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TRANSCRIPT: When you receive feedback—whether it’s a full written comment, verbal advice, or even just a symbol like a question mark—it can be easy to wonder: Why am I being told this? What’s the point? Sometimes the purpose of feedback is obvious. But often, it’s not. And if we don’t understand what the feedback is for, it becomes much harder to use it well.
Most feedback doesn’t come with a detailed explanation of what to do next. Instead, it relies on you to make inferences—to do a bit of detective work. That means asking: What was the intention behind this comment? Not just what it says on the surface, but what the assessor might be trying to highlight, even if they haven’t spelled it out.
Consider a comment such as “this doesn’t make sense.” That comment might feel vague or harsh. But ask yourself: are they pointing to a confusing sentence? An unclear idea? Could they be signalling a need for better explanation, clearer structure, or more proofreading? In that single comment, there might be several useful prompts—if you look for them.
Sometimes feedback might be as minimal as checkmarks and crosses on a test. That might not feel like feedback at all—but it can still help you identify the kinds of questions you got right or wrong, which can help you figure out where to focus your efforts next.
Likewise, a question mark written in the margin of your work can be informative feedback. Yes, it’s frustrating when its intended meaning isn’t spelled out. But that mark is probably pointing you to something that seems unclear or incomplete. It’s an invitation for you to revisit that section and ask: Why might this have caused confusion? The same goes for more positive comments too. If you’re told something “works well,” that’s not just praise. It’s probably pointing to a strength the assessor wants you to build on or repeat in future tasks.
Overall, the key is this: don’t just react to how feedback feels. Try to ask what it’s for. By approaching feedback this way—as something to interpret, not just receive—you can make it more actionable, more relevant, and more useful.
Practice Activity
Practice Activity
