Gretchen Wehr wrote an essay about ways to use positive feedback in EN101 to enhance learning for everyone.

    Each one of you is faced with the challenge of giving feedback each day. Whether it is on a stimulating topic in class or something as simple as telling a friend whether or not you like the outfit that they have on, giving feedback is something that everyone has had experience with. However trivial this process may seem, it is imperative that one understands its importance. This semester I took a course called En101, or College Writing. In this class we are required to give feedback on essays and articles. Giving negative feedback is often easier than giving positive feedback. In fact, most people would probably admit that giving positive feedback is very difficult for them. The same things applies in my College Writing class. Most students find that the most difficult thing to do in this class is to give feedback without saying something negative. However, we all have to learn how to give positive feedback, or be prepared to face the consequences. For instance, imagine what would happen if your best friend asked you whether or not he had a good chance of dating a girl that you know. If you laugh in his face, he may never speak to you again, and if he is really sensitive and truly values your opinion, he may never date again. Okay, so this example may seem a little extreme, but have you ever sat down and really considered the effect that your words may have on someone? Perhaps now is the time to do so.

    If you are someone that has no idea how feedback can truly affect a single person's ideas or feelings, I invite you to sit in on my eight o'clock morning class for College Writing. As the students shuffle in, half asleep, a few nervous classmates sit quietly at their desks, clutching some papers in their hands. Confused? Let me explain. Each week, a few members of this class are asked to present an essay that they have written by reading it out loud to their classmates. Following the reading, the room is open for discussion. The author normally sits in silence, listening to the reactions of the students, regarding his or her paper. Now you are able to see the flicker of anticipation cross over the author's eyes as the awaiting criticism begins to flow.

    Although the classroom is silent at first, the professor is able to spark discussion through several vague questions such as "What could be improved upon?" and "What did you enjoy?" And so it begins. As an outsider, I suggest that you watch the facial expressions of the students as feedback is given. As the semester has progressed, many of them have learned what kind of feedback to expect from each of their classmates. When some students speak, the author listens attentively, as does the rest of the class. However, every once in a while you can see a smirk and someone rolling their eyes, holding back a disgusted comment concerning the student who is speaking. Usually, this is not because of the author's writing; it is because of the feedback being given. And so you see firsthand the effect of the right and wrong ways to give feedback. The students which received the disgusted glares have one fault that they cannot seem to overcome. Although they have the ability to give feedback as everyone does, they do not understand the correct way of going about it.

    An important thing to realize is that it is often easier to find the negative aspects of a paper. However, if you begin with these negative comments, as these students have done, the author will get defensive and shut you off completely. This prevents them from hearing the good suggestions that will be made. With the kind of atmosphere created in College Writing, it is imperative to give positive feedback at the very beginning. After all, there must be something that you enjoyed while reading the paper, even if it was only the way that it was titled. You will find that people respond more to your advice and listen to you if you do this. If the author feels that you enjoy the paper that they have worked hard on, it will be easier for them to understand what improvements need to be made in order to make their paper even better. Something that everyone should do before giving feedback is read the paper more than once or twice. If you read the paper only once, you could miss many of its' positive qualities. Reading the work multiple times also gives you more time to consider what you want to say, and how you wish to phrase your comments. For example, if a particular part of the paper confuses you, reading it again may allow you to understand what the author is attempting to accomplish. When you have this understanding, it may be easier to say something positive before suggesting improvements or saying flat out that the paper was confusing. If you are unsure where to start, a good example may be: "I understand where you are coming from here, and I think that you are making a valid point, but maybe you could . . . " and then finish with your suggestions, concluding with something else that you enjoyed about the paper. In doing this you allow the author to feel more comfortable with your later suggestions.

    Almost as important as your actual words, is your body language. Consider facial expressions as an example. If you never look directly at the author or have a facial expression that suggests that you did not care for the work or that you think the author is a moron, even positive verbal feedback may be ignored. As you begin to speak, look at the author and smile. You have just allowed the author to breathe freely, and get rid of some nervous jitters. If they smile back, that's even better! Along with eye contact and facial expressions is the actual position of your body, Sit up straight in your chair and try to look interested in the paper that you are criticizing. Avoid playing with your hair or stroking your chin; anything distracting can take away from the point that you are trying to make. Have you ever heard the phrase "actions speak louder than words?" Try and utilize this phrase as you give feedback. If you have ever given really good advice or feedback and have gotten a negative response, analyze your body language. If you tell someone that you are very happy, yet you have a scowl on your face and are slumped over, they will probably be inclined to believe that you are not telling the truth. The same thing applies as you are giving feedback, so sit up straight, look interested, make eye contact, and smile. When you combine this with your positive feedback, you will have a very happy author who will be more than willing to listen to your suggestions.

    Everything that you do effects the way a person will listen to you. Once you begin with a negative comment, it is difficult to repair the damage. It is even more difficult for the people that have gone through life not really understanding how to give feedback correctly. However, maybe these people can surprise everyone by learning how to give positive feedback. It is amazing how much a nice comment can mean to someone, especially authors. After all, authors are very sensitive people. They have worked hard on creating their paper, and generally do not like to hear negative things about it. However, when you phrase your comments just right and create a positive atmosphere, you will be surprised at the difference. So as you move on to read another essay or go meet a friend consider the power of your words. And if your friend really has no chance in dating that girl, find a better way to say that than laughing in his face.

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