Syntax 1 with Poole is a great class, it is definitely not a cake walk by any means, but you have the support and attention from TAs and Poole when you need help and clarification. (Grade was low due to outside circumstances during the quarter). The second half of the class is the harder section that will make or break grades, so stay alert and make sure you understand the material each week.

The material in this class is dry. However, Poole is a helpful professor during office hours. He is patient to explain and guide you to the answers. He provides handout notes in class so students don't have to print out anything. I like his sense of humor. Sometimes it helps during a boring lecture. Things in class usually don't make sense to you until you do the homework. The test (open-book) is challenging, in my opinion.

Compared to Ling 20, this class was definitely a step up as there is more emphasis on analysis rather than memorizing facts and rules. Also, the content keeps building upon itself throughout the quarter, so it's good to make sure you know what's going on as you go, because it'll get more confusing later. It definitely helps that Professor Poole is very organized and clear in lectures, and his handouts are a lifesaver

You guys are such crybabies omfg Ethan is not a bad professor. Yes the tests are not the same as the worksheets / practice exams but the opportunity to get points back on them is literally handed to you on a silver platter. God forbid you people actually have to put effort into understanding the material you are taught in class. Oh wait! 50% of you didn't even go! You are not serious people and I beg you all to please grow some sort of academic backbone next time you take a class that is known for being difficult

Professor Poole is definitely a super organized instructor and even provides handouts so it's easier to take notes. This is my 2nd Ling class, Ling 20 being the first, and it's super easy to get confused and lost. Totally my fault but I wish he would dumb down his lectures a bit. It's hard to truly understand the topic when he's speaking in big words lol. I think he's just too smart to dumb it down though. Hoping and praying for a C!!!

Horrible horrible horrible professor. NEVER TAKE HIM. His tests were completely different from homework and any worksheets. Literally the worst ever and let multiple people get c's for an elective lol. He is literally evil.

im RAGGGINNGGG like mind you i have never ever gotten anything below an a in any class so wtf is actually up with this class???? i felt like i was fine at syntax going into the course and i studied a bunch for the exams--did all the practice questions and redid homework questions multiple times AND THE TESTS? were actually absurd. in the beginning of the quarter, this professor seemed pretty nice, but by the end, i couldn't help but see pure evil in his eyes. he is genuinely praying on everyone's downfall he doesn't even care to spend too much time on anyone's question. i think he cares more about using unnecessarily big words to sound smart and make the material intentionally confusing than about whether students actually understand anything. i don't know how some people got As in this class all i know is that they have to be absolutely cracked... so DON'T take this class i regret i regret i regret i regret