How to use your assessment feedback

Audio or video

Sometimes tutors will give feedback through a video or audio recording uploaded to Blackboard.

Listen carefully to this and note any points for improvement. As with other types of assessment feedback, if you don’t understand some of the comments, ask the marker for help.

Employers – if on placement

If you are on a work placement, your employer will assign you a supervisor and/or mentor who will give you feedback on your work on a regular basis. Feedback may be written, but will also often be verbal. If there is anything you don’t understand they will expect you to ask.

Peers

Fellow students provide feedback, for example on a group project to determine the contribution by all group members. The process may be formalised through a marking sheet completed by all students and which contributes to the overall mark for the assessment.

Written – essays, reports, case studies, portfolios

Written feedback usually comes as a completed feedback or summary sheet and there may also be comments written on the assignment itself. If you don’t understand what the comments mean, ask the marker, module leader or your Academic Personal Tutor.

Verbal

Verbal feedback may be given in one-to-one meetings with your tutor or Academic Personal Tutor, group feedback following an assignment, or feedback to small tutorial groups. Verbal feedback may also be given by your fellow students, or by your mentor or supervisor while on placement.

You will also get verbal feedback during seminars and tutorials. For example if you are working on a group project your tutor may ask questions about your approach or findings, which will encourage you to reflect on what you have learnt so far and next steps.

Take a note, keep a diary, or record a voice memo so that you don’t forget what has been said and so it can be used for your next assignment or exam revision.

Example of comments:

Although you have described the two main theories well, the question asked you to 'compare and contrast' them, meaning that you needed to draw out the similarities and differences, and then go on to discuss the significance of these.

Check your understanding of words often used in essay titles. This is also part of the 'How to plan and structure your writing' workbook. We also run a 'How to plan and structure your writing' workshop.

View study skills events

Example of comments: 

You have developed your argument and supported it with evidence from your reading. Now you must assess this evidence and present your comments in a conclusion at the end of the assignment.

Try our How to write critically workbook and the How to improve your work before submitting workbook. You could attend the 'How to read and take notes' workshop and 'How to get started with critical writing' workshop.

View study skills events

Example of comments:

You have made some good points, but haven't supported your arguments with sufficient evidence.
Action: Make sure that you support your points by referring to relevant literature, and include full details in your reference list.

The study skills section offers help and guidance on academic writing, and finding and evaluating information. Try our How to write critically and How to improve your work before submitting workbooks.

Take a look at our guidance on referencing your information sources. For help with specific database searching, use the Ask a Librarian chat service.

Example of comments:

Your essay needs a clearer structure

The study skills section offers help and guidance on academic writing and how to structure your assignments. In particular the following workbooks are recommended.:

• How to make notes and read effectively
• How to plan and structure your writing

Essay structure is also part of the 'How to plan and structure your writing' workshop. An assignment planner is a useful tool to help plan your work.

Example of comments:

You have obviously read widely and given a list of your references. However, you need to be consistent and use the UWE Bristol Harvard system of referencing accurately.

Don't worry - we provide lots of help on how to reference correctly. Guidance for UWE Bristol Harvard and the University's prescribed styles is available in our referencing support section.

There are regular scheduled workshops on 'how to reference and avoid plagiarism' which covers the main principles you need to cite and reference sources in your work. You can also access the how to reference and avoid plagiarism online workbook to improve your skills in this area.

Example of comments:

You have written a good introduction, followed by an argument, and added a conclusion, but need to work on your use of paragraphs.

The Library's how to plan and structure your writing workbook has a section on paragraphing. This is also part of the 'How to plan and structure your writing' workshop in your campus library.