Dear Ms. Turnipseed, As you are no doubt aware, you recently assigned young Snidely a grade of "F" for the assigned paper on Richard I due some 6 months ago. I

Dear Ms. Turnipseed, As you are no doubt aware, you recently assigned young Snidely a grade of "F" for the assigned paper on Richard I due some 6 months ago. I concede that he did not, in fact, produce such a paper and acknowledge that you offered to work with him outside of class on several occasions. But, as you must agree, he has attended class faithfully, has taken copious notes, and has even been in the library on more than one occasion. Clearly, his chosen topic, "Richard I: Lion Heart or Lily Liver," promises a worthwhile exploration of an important subject. I'm sure you will agree that, had he laid pen to paper (or digits to keyboard), he could have produced a more than adequate paper. Accordingly, I insist you assign him full marks forthwith. Sincerely etc. etc, Snidely, Sr.