Ways to Approach Feedback to Student Writing

Below are eight methods you can use to elicit feedback from readers about what you have written.

As a writer, keep in mind that you need to direct the type of feedback you want, and it is up to you to sift through what readers say to determine what is most effective for you. As a reader, listen to what the writer asks for. Be honest in responses, but do not be overly critical. Offer helpful, constructive feedback that will help the writer improve the writing. 

1. What’s the point?
   1. What sticks in your mind? 
   2. What do you remember most? 
   3. Summarize the paper’s main point(s). 
   4. What points could be emphasized? 
   5. What could be the focus for the paper? 
2. What is almost said? 
   1. What details do you like? 
   2. What do you want to hear more about? 
   3. Where could the writer add detail? 
   4. What could the writer add? 
3. Reply 
   1. What are your thoughts about the writer’s topic? 
   2. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? 
4. Voice 
   1. Describe the person speaking. Can you picture him/her? 
   2. Describe the narrator’s tone: Is he/she sarcastic, serious, satirical, pompous, respectful? 
   3. Would the piece work better if told in first person? Third person?
5. Movie of the Mind 
   1. What do you see as you read/ listen? 
   2. What images come to you? 
   3. Describe in detail what you see.
6. Believing and Doubting (especially good for argument or position papers) 
   1. Read as though you believed everything written: 
   2. What questions would you have?
   3. What evidence or arguments would strengthen the point? 
   4. Read as though you doubted everything: 
   5. What questions would you ask? 
   6. What arguments would the opposing side have with this writer’s position?
7. Criterion-based
   1. Ask specific questions about the requirements of the writing: 
   2. Describe the characters’ personalities: Are they distinct people? 
   3. What jokes work for you? Which don’t? Why? 
   4. How could I organize the paper better? 
   5. How could I make this part less technical? 
   6. Does the writer include a description of him/herself as a writer and reader? 
   7. What parts of the assignment need to be addressed more fully? 
8. Metaphorical Description
   1. If this piece were a car (or clothing, weather, animal, etc.), what kind would it be?
   2. (Typically the answer does not matter, but an explanation of why can tell you if your writing is doing what you want it to do.)

Adapted from Peter Elbow and Pat Belanoff’s A Community of Writers, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, 2000.