Assignments: Use your feedback
Published on 10 November 16
Getting your marks back from an essay can be both amazing and demoralising - occasionally both! But don't just focus on your mark. You can get a lot of really useful information from your assignment feedback that will help you improve when it comes to write your next assignment or exam.
"Written feedback should always explain where a student has failed to demonstrate learning and understanding, or where that understanding appears to be weak or confused. It should correct any confusion and explain how learning and understanding could have been demonstrated more clearly."
- Dr Kieron Flanagan, a Science and Technology Policy lecturer.
Don't just focus on the mark you've been given
The mark alone can't tell you how well or badly you did, make sure you take in all the comments as they can help you improve in the future.
"Good feedback isn't necessarily feedback that tells you that you're good. Read what's been written on your assignment - don't just look at the mark you've been given. The feedback is designed to instruct you on how to improve your grade, not just to tell you what you did wrong."
- Dr Anna Goatman, Lecturer in Manchester Business School.
Ask questions and get answers
If you are feeling disheartened then why not go to an office hour? Here you can discuss the essay and find out how to improve your grades - often face-to-face chats can help to clarify your mistakes.
"Take advantage of feedback sessions, or meet with your academic tutors. If there is something that goes above what you've been given on a feedback, such as feedback sessions with your lecturers, then take advantage of this and take some ownership of your results, they can be improved by doing something about them. While meeting with academic tutors to discuss a disappointing grade might be daunting, it could be the most useful conversation you'll have at University."
- Dr Anna Goatman, Lecturer in Manchester Business School.
What to look for in feedback
Most assessment of essays, projects, and other forms of coursework such as the written evidence for presentations is assessed on the basis of:
- The structure and argument of your work
- The way it reflects a general knowledge of the field and specific knowledge of the topic
- The use of sources, both primary and secondary.
It is also important to remember that your feedback isn't just the comments you get on your essay. Comments your teachers give you in class or during office hours are also really important - so remember where they said you can improve and then do it!
"Students should bear in mind that they need to consider multiple sources of feedback together: not just individual written feedback on their coursework but also general written or oral feedback provided to the class as a whole (which might expand on common problems and should spell out what the examiner was looking for in the assignment)."
- Dr Kieron Flanagan
Paying attention to the particulars
Your first real piece of academic writing is supposed to be challenging, for first years unfamiliar with referencing, the library has resources available to help you search for the right kinds of literature, and how to cite it properly. It will also help third years to fine-tune any skills they are not so fresh on and will give you advice on how to cite resources quickly and easily.
What to do next time
Make a list of what you can improve on from your feedback to ensure that you make these improvements during your next assignment.
"Analyse their processes, what could they have done differently to avoid getting it 'wrong' and/or to achieve more? More effort? More reading? More care? Or more preparation?"
- Dr John Latham, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science.
Don't panic
When you look at your classmates marks it can be very disheartening but you need to remember that The University of Manchester is one of the best institutions in the country and that you are surrounded by equally intelligent students.
"By definition, half of our first years fall from `top' of the class to below average when they come to university. That can be demoralising, but if they really are trying their best they should be pleased with their progress."
- Dr John Latham, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science.
Help with written English
If you are an international student and have received feedback instructing you to get help with your written English then you are able to attend in-sessional academic writing sessions at the University Language Centre, and one-to-one sessions where you will be find help with your academic writing. Please visit the website or email insessional@manchester.ac.uk.