Feedback

Giving Feedback:
Peer Listener's/Reader's Role

• be positive; be gentle; be specific; don't "overload" the author
  
• listen/read attentively
  
• say something positive first
  
• ask questions about anything that is not clear
  
• ask questions if details are not enough
  
• use "I statements":
  
  I would like to know more about what happened when....
  I am not sure what this means ....
  I would like to know more details about....
  I think I'd enjoy this more if you'd SHOW your anger not just tell me about it...
  
• avoid using "you should" statements:
  
  NO: You should add more details...
  YES: It would be interesting to know more details about....
  NO: You should show, not tell.
  YES: Can you show in descriptive words or action words that you were so angry?

• ask specific questions to get specific responses;
  
• say "Thank you" to end the feedback session and show that you have enough feedback to go ahead with your revision
  
• guide your listener/reader by asking him/her to focus on something specific:
  
  Do you like my lead?
  What part of my story did you like best? Why?
  Did I put in enough details?
  Does my dialogue sound real?
  
• ask questions for specific responses:
  
  Why do you like that part of my story?
  Why don't you like the part about.... ?

• How's your piece coming?
  
• What are your concerns about this piece right now?
  
• What do you like best about this piece right now?
  
• What class activities are helping you with this piece?
  
• What will you do next with this piece? Why? How?