This is the point of the year where I inevitably have to give students failing grades on higher-stakes assignments because they either a) ignored multiple lower-stake opportunities to recognize and correct common mistakes or b) are trying but are behind in necessary skills (usually these are ESL students w language barriers but not always). I’m getting the “Professor I don’t think I deserved this grade because I worked really really hard” e-mails. So far I’m answering them with something akin to “unfortunately I can only grade based on content, not effort, plz schedule a meeting w me to talk through” but wondering if anyone has any other stock responses that have worked well for them in this situation.