How to Use Essay Feedback to Improve Your Grades: 5 Practical Tips
Five practical ways to approach constructive criticism and turn every teacher comment into a better essay.
August 7, 2023 · By Arushi Dubey
Getting an essay back covered in corrections is never a pleasant feeling, especially after you have poured hours into writing it. But the way you respond to that feedback is often what separates students who steadily improve from those who stay stuck on the same grade. Whether you are studying in Dubai or anywhere else in the world, here are five practical ways to approach constructive criticism and put it to work.
Don't Take It Personally
Receiving harsh feedback can be a disheartening experience, especially when it is on a piece of writing you dedicated a large amount of your time to. However, it is important to approach criticism in a constructive manner. Your teachers have a considerable amount of experience and are there to help you: any comments they make on your writing are solely there to improve it and take it to the next level. Genuinely spending time reading and understanding their feedback can help you realise that the judgements they made are fair.
Don't Rush
It is important not to rush. Truly spend time addressing your feedback; that way, you can successfully correct any errors you have made and even brainstorm new ideas to write about in your essay. Additionally, reading through your feedback as soon as you get it gives you time to ask your teachers to clarify anything that is unclear to you. Sometimes a teacher's remarks can be hard to understand, so ensuring you have a sufficient amount of time to address any concerns is critical.
Analyse and Apply What You Have Learnt
Aside from the feedback you have been given, it is important to use the knowledge you have gained from previous lessons. A teacher's feedback can often be a rough guideline for improving your essay, so alongside the remarks you receive on your work, make sure to apply everything you already know. One thing worth considering when enhancing your essay is how well it aligns with the mark scheme or marking rubric.
Make Use of the Resources Available to You
Making improvements to your work can be a difficult task, which is why you should always use the resources you have available to your advantage. Examples include textbooks, library books, the assessment rubric and even a private English tutor who can go through your feedback with you line by line. These are there to help you and will most definitely keep you on the path to success.
Clarify Anything That Is Unclear
If your teacher has made any vague remarks, make sure to clarify them immediately. This allows you to get a better understanding of what to improve and how to do so. Ignoring unclear comments prevents your essay from reaching its utmost potential, so asking whoever reviewed your work, whether that is your teacher or a private tutor, to go over anything you are not too sure about can only be beneficial.
The Bottom Line
Feedback is not a verdict on your ability: it is a roadmap to a better essay. Take it calmly, give yourself enough time to work through it, and combine your teacher's comments with the mark scheme and everything you already know. Every round of feedback you act on brings your writing one step closer to top marks. And if you would like a second pair of eyes on your next draft, you can always request a tutor who will work through the feedback with you.
Arushi Dubey
Unitors contributor writing about study skills, essay writing and student life.
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