Incorporating Feedback Receiving feedback is intimidating and sometimes frustrat

Incorporating Feedback
Receiving feedback is intimidating and sometimes frustrating. It is also important, and makes us better writers. Below are steps to manage the feedback and revision process. Use what you can, and add in your own ideas where you can.
Step 1: Re-read your own paper and answer the following questions:
1. Can you identify the thesis or main objective of the paper?
2. Is the thesis or main objective supported in the body of paper?
3. Does the introduction give readers a clear understanding of what the paper will be about?
4. Are you confused by anything you wrote?
5. What idea(s) need more evidence or support? Are your ideas easy to follow?
6. Were there any transitions that seemed weak or abrupt?
7. Is there any evidence that seems irrelevant to the thesis?
8. Are unfamiliar terms explained or defined?
9. Is your language suitable for your audience?
10. Do you have all the trimmings and polishings, like title, page numbers, works cited page, etc.?
Step 2: Read your instructor’s comments and feedback. Don’t do this until you have read your paper first! Answer the following questions:
1. Does your instructor give any feedback that you just gave yourself? That’s great! You already know you need to revise in those areas.
2. Are you confused by any of the feedback or comments? Make a list of specific questions to ask your instructor.
3. Can you categorize each comment into one of the following categories: organization, content/topic development, sentence structure, mechanics and usage, audience awareness, and formatting? These are the categories listed on your rubric. If you can identify what type of feedback you are getting, you can make a plan for revision.
4. Do you disagree with any of the feedback? Discuss this with your instructor!
5. Is it clear what you did well? You need to know this so that you don’t change everything.
Step 3: Make a plan for revision. Here are some options:
1. Re-read the readings and see what new things you discover. Any new evidence that might help your argument?
2. Rewrite your instructor’s feedback in a short, readable to-do list.
3. Consult your assignment and decide which things you need to tackle first. For example, if your essay didn’t have topic sentences that linked back to your thesis, you need to either revise your topic sentences or revise your thesis.
4. Reverse outline your essay to identify content gaps and help with organization.
5. Make sure you have a sound thesis and supporting evidence before you worry about word choice, sentence structure, and formatting.