Constructive Feedback Examples: Make it Positive

When giving someone feedback, it’s important to approach them in a positive way. Focus on the good things they did, rather than just focusing on what needs to be improved. Acknowledge their efforts and hard work to show that you value their project, process, and progress. Also, don’t forget to compliment them on areas of strength—this will help boost their confidence and encourage them to continue working to improve.

Use positive framing, even when you want to talk about opportunities for growth. For example, you could say, “I really love how spirited and whimsical your main character is. Can we see more protagonist personality when she’s talking to her big brother? You want to make sure she’s a proactive protagonist.” Pairing a compliment with a suggestion for improvement can be quite effective. Constructive feedback examples might include citations of sentences you really like or character traits that work well in the story.

Many MFA programs teach the “Praise Sandwich” technique, which involves naming something you admire about the piece before the substantive part of your feedback, as well as at the end. This paves the way for you to deliver constructive feedback examples while leaving the writer feeling good about the exchange of writing notes (LINK: https://marykole.com/writing-notes).

Constructive Feedback Examples: Be Specific

The best constructive feedback is always specific and detailed. Rather than simply pointing out a problem without providing any context or explanation, offer concrete examples of what could be improved, and, more importantly, why you feel it should be addressed. This will help the writer understand exactly what needs to be done, and to also understand your process in arriving at your evaluation.

Specific constructive feedback examples might include statements like, “You sometimes tend to overuse clichés in your writing imagery. I’d love to see you think of new, creative ways for describing emotions. Here are some examples: ‘his heart pounded’ (page 45), ‘he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding’ (page 58), ‘his heart leaped in his chest’ (page 98). Think about how this seventeen-year-old time traveler from sixteenth-century Mongolia might see the world and reword some of these phrases with his character in mind.”

Compare the above to “I thought it was cliché” and you will see a big difference. The former constructive feedback examples are specific, precise, and use citations to make your point. The latter statement may not be intended as an insult, but it might sound that way to a creative writer who is expecting some dignity and delicacy when they come to a writing workshop.

Constructive Feedback Examples: Provide Solutions

In addition to being specific about opportunities for growth, you should also offer solutions or suggestions for how the writer can address the issues you’re identifying. This could include suggesting alternative methods or approaches, providing resources or helpful links, or offering advice based on your own experience (either as a writer or a reader, as suggesting mentor texts can be incredibly helpful). By offering potential solutions, you are helping the writer take ownership of their own growth and development.

Be careful not to insist that your constructive feedback examples be used, or to be prescriptive about solutions. The job of critique partners, or writing groups or editors is to provide suggestions, and a writer’s job is to decide where, when, how, and if to implement them. Suggesting a few different solutions can help spark a writer’s creative juices to solve the problem for themselves.

In my work as a developmental editor, I will often offer several potential prescriptions for how to address an issue. My favorite thing that sometimes happens, though, is if a writer runs with that feedback and offers their very own solution, something I couldn’t have dreamed up. That’s why they’re the writer!

Writing constructive feedback isn't easy—this discipline takes thoughtfulness and care in order for your criticism to be effective and helpful for the recipient. But if done correctly, your writing notes can be an invaluable tool for helping your peers identify areas of improvement, while also boosting morale and encouraging growth. The key is to approach writing critiques with positivity, while also being specific about what needs improvement, and offering potential solutions (even if they’re not followed to the letter). With these constructive feedback examples, you can not only improve the quality of your feedback, but give back to other creative writers in their time of need.