague. But from my experience, he didn't really care if you answered the prompts to the T. He was more interested in seeing you develop as a writer. Don't be scared to ask him for advice (about the essays or otherwise), because he's always so helpful.
One caveat: If you're coming into this class thinking you'll walk it and get an easy A, you might want to reconsider. Kipen pushes the depth of your writing ability, albeit in fun and intriguing ways.
Basically, if you're a student Kipen doesn't know well and someone who just sits silent, you might struggle. But if you develop a relationship with Kipen, he's going to do everything to help you as a writer (and get an A). For me, at least, he's been more than a professor; he's been a mentor and a friend. Highly recommend.