Positive Feedback

Chapter 14 on "Responding to Student Writing" provided great practical advice on how to respond to student writing.

"Comments that enhance learning differ from traditional methods of hunting errors and identifying what's wrong with a paper. They also must point out what the student did well, why certain problems undermine effective communication, and how to imporve the paper" (226).

The phrase that sticks out the most is, "They must also point out what the student did well."

In my opinion this concept is not practiced enough.

I've had instructors in the past who have provided me with feedback on my papers. Some provided systmeatic feedback listing all the problems from least to greatest, and others start off with the good stuff and end with the problems. I can appreciate the good and the bad, because it allows me to see that at least I am doing some things correctly. I personally do not think that I am a bad writer, however, when all you hear is the negative, you begin to believe the lie. You begin to believe that somehow you do not fit in to the circle of other writers and that your attemps at writing is somehow fradulent.

While tutoring students that I have worked with, I must be honest and say that I tend to point out the flaws without always providing positive feedback. I guess I can blame it on the fact that I have emulated this mode from past English instructors, but I will take the high road and say that I simply felt that the writing was not always good. But who am I...... right?

In the beginning of the chapter Donald M. Murray quotes that "The writing teacher must not be a judge, but a physician. His job is not punish, but to heal. It seems lika a pretty simple concept, but at times quite difficult to master. We make judgements about each other every day. Perhaps we do not mean to, but it happens just the same. I have done it. My teachers have done it me in response to my writing. However, what I hope to learn from this chapter and the point that I believe Lindemann is making:

Positive feedback not only boosts a writer's confidence, but it allows the writer to focus on the areas they do need to improve. This method will keep the writer moving forward and allows confidence to be built.

It is so easy to be a critic.

Kenneth Tyan said, "A critic is a man who knows the way but can't drive the car."