When wondering how to go about giving students helpful feedback, we might begin by considering the most helpful types of feedback that we ourselves have received. Here are some examples of valuable feedback that TAs have received on their own work:
– Suggestions for structure without prescription.
– “Don’t quit!”
– Advice on sentence- and paragraph-level composition and structure.
– Feedback that honoured my voice and what I was trying to do; general advice around not being precious / being willing to let go of pre-conceived ideas.
– Highlighting what worked, what connected with the reader, what to emphasize, where to build off.
– Noting specific places where there’s confusion or the intent isn’t coming through.
– Specific reasons for issues with realism or character believability.
– To read widely!
– Provocative questions that open the text for me as the writer.
What is the most valuable feedback that you have received? Share it in the comments!