how to give good feedback
— be specific
point to exact sentences or moments, not just general impressions
— be balanced
note what's working as well as what could be strengthened
— be constructive
offer suggestions, not instructions
— be attentive to voice
support the writer's intentions rather than rewriting in your own style
what to look for
— clarity: are ideas easy to follow?
— structure: does the piece feel cohesive?
— language: are there sentences that could be sharper or more precise?
— impact: what lingers after reading?
what to avoid
— rewriting the piece in your own voice
— overly vague feedback ("this is good" / "this is confusing")
— harsh or dismissive language
— focusing only on negative
what to avoid
— rewriting the piece in your own voice
— overly vague feedback ("this is good" / "this is confusing")
— harsh or dismissive language
— focusing only on negative
we're not looking for perfect editors.
just thoughtful readers.
helpful approaches
quote specific lines when giving feedback
ask questions ("could this be clearer?" "what is this moment doing?")
suggest possibilities rather than corrections
keep the writer's intention in mind
tone matters
good feedback is clear, honest, and kind
it should help the writer see their work more clearly — not discourage them from continuing
helpful approaches
quote specific lines when giving feedback
ask questions ("could this be clearer?" "what is this moment doing?")
suggest possibilities rather than corrections
keep the writer's intention in mind
tone matters
good feedback is clear, honest, and kind
it should help the writer see their work more clearly — not discourage them from continuing
