Across the Drafts

* Nancy Sommers' article, "Across the Drafts," argues that a partnership between the student and teacher can be the best setting for influential feedback. In what ways can this partnership be beneficial to the editing process? *

One of the most important parts of giving adequate feedback is to provide an honest critique that is paired with sufficient instruction. This means that the instructor is responsible for providing the student with a legitimate critique of their work, but then also providing them with actual instruction on how to improve their ideas or errors. An instructor should not just tell the student what they have done wrong, but should offer an explanation of how the student can improve their work for the next draft, of for future assignments. After all, the whole purpose of providing feedback for students is to help them see what they did well, what they need to improve and also how they can improve. When implemented in this manner, constructive criticism can be very beneficial for students. The students also have an important role in this process. They must learn how to receive criticism and to then put the advice into effect in future assignments. Students must not view their instructor's comments as personal attacks, but as enlightening knowledge that they can carry on into their next assignment and other courses as well.