ShmoopTube

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[Dino and Coop singing]

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Good feedback can be a great way to improve people's writing, but not all feedback is [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

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created equal.

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For instance, if someone gives you an essay and you glance at it, then hand it back and

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say, "Looks fine"? [Girl looks unconvincing]

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That's not exactly the most helpful feedback in the world. [Not helpful stamp]

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Luckily we've got some pointers to help you improve your feedback.

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Pointer number one?

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Remember to think about the whole.

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If someone's asking you for feedback about an assignment, that assignment probably has [Teacher giving a class an assignment]

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a purpose.

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So, think about how well the writer's work lines up with that purpose. [The task is 'Do X' so the girl just writes X on a piece of paper]

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For example, if the assignment was to write a funny story,

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and they gave you a picture that makes you wanna cry, then something probably went wrong. [Girl looks at a sad picture and cries]

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Pointer two!

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As you're reading, try to stay focused on the thoughts that come to you naturally, and [Dino pointing at a blackboard]

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be sure to write them down.

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For instance, maybe you stumbled at a certain part. [Guy trips on a comma]

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Note where, and try to figure out what caused the confusion.

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This kind of feedback can be a great opportunity for the writer to get a good look at what

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goes on inside the reader's head…

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…without resorting to brain surgery. [Guy about to open a mans head]

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Pointer three: it's a good idea to try to add something.

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As you're reading, it might occur to you that the text could benefit from something more: [Girl reading a paper]

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maybe another idea…

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…a different example

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…a nice turn of phrase

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…or even a quotation from an expert. [Thought bubbles appearing with ideas]

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Whatever it is, be sure to pass it along to the writer, because writing's a lot easier [Ideas landing on the writers desk]

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when good ideas just fall into your lap.

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And last but not least, pointer four!

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Ask questions.

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Sure, you're the one who's supposed to be giving the feedback,

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sometimes asking a question as simple as: "What were you thinking here?" can really [Girl asking the boy questions]

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get the gears turning… [Gears in the boys head turning]

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…and the writer can come up with a solution to a problem they didn't even know existed. [A lightbulb appears on his head]

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And that's it!

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So…how's about it?

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Have any feedback for us?

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…Don't hold back.

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We're…brave….ish… [Dino looks annoyed that he only got 4 stars feedback]

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