For tutors
5 Steps to Give Constructive Feedback
This
article is part of the MCKL Alumni Mentoring 101
Series collaboration. Read the full article here.
Giving feedback is one of the most important aspects of mentoring or tutoring. It builds trust and creates a space
where both growth and learning can thrive. When done well, constructive feedback helps students understand their
progress, identify areas for improvement, and build the confidence they need to keep moving forward—without
discouraging your mentee in the process. The key is to focus on development, not perfection.
Here are five steps to give constructive feedback without discouraging your mentee:
1. Start with strengths
Always begin by acknowledging what’s going well. Recognising a student’s effort or improvement—even in small
ways—creates a positive tone and shows that you’re attentive and supportive.
"Your introduction does a great job of setting up the topic, and I can see you’ve thought about the structure. Now
let’s make sure your argument follows through in the next section.”
Why this works: This approach helps the student feel valued and more receptive to
suggestions.
2. Be specific and actionable
General statements like "You need to do better” can feel discouraging and unhelpful. Instead, pinpoint the issue
clearly and offer a concrete way to improve:
"This sentence is a little unclear. Try breaking it into two shorter ones to help the reader follow your argument
more easily.”
Why this works: Feedback should leave the student knowing exactly what to work on—and
how.
3. Use growth-oriented language
Feedback should guide, not judge. Replace evaluative or negative phrases with language that invites exploration and
signals that improvement is possible:
"You’ve made a good attempt at this question. Let’s look together at where the logic breaks down so you can approach
it differently next time.”
Why this works: This shifts the tone from correction to collaboration and reminds the student that
learning is a
process.
4. Ask reflective questions
Encourage students to think about their own work critically by posing open-ended, non-threatening questions:
"What do you think worked best in this essay?”
"Where do you feel less confident?”
"How would you explain this concept to someone else?”
Why this works: These questions prompt self-awareness and build ownership of the learning
journey.
5. Revisit goals and celebrate progress
Make a point of following up on areas previously discussed and recognising improvement when it happens—even small
steps. For example:
"Last session, we focused on writing clearer topic sentences. This paragraph shows you’ve really taken that on
board—great job!”
Why this works: Celebrating progress reinforces motivation and lets students see that their hard
work is paying off.
Effective feedback is more than pointing out what’s wrong—it’s about guiding students to what’s next. By being
encouraging, precise, and student-centered, mentors and tutors can create a space where feedback fuels learning, not
anxiety.
Disclamer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the
author and do not necessarily reflect our views or position as an entity. Readers are
encouraged to conduct their own research and fact-check the information presented for more
details and a deeper understanding.
