Using feedback

It is important that you read your feedback carefully and not just look at your grade, even if you scored highly. If you find yourself doing this change your perspective on feedback:

Think about how the comments can help improve your future work, rather than looking back on how you did
Try to not be upset by any negative remarks, use them to your advantage
Set goals/aims to work towards for future assignments, for example, if you lecturer has said that “there is not enough critical analysis” turn this into “next assignment I will include more critical analysis”.

Keep a feedback notebook or document where you can keep track of any feedback, using it to create action plans:

Identify pieces of feedback you’ve received and read through the comments
Highlight ones which are useful for future work
Divide them into major and minor issues
- Major issues: not answering the question, lack of evidence, poor argument
- Minor issues: a few spelling mistakes, minor grammatical errors
Are there any comments you’ve had before?
Look out for words like ‘almost’, ‘somewhat’, ‘mostly’ – these indicate further improvement is required
Number them in order of priority
Identify two comments which you think are a priority for you
You could take some feedback to your Personal Academic Tutor and discuss your goals with them

Examples of using your feedback:

“You haven’t paraphrased citations sufficiently”
Your tutor

I’ll make sure I paraphrase any sources I use
I’ll get some help with paraphrasing (Link to paraphrasing support)

“You haven’t answered the question”
Your tutor

I’ll examine the question carefully and make sure I understand it
I’ll check every paragraph and make sure it relates to the question

“Your work is too descriptive and not critical enough”
Your tutor

I’ll only use description where it is essential for the reader
I’ll make comments on sources rather than just saying what someone said
I’ll compare different ideas and evaluate them with my own

“You have used too many web references”
Your tutor

I’ll make sure I use trusted sources such as academic journals
I’ll ask the Library for help finding resources

“?” or “this doesn’t make sense”
Your tutor

I’ll read what I’ve written and make sure it’s understandable
If not, I’ll rewrite it in a clearer way

“Structure is a little disorganised”
Your tutor

I’ll plan my structure carefully and make sure I follow the plan
I’ll use signpost words (e.g. however, firstly) to direct the reader through my writing

Things you’ve done well

Lecturers should point out what you’ve done well as well as improvements to be made. Include these in your feedback notes to make sure you keep doing them.

E.g. If your lecturer says, “good attempt to analyse the theory”, this means you are progressing in your goal to achieve critical writing – keep trying to improve this!