7 Ways to Deal with Feedback and Become a Better Writer
Paper writing challenges college students to dig deeper, and their professors' feedback should prompt them to strive harder on their next assignment. Are you up for that challenge?
You have written an essay on H.G. Wells's "The Time Machine", and you would draw a comparison to Darren Shan's perilous journey to the Lake of Souls. He didn't have a clue that the trip, where he met an ex-pirate/cannibal, would be time travel of a sort. The wasteland would be the Earth in the near future, and he may be the one who was responsible for this catastrophic outcome. Darren Shan, the author of "The Saga of Darren Shan", may (or may not) have thought of "The Time Machine" prior to writing the draft of his bestselling series, but your professor didn't see it that way. (Your professor is a huge fan of the Terminator franchise instead.) You might have gotten a few extra points for your wide knowledge of literary genres, but you should have done more research on the novel's background. Essay writing would test your ability to figure out what branch of knowledge you must focus on, which would be related to a major theme or two. This is one way of looking into feedback, which is not uncommon among college students. It also applies to the lifespan of whales, which doesn't have to do with "Moby-Dick". If you're ready to know more tips, you must have a notepad beside you.
Questions to Help you Do Better
Do you have a model for your next assignment? You didn't read the question properly if you're thinking of your previous assignment, where you're disappointed at the mark. Modern literature is the genre of the novel that you have discussed about, and the next one had something to do with Victorian literature. Both genres may overlap one another, but both aren’t sub-genres under one (literary) genre. You must dig deeper, which means doing extensive research on British history. If you happen to write an essay on a Joseph Conrad book, you must read about the chain of events in the East Indies or Africa. Imperialism won't be good enough.
Do you keep track of your progress? It's important to take note of what you have done right and what you must improve on. You can't be complacent on where you're good at, as what has worked on your previous assignment won't be right on the next one. Keep in mind that various literary genres cover different topics. It's fine if you don't know it all, as the Internet would guide you along. Don't take long in figuring out a particular topic or two, though.
Have you asked another student on giving feedback? You cringed on this question, as it would make you recall your high school teacher who gave her feedback on a (high school) paper that you have written not too long ago, and she did it in front of your classmates. You were embarrassed during that moment, as you didn't like being compared with other students. You're supposed to be way passed that stage, if not look at that situation differently. You would need feedback more than ever, as you may have missed something. It could also be a point of view that you haven't considered yet.
Have you hosted a one-on-one conference? If your professor haven't initiated it, you must not hesitate to bring it up (and make a request). This is probably the most effective way to deal with any shortcomings that you have made in your previous assignments. You would get a limited time, as you must think about your course mates (who would make the same request). Look at your previous paper(s) and prepare your questions.
Do you use Post-it Notes? You don't need these papers to remind you of deadlines and errands that must be done on a particular day. And it doesn't have to be a quote that you have read from a previous book. It could be pointers, if not tips, on what you must focus on your next assignment. You can't afford to make the same set of mistakes.
Are you aware of what you can't do? The answer to the question doesn't confirm your limitations, but rather reminds you to plan your assignment writing ahead. You should have figured out that you only need to concentrate on one aspect of paper writing, which would maximize a particular ability. It's the same thing on the next one, but it would be another aspect (and ability). You don't have to be overwhelmed, which would happen if you try too hard, attempt to impress your professor or overthink on a particular book. The next (and final) question is related to this one.
How can you do better? If you really want to do better, you must not expect your professor to be sensitive of your feelings all the time unless he (or she) is polite in nature.
Do You Need Genuine Praise?
You may be surprised at some positive feedback, which would show that your professors are part of a huge encouraging team in the university. Don't let it get to your head, such that you become too sure of a positive feedback on your next assignment. Art demands perfection, which many novelists would learn the hard way. You may not be a struggling artist, but you could try harder. Your professors would see your effort while reading your paper.
