Writing/Requesting Feedback

To gain constructive feedback on creative work, writers, artists and other creative people can make specific requests that focus reviewers’ attention on the most helpful aspects of the work.

It is important to be clear about the specific types of feedback you seek and what you don’t want.

Be specific about your reasons for requesting feedback, what you’re asking for, and what you hope to learn from it. Express genuine gratitude for the reviewer’s time and consideration.

• Directly ask for feedback: "I'd love to hear your thoughts on this piece."
• Be open to criticism: "Please be honest with your feedback, even if it's critical."
• Show appreciation: "Thank you for taking the time to review this."

Here are some effective ways to ask for feedback:

1. Ask for Feedback on Clarity: "Do the main ideas and themes come across clearly? Are there any points where you felt lost or confused?" This helps identify areas that may need clarification or better explanation.

2. Request Emotional Response: "How did this section make you feel? Did it create the mood or emotion I was aiming for?" Understanding emotional impact can reveal if the tone and mood are aligned with the creator's intentions.

3. Inquire About Engagement: "Did this part hold your attention? Were there any places where your interest waned?" This feedback can show where the work is most engaging or if certain sections need pacing adjustments.

4. Focus on Character or Idea Development: "Do the characters (or ideas) feel believable and well-developed? Are their motivations clear and relatable?" This is especially useful for writers who want to ensure their creations are compelling and realistic.

5. Ask for Input on Structure and Flow: "Does the sequence of events or ideas make sense? Do any transitions feel jarring or out of place?" This feedback can be invaluable for creating a smooth narrative or argument.

6. Request Suggestions for Improvement: "Is there anything you’d suggest to improve the piece, either big or small?" This opens the door for specific, actionable ideas that the creator might not have considered.

7. Encourage Open-Ended Responses: "What was your overall impression of the work? Did anything surprise or particularly stand out to you?" These general questions often reveal insights that the creator may not have anticipated.

8. Seek Feedback on Originality and Voice: "Does this feel distinct or original to you? How would you describe the voice or style of the piece?" This can help the creator understand if their unique style or intended voice is coming through and whether it feels fresh or familiar to readers.

9. Probe for Theme Resonance: "Did the central theme or message resonate with you? Did it feel relevant or impactful?" Asking about themes and messages helps ensure that the deeper layers of the work connect with the audience as intended.

10. Request Specific Examples: "Could you point out any specific lines, scenes, or sections that stood out to you—positively or negatively?" This allows the creator to focus on parts of the work that may need refinement or that are particularly effective.

11. Ask About Pacing and Rhythm: "Did the pacing feel right throughout? Were there any moments that felt too slow or rushed?" This is especially useful for creative works that rely on rhythm and timing, as the feedback can guide adjustments to keep readers or viewers fully engaged.

12. Inquire About Relatability or Accessibility: "Did you feel you could relate to the work or understand its concepts? Was anything overly complex or too simple?" This helps gauge if the work is accessible to the intended audience or if adjustments are needed to make it resonate more widely.

13. Request Feedback on Visual or Descriptive Elements: "Did the visuals or descriptions help you picture the setting, character, or action? Were any parts hard to imagine?" For works heavy in imagery, this feedback can reveal whether descriptions need enhancing or simplifying.

14. Ask for Honest Reactions to Unusual Choices: "What did you think of [specific creative choice, e.g., an unconventional plot twist, experimental language, or unique structure]? Did it enhance or detract from your experience?" This helps the creator gauge whether their bold choices serve the story or require refining.

15. Check for Consistency in Tone: "Does the tone stay consistent throughout the work, or are there any shifts that felt unexpected?" Consistency in tone is crucial for immersion, and feedback here can guide creators in balancing mood shifts or keeping a steady narrative voice.

16. Encourage Constructive Criticism with Praise and Suggestions: "What did you like best, and what could use some work?" This approach invites balanced feedback, helping the creator know what’s already working well and where they could focus improvements.

17. Seek Insight into Ending or Closure: "Did the ending feel satisfying? Did it resolve everything you expected, or did it leave you wanting more?" For works with a narrative arc, feedback on the ending is essential to ensure the conclusion feels rewarding or leaves an intended impact.

By using these specific, targeted requests, creators can guide their colleagues to offer feedback that is precise, actionable, and relevant to their goals. This structured approach not only helps the creator understand areas for improvement but also fosters a constructive environment where reviewers feel encouraged to engage thoughtfully and supportively.

Non-fiction works

When seeking feedback on non-fiction works, it’s essential to address aspects such as accuracy, argument clarity, structure, and relevance. Here are specific feedback requests that can be particularly helpful for non-fiction:

1. Ask for Clarity and Accuracy: "Did you find all the information clear and accurate? Were there any parts that seemed confusing or questionable?" This feedback helps ensure the content is factual, coherent, and credible.

2. Probe for Strength of Argument or Thesis: "Does the central argument come across clearly and compellingly? Are there any weak points that could use stronger support?" This helps authors refine their thesis and ensure their argument is solid and well-supported.

3. Request Feedback on Structure and Flow: "Does the organization of ideas make sense? Are there any sections that felt out of place or could be reordered for better clarity?" Non-fiction works need a logical flow, so feedback on structure is crucial to ensure a smooth reading experience.

4. Inquire About Evidence and Support: "Are the examples and evidence provided effective and convincing? Is there any point that could benefit from additional support or sources?" Ensuring that claims are backed by solid evidence is vital for building credibility and persuasiveness.

5. Ask About Relevance and Engagement: "Does the content feel relevant and engaging? Are there any sections that felt less interesting or necessary?" This can reveal areas where the work might need to be more tightly focused or better tailored to the audience’s interests.

6. Seek Feedback on Tone and Voice: "Does the tone feel appropriate for the subject and audience? Are there any places where the tone feels too formal, too casual, or inconsistent?" Tone is critical in non-fiction, as it affects how readers perceive authority and approachability.

7. Request Insights on Use of Data and Statistics: "Are the data and statistics used effectively? Are they easy to understand, and do they strengthen the argument?" Feedback here helps ensure that numerical evidence is both accessible and compelling.

8. Ask About the Depth of Research and Analysis: "Does the work provide sufficient depth on the topic? Are there any areas that feel under-researched or overly detailed?" This can help the author calibrate the level of detail to match reader expectations and maintain engagement.

9. Inquire About Practical Application: "Does the work provide actionable insights or practical takeaways? Are there areas where this could be improved?" For non-fiction that aims to inform or guide, this feedback ensures readers find the work useful and applicable.

10. Seek Feedback on Clarity of Language and Jargon: "Is the language accessible? Were there any terms or jargon that needed further explanation?" This feedback is essential for making sure the work is understandable, especially if it covers technical or specialized topics.

11. Ask About Credibility and Author Bias: "Did the work come across as balanced and objective? Was there any apparent bias that detracted from the work’s credibility?" This feedback helps identify unintentional biases and ensures the author’s perspective aligns with an objective, trustworthy voice.

12. Request Feedback on Conclusions and Implications: "Does the conclusion tie everything together effectively? Does it offer meaningful insights or implications based on the discussion?" Strong endings are essential in non-fiction, leaving readers with a sense of resolution and insight.

13. Inquire About the Use of Visuals and Data Presentation: "Are the visuals, charts, and graphs helpful and easy to understand? Is there any data that could benefit from a visual representation?" Visual aids can enhance understanding in non-fiction, so it’s important to know if they are clear and effective.

14. Check for Readability and Accessibility: "Is the language clear and accessible? Were there any sections that felt too dense or complex?" This helps ensure the work is readable for its target audience and prevents readers from feeling overwhelmed by overly complex language.

15. Ask for Big Picture Feedback: "Overall, did the work achieve its intended purpose? Were there any main ideas or takeaways that didn’t resonate as strongly as intended? What, if anything did you learn? Big picture feedback ensures that the work’s primary goals—be it to inform, persuade, or enlighten—are achieved effectively.

These requests tailor feedback to the unique demands of non-fiction, helping authors create work that is accurate, engaging, credible, and ultimately meaningful to readers.

A Covenant

When a writer, artist, or any creative person seeks feedback, they enter into an unspoken covenant with the reviewer—a bond of mutual respect, honesty, and care for the work in question. The artist, by offering their creation for critique, reveals a vulnerable part of themselves, entrusting the reviewer with something deeply personal. In return, the reviewer is bound to approach the work with a spirit of constructive insight, aiming not to tear down but to help elevate. The reviewer’s obligation is to be honest yet gentle, offering feedback that honors the artist's intentions while guiding them toward refinement and growth. This covenant requires the artist to remain open and receptive, to resist defensiveness, and to reflect on the feedback thoughtfully, understanding it as a tool for honing their vision. At its best, this exchange cultivates a relationship where both parties are enriched: the artist gains clarity, and the reviewer deepens their own understanding of the creative process.

External Links

• The Monday memo #47 suggests several additional specific feedback requests.
• How to Give and Receive Feedback About Creative Work.
• How to Get Meaningful Feedback on Your Art.