Feedback Considerations

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Ideally, feedback provides us a clear understanding of what we have done well, what may need additional attention, and what could be missing from our speeches. Crafting feedback is a skill we all need to master in order to ensure that our peers reach their potential as effective communicators.

When providing feedback, it is a good idea to approach the review in two areas: the message content and the message delivery. Listeners may look for different things in the message, and both areas should be considered. You may want to ask yourself questions like:

Could a listener understand the purpose of the message?
Would a listener be able to understand how the message is organized?
Would the listener be able to see how the visuals support the presentation? (Note for this assignment no visual aid is required. The goal is to understand what you would generally include when providing feedback)
Did the speaker use effective delivery and non-verbal communication skills?
What do you think could make the persuasive message more effective?

Strategies for Writing Feedback

When reviewing a speech video and providing feedback on it, ask yourself whether your peer would know exactly what to do to make improvements. When writing feedback, try to be as clear and concise as you can. Additional strategies to use include:

**Strategies for Providing Good Feedback**
Constructive	Identify real ways in which the speech can be improved. Focus on the message content elements and delivery elements.
Specific	Include specific places in the speech where issues occurred. Offer concrete examples for needed changes.
Sensitive	Avoid negative language. Keep recommendations and comments on a positive note.
Balanced	Point out strengths as well as weaknesses.