Formative Assessment and Feedback Strategies

How to Give Feedback That Helps, Not Hurts

Reading Time: 2 minutes

We’ve all seen it — a student works hard, gets feedback, and suddenly looks discouraged. Feedback can be a powerful tool for learning and motivation, but only if it’s done right. In this article, we’ll look at how to give feedback that builds confidence instead of hurting motivation.

1. Understand What Good Feedback Really Is

Good feedback isn’t about pointing out mistakes — it’s about guiding improvement. It should be short, clear, kind, and helpful.

Example:

• ❌ “This is wrong.”
• ✅ “You’re close — try explaining why this example fits the main idea.”

2. Start with Positives — Always

Begin by highlighting what the student did well. This lowers stress and opens them up to suggestions for improvement.

Try saying:

• “I like how you organized your thoughts here.”
• “You’ve made a strong start with your introduction.”

Positive comments build trust and make the next piece of advice easier to accept.

3. Be Specific, Not Vague

Avoid comments like “good job” or “needs work” — they don’t tell the student what to do next. Instead, be clear and actionable.

Example: “Your argument is strong, but adding one more example would make it even better.”

4. Focus on the Work, Not the Student

Separate the student’s identity from their work. Avoid phrases that sound personal.

Better phrasing:

• ❌ “You’re careless.”
• ✅ “There are a few typos in your essay — proofreading will make it stronger.”

5. Give Feedback Quickly and Regularly

Timely feedback is more effective because the student still remembers the task. Try giving short, regular comments instead of long ones at the end.

Use tools like Google Docs comments or Padlet to make it faster and more interactive.

6. Turn Feedback Into a Conversation

Invite students to respond or reflect on your feedback. Ask questions like, “What could make this stronger?” or “How do you plan to improve this part?”

This makes feedback two-way communication instead of a teacher’s monologue. Also, use “feedforward” — suggest how to improve in the next task, not just what went wrong in this one.

7. Use Positive Language, Even When Correcting

How you say things matters. Replace negative phrasing with encouraging alternatives.

• ❌ “You didn’t follow the structure.”
• ✅ “Try using this structure next time — it will make your ideas clearer.”

8. Try Creative Feedback Methods

Feedback doesn’t always have to be written. You can make it visual or interactive:

• Use stickers or colors (green = great, yellow = needs attention).
• Record short voice comments instead of long written ones — they sound warmer and save time.
• Let students give peer feedback to each other — they learn by reviewing others’ work.

Conclusion

Good feedback supports, not criticizes. It helps students grow with confidence and feel capable of improving. Remember:

“The goal of feedback is not to judge, but to help students grow with confidence.”

Before you send your next comment, ask yourself: “Would I feel encouraged if I received this?”