Working with Feedback

On this page:

Why is feedback given?
How can you use feedback?
Helpful tips for using feedback
Common feedback explained

Academic feedback comes in various different forms. You might be familiar with assignment feedback, but feedback is also given by lecturers and professional staff whenever a response is given to a question or comment and throughout your time at university. It is our way of helping to guide and advice you towards improvement - we want you to achieve the most that you can throughout your studies.

Why is feedback given?

Good quality feedback at university with help to guide and advice you towards achieving the best outcome from your studies. The feedback will contribute towards your academic development.

You have spent time and effort in the planning, researching and writing of your academic work, so it is important that you receive feedback in response to the work you have submitted. Your lecturer is acknowledging the work you have done and is providing you with an opportunity to review their comments and to put them in place for the next piece of work you submit, to help you to continuously develop your academic skills.

How can you use feedback?


Formative feedback comes in various forms, but is commonly received from lecturers on an ongoing basis. For example, you might receive formative feedback in response to a comment or question that is discussed in a lecture. It is important to recognise that this type of feedback is important.	You will get summative feedback from assignments and any academic work that contributes to your final mark. The summative feedback is a combination of the comments made in the assignment by your lecturer, the feedback and the mark. It is important to recognise the various aspects of this feedback.
So how do you use the feedback?
This feedback can be used to plan and develop you academic work. It can help to ensure you understand theories and concepts accurately and that you know how to apply them within your academic work.	This feedback should be used to guide you during the next piece of academic work that you do. Some students like to keep a note of the feedback in a word document, this acts as a check list and can be built upon as you go through your studies.

At times, feedback can feel like a criticism of your work or your understanding. As a university student, you will build resilience which, in turn, will help you to see that the feedback is a tool for you to use to improve your academic skills. It can be helpful to think of feedback as a conversation between yourself and your lecturers, they are giving you the information you need to be able to improve.

Helpful tips for using feedback

Lots of students focus solely on the grade received. Make sure you reflect on the comments and notes from your lecturer too.
Sometimes, your marker will raise a question as a comment. This is an opportunity for you to think about how you would answer the question and prepare for the next assignment.
Before you submit your work, attempt to self-assess to see what grade you think you have achieved. Use the marking criteria to do this. When you get your feedback, reflect upon the grade you thought you would get against the mark you have received and assess the difference between the two.
If your marker has suggested references to check or look up, take the time to follow this through. They are guiding you towards quality references that will help you in your next assignment.
Ask your marker to discuss your feedback in a face to face meeting. During this meeting, you can ask questions about feedback you are not clear about, or ask for further details about the feedback.
Be careful when discussing feedback with your peers. Although students may receive similar feedback, this should always be reflected upon by the student who receives the feedback because every student is different and will have submitted different assignments.
Build resilience so you can see the feedback as a positive tool to move you forwards - focusing on feedback negatively will only hold you back.

Common Feedback Explained

Feedback	What does it mean?
Check this	Something is not accurate or correct. Find out what is it that you have included that is incorrect so you know for next time.
Very clear	Your marker thinks you have presented this information in a way that can be understood easily.
Incorrect grammar or punctuation	You have made an error in your grammar or punctuation. This could be a full stop, comma or apostrophe in the wrong place, or the incorrect use of a word.
Good use of a source	You have used a good source correctly, which has supported the point you have made.
Incorrect use of source	You have made an error when using a source, this could be in the wrong place or you may have incorrectly understood the source. This is a good example of feedback that you could use for further clarification about.
Effective signposting	You have been able to signpost or point your marker towards the next point you are moving on to well.
Paragraph structure not right / Follow of assignment not clear	You may have mixed points up within your paragraphs. Remember the one point per paragraph rule and how all your evidence within the paragraph should link in with the point of the paragraph. Have a look at our resources for writing PEA paragraphs.

This is a very basic example of some common feedback comments. If you are unsure about any feedback you have received, speak to your marker for further clarification.