Positive feedback is essential to the overall success of the student. A lot of how I progressed as a writer was responding to the feedback and direction of my instructors.
As a writer how others perceive your work plays a large factor into the growth and final product. In returning a student's writing assignment there are three different scenarios; positive and directive, critical and less involved, and lastly no feedback at all.
Positive Teacher Feedback: Wisdom of Allen Webb
"This paragraph rambles. What's its central point?"
- Allows me to see where the problem is and brings my attention to a more clear direction.
"Very awkward."
-Recognize that the specific paragraph wasn't well put but no input on how to go about bringing change.
"You seemed to be using it differently, and unclear."
-Clarifies that the term was used differently then discussed in lecture and required
See what is really there.
Beware of accusations of plagiarism
Plagiarism typically teacher’s responsibility
Be generous -- look for and find the best possible things in the paper – try to find the student’s intention and support it
School writing
5-paragraph paper
number of sentences in a paragraph
topic sentences
explicit thesis statement
thesis at end of first paragraph
How could this piece become writing for the real world?
What would be the advantages of a real piece of writing?
Teacher becomes ally rather than adversary
If read well student work will reveal your mistakes as a teacher more than the student mistakes.