Guy Rotella is an English professor at Northeastern University rated 4.5/5 by 25 students, with 3.8/5 difficulty (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Guy Rotella professor reviews and ratings: 4.5/5 from 25 student reviews at Northeastern. TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
Amazingly brilliant man. Not only that but a very good instructor. Rotella will tell you the facts straight up, he has a no nonsense aditude and made me really appreciate English Literature so much that I switched my major from Journalism to English. I would say Third best professor I have ever had.ENGL2100 2011-11-18 14:12:49 +0000 UTC
I attended Dr. Rotella's classes years ago and he is, bar none, my most favorite professor ever. As one post said, he will not let you settle. And that is good: he makes you stretch yourself and (it is hoped) learn. He is a true educator.ENG9999 2011-03-30 14:58:20 +0000 UTC
Many years ago Itook a course on e cummings by Rotella--I never forgot him...for all the years my ideas were not understood in high school, he finally reflected them through cummings and suddenly my papers got As...he validated what may have been lost in me for lack of conscious understanding...it was one of those teacher-student I-thou moments.ENG101 2009-12-16 17:41:33 +0000 UTC
He is so brilliant that it is almost intimidating, but the he is so kind and interested in the lives and interests of his students and in keeping us engaged in the course that the intelligence is in no way a negative. He wants students to learn and to enjoy it, which is the greatest quality an educator can have. My favorite ever.ENG335 2009-04-28 23:08:00 +0000 UTC
Very intelligent, funny, and entertaining professor. However, it can be a mixed bag: it sometimes feels like he's too smart for his own good, & it can make students feel belittled; it's also downright impossible to please him w/ your papers. But he's very insightful, his classes are always interesting. I just would've preferred auditing the class.ENGU600 2009-04-19 10:33:14 +0000 UTC
Easily the best professor I've ever had.MODPO 2008-07-29 19:23:46 +0000 UTC
I love this man. He has an immaculate sense of humor (as far as humor goes in literature), an apparently copious store of intelligence, and a warm personality. I would not mind having him in another course.ENG226 2008-04-03 22:03:08 +0000 UTC
amazing.BCGRD221 2007-04-17 01:32:36 +0000 UTC
My favorite professor ever. He enjoys sharing the lectures with the class. Participation will get you far. Incredibly well spoken, kind hearted person. I admit to having a small man crush. Simply a man amongst boys.CONLIT 2007-02-23 09:45:57 +0000 UTC
Great Guy. V. Helpful and knows whats current. Most motivating and bright of all the NU gangENGG 2006-11-27 20:29:04 +0000 UTC
Very hard grader, but one of those kinds of professors that you don't feel bad about the grade because of the amount of knowledge you get from it. He'll rip your essays a new butt hole, you can definitely not BS his classes. I strongly recommend to go to his office hours, esp. for papers that you would have to turn in.MODERNPOETRY 2006-05-09 21:03:57 +0000 UTC
He is such a great teacher! He is challenging but you can't help loving him for not letting you settle. I highly recomment taking one of his classes, I have taken every class he offers and loved them all!MANY 2006-03-30 14:44:24 +0000 UTC
professor rotella is easily the best professor i've had at NU. very smart - he must know everything on the subjects he teaches and can answer any question. don't be intimidated - after class he's extremely friendly and helpful. difficult grader but not unfair at all - do the extra credit paper. cool guy, makes me want to be a professor.BACKGROUNDS 2005-08-30 21:47:41 +0000 UTC
He is one of the smartest people I have ever met . . . he is intimidating at first, but he's actually a really nice guy, and he's overall a fair grader. And, He's really funny . . . I have taken him twice . . . and I would again!ENG687 2005-04-13 15:18:33 +0000 UTC
Extremely knowledgeable about almost everything. Lots of note taking and lectures in class but he tries to keep it interesting by telling jokes. Overall, the class wasn't that hard but you really have to be there everyday and do your best to pay attention. He tries to help you get the most out of itENGU226 2005-04-02 18:10:54 +0000 UTC
Guy Rotella has an average rating of 4.5/5 from 25 student reviews.
Guy Rotella's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.8/5 based on student reviews.
Data updated July 2026.