What is a Critical & Constructive Comment?
Critical & Constructive Comment
A critical constructive comment consists of one or more sentences which identifies a shortcoming (e.g., something that is not adequately explained, not logically connected or integrated with other parts of the report, poorly illustrated, not correctly interpreted, a poorly chosen reference) AND which suggests a specific option or means by which this shortcoming could be remedied. Also, comment tone is neutral or positive, which no slights or insults expressed or implied.
Feedback is an essential part of effective learning. As such, many scholars and professionals practice peer review to improve each other’s work in their fields. Participating in peer feedback in writing can help students:
- learn how to read carefully, with attention to the details of a piece of writing (whether their own or another writer’s);
- learn how to strengthen their writing by taking into account the responses of actual and anticipated readers;
- make the transition from writing primarily for themselves or for an instructor to writing for a broader audience–a key transition for students as they learn to write university-level papers and as they prepare for post-graduate work;
- learn how to formulate and communicate constructive feedback on a peer’s work;
- learn how to gather and respond to feedback on their own work.
Reference
Center for Teaching and Learning at Washington University at St. Louis (n.d.). Using peer review to help students improve their learning. https://teachingcenter.wustl.edu/resources/writing-assignments-feedback/using-peer-review-to-help-students-improve-their-writing Links to an external site.
When you read peer reviews about your work
Take a deep breath. As you’re reading the feedback, it might be helpful to think about your paragraphs as someone else’s paragraphs. Scan the feedback once, and if you feel like you are having an emotional reaction to it, that’s totally normal – and it means you would be wise to give yourself at least day or two to calm down and distance yourself from it. When you return, consider the feedback objectively. Every piece of writing has room for improvement, no matter how strong it is to start. Reread the assignment expectations and your paragraphs. Use the pieces of feedback that are helpful for aligning your paragraphs with the expectations provided. Feel free to ignore other pieces of feedback. Whether you choose to use or ignore feedback, make sure the decision is in the service of making your work the best paragraphs they can be.