Be sensitive to the language you’re using when giving feedback. Try to be clear in what it is you’re feeling when reading and how you’re understanding it. Usually this will allow you to flesh out what you want to give feedback on. Often, it helps to try to describe what you see and how you see something.
A helpful heuristic:
Describe: Detail your impression of what the writer is attempting to convey.
Evaluate: Explain how effective you perceive their strategies to be in the piece.
Suggest: Make suggestions from your position as an audience member for how the writer can revise. Suggestions should aim to help the writer clearly and convincingly convey their argument.
Dos and Don’ts
- Don’t give all criticism or all praise. Give both positive and negative comments.
- Be specific with comments. “This is good” does not provide constructive feedback.
- Try not to get caught up on minor grammar issues. Look at higher-order ideas.