Question

Which response gives more effective feedback?

You should change the setting from a city in the present to a farm in the past.
You need to give the main character more lines of dialogue.
I don’t like stories that don’t answer all my questions.
I was left wondering why the main character chose not to go home at the end.

Answer 1

1,2

Step-by-step explanation:

The first two responses give more effective feedback as they offer specific suggestions for improvement. The first response suggests changing the setting to better fit the story, while the second suggests giving the main character more dialogue, potentially adding depth to their character. The third response and fourth responses are less effective as they are more subjective in nature and don't offer specific suggestions for improvement. The third suggests a personal preference, while the fourth leaves the reader with a question about the character's motivations. Overall, feedback that includes specific suggestions for improvement is more effective than feedback that is subjective or vague.

Answer 2

The most effective form of feedback is the open-ended question 'I was left wondering why the main character chose not to go home at the end,' as it guides the author to explore deeper aspects of character motivation and theme development. Structural suggestions such as adding transitions or dialogue are also effective when specific and supportive of the narrative's goals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most effective feedback for a student's writing in the context of English or creative writing is one that is constructive, specific, and encourages further development of the narrative or characters. When comparing the feedback options given:

• 'You should change the setting from a city in the present to a farm in the past.' This is prescriptive and specific, but it may not account for the author's intent or narrative goals.
• 'You need to give the main character more lines of dialogue.' Again, specific, but without context, this could be less helpful. It doesn't address why the character might need more dialogue.
• 'I don’t like stories that don’t answer all my questions.' This is more about the reader's preference and less about improving the narrative structure or character development.
• 'I was left wondering why the main character chose not to go home at the end.' This feedback is open-ended and relates closely to the theme, prompting the author to explore character motivation, which may lead to significant revisions in the narrative.

Effective feedback often involves posing open-ended questions that relate to the theme, suggesting transitions where needed, and highlighting areas where further description or dialogue could enhance the reader's experience. The goal of feedback should be to guide the author to consider aspects of their writing that can be fleshed out to better develop the main idea or theme, rather than to impose personal preferences on the story.