David Ober is an English professor at Northeastern University rated 2.9/5 by 273 students, with 3.22/5 difficulty and 32.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
David Ober professor reviews and ratings: 2.9/5 from 273 student reviews at Northeastern (32.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Ton of homework that is honestly just nonsense. Hes unclear on what he even wants from us and assigns random group work. Also, if you miss a couple of classes you have to drop the class. Bad prof. Do NOT take himENGW3304 2026-01-22 17:42:36 +0000 UTC
Guys he is NOT that bad. Yes there is a lot of homework- but it's graded on completion and not quality. You can do it in 20-30 minutes. Participate like once a day and do the homework, you'll get an A easily. He's also really nice- will give you an extension if you just ask for it after class. Overall not a bad prof.ENGW1111 2026-01-07 16:48:26 +0000 UTC
What are you people geeked for? David Ober was such a sweet and fun professor to be around. This is coming from someone who does not like English in the slightest. Though Ober made me respect it just a little. Sure, there is homework, but it's just 250-word responses (which can be done in 30 minutes) with the occasional essay. Lowkey my goatENG1111 2025-12-06 02:55:13 +0000 UTC
Sweet guy, but not a great professor. He would mark off assignments but then only give praise with no criticism or reason for demarcation. As this is an upper level class, I was prepared for a lot of writing, but the assignments felt irreverent and added little to my education. Learned nothing.ENGW3315 2025-08-13 19:41:00 +0000 UTC
Good teacher but prepare for lots of homework. Each class has a reading and/or writing assignment due. There are a lot of group writing assignments in class. Learned a lot about writing and improved my drafting abilities but some of the work felt excessive.ENGW3307 2022-12-11 17:35:54 +0000 UTC
Just do all of the homework and you will get a good grade. Don't worry about reading everything he assigns just skim a few pages and write a solid response. Such an easy and nice teacher. I literally got a 100.ENGLISH1111 2020-12-11 17:29:24 +0000 UTC
Professor Ober was a pretty great English professor I thought. Graded essays very fairly, and provided rubrics that gave enough detail to let you know what to do, but enough flexibility to allow for some creativity in writing style. He was not heavy on grammar for ENGW3306, but I imagine things may be different for more writing intensive courses.ENGW3306 2018-02-14 12:56:49 +0000 UTC
Assigns response papers for every single class. Papers are based off readings that he expects you do do for every class, usually 80-100 pages. Then he gives you pop quizzes on the reading on small details that you will simply not remember. Thinks his class is the only class on the planet.ENGL2200 2016-04-04 22:16:37 +0000 UTC
I was only in Professor Ober's class for 2 days before I realized I would have to write an essay every day for the rest of the semester (summer 1). I simply did not have the time to do so. If you have the ability to and love writing, I would take this class. The essay I did write was on discourse communities and it was a fun essay to write.ENGW3304 2023-05-14 20:29:51 +0000 UTC
Don't take this class unless you want to be reading pages on pages, every night. Even as a CS major I felt as I was spending more time on his assignments then some of my harder classes. His teaching style isn't the best and all writing is based on another author, and your not really training your own writing style.ENGW1111 2025-01-08 01:20:49 +0000 UTC
A lot of homework, occasionally understanding, random group work, and doesn't respond to emails fastENG1111 2025-12-03 19:26:12 +0000 UTC
He's decent at teaching. At times he can be boring, but he does try to get everyone involved and he's a chill guy. Course material is very boring though. Professor makes us read A LOT. honestly i skimmed through most of it since it was too much and very boring but you will be forced to discuss so at least skim the readings. you cant not do them.ENGW3304 2017-11-14 01:58:57 +0000 UTC
Not good, his teaching style is so flawed and does not make sense on why were writing like another author instead of training our own unique style of writing.ENGW1111 2024-10-17 23:19:13 +0000 UTC
He is now an English professor at MCPHS and he is the most god awful professor I've ever met. He has atleast 3 different assignments due every week that has nothing to do with the subject. PLS DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.ENG1111 2025-04-09 15:38:49 +0000 UTC
grading based on attendance in this day and age is crazy, not a w, find another professor guysENGW1111 2024-04-25 22:27:21 +0000 UTC
David Ober has an average rating of 2.9/5 from 273 student reviews. 32.0% of students said they would take them again.
David Ober's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.22/5 based on student reviews.
David Ober has taught ENGW3315, ENGW1111, ENGW3304, ENGW3306, ENGW3307, ENGW3308, ENGW3302 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.