How to Give Writing Feedback Like a Pro

While a book might begin as a solo adventure, the truth is that great writing is shaped by feedback and many rounds of revision. 

That said, not all feedback is created equal. Quality constructive feedback highlights specific issues and offers helpful solutions, whereas destructive criticism personally attacks the writer.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to deliver the former, so that you can be sure you’re providing constructive writing feedback that genuinely helps writers improve — and keeps their creative spirit alive. Let’s start with the first step: figuring out what the writer needs from you.

1. Understand the writer’s goals

Every writer approaches a blank page with a unique voice, vision, and goal. Therefore, before you dive into your critique, you should first establish an understanding of what feedback your writer wants. For instance, is your writer looking for…

• Big-picture feedback on central ideas, plot, character arcs, or structure? 
• A critique of their prose? 
• A second pair of eyes to scan for typos?

No matter the case, don’t go in blind. Start by asking the right questions — “Where are you in the revision process — first draft or polished draft?” and “Do you want me to focus on anything specific?” Such questions can let you tailor your feedback to exactly what the writer needs, making your advice helpful, focused, and on-track. 

⭐ Pro-tip: It’s equally wise to keep the writer’s experience level in mind. A novelist getting ready to publish might require entirely different guidance than a new writer tentatively sharing their first short story. Considering this additional element in your feedback not only shows respect, but also ensures that you steer the writer in the right direction. 

Now that you’ve got a handle on the writer’s needs, it’s time to roll your sleeves up and get down to the nitty-gritty: providing specific, actionable feedback.

2. Get specific with your feedback

A general comment like “I didn’t connect with the character” might seem fine at face value, but it’s not going to help any writer improve. Specific feedback, on the other hand, is a game-changer — it gives writers a clear direction for revision. 

With that in mind, be precise when pointing out where improvements can be made. Rather than just saying that something “feels off,” diagnose the issue, like so:

❌ “The dialogue feels off.”

✅ “In the scene on page 12, Sarah’s dialogue comes off more formal than it should. It’s not quite in sync with the tone of her dialogue that you established earlier.”

By providing the writer with even a few specific sentences, they suddenly have a much more concrete idea of what to focus on in their editing process. 

Keep your feedback targeted

No matter the level of experience a writer has, giving feedback on all the 1,000,000 ways you think they could improve their work can make them feel like they’re drowning in a sea of suggestions. 

To avoid marooning your writer in such chaos, try breaking your feedback down into clear, manageable categories. First, assess the type of feedback they require, then consider the smaller elements involved: 

Now that you know what to deliver in your feedback, let’s take a look at how to convey it.

3. Lead with the strengths

When it comes to feedback, Stephen King once said:

“[You should] take your story through at least two drafts; the one you do with the study door closed and the one you do with it open.”

Now, that “open door” that King mentions is a precious thing for writers. When you’re one of the first readers to walk through it, you have a responsibility to approach with care. No author likes to hear only the negatives — especially when they’ve dedicated hours of hard work to writing the blasted thing!

So, to make sure that your feedback is both constructive and motivational, consider using the classic “slug sandwich method.”  

The "slug sandwich method," refined

The “slug sandwich method” remains one of the most effective approaches to delivering useful feedback. To build this rather unusual dish, first take your juicy, yet hard to swallow, constructive criticism (the ‘slug’), and nestle it between two warm, toasty pieces of praise (the ‘bread’). 

In a less formal setting a more…colorful word replaces 'slug.' But for the purposes of this article, I’ll stick to using this classroom-friendly version. Here’s how to serve it up just right:

1. 🙏 Start with praise: Take the time to highlight something the writer does well and further, explain why it works.
2. ⚒️ Move to constructive feedback: Draw their attention to areas that could use improvement and, more importantly, suggest a couple of ways that the writer can address them.
3. ⭐ End on a high note: Finish with more encouragement to reiterate the writer’s strengths and offer support as they revise.

Here’s an example of our ‘slug sandwich’ in action, using the classic fable, Cinderella: 

🙏 I enjoyed how you showed the complex family dynamics between Cinderella and her step-mother and mean step-sisters — this rang true of an adjustment phase that often does happen in blended families. I was hooked immediately!

 

⚒️ The fairy godmother could read a little to good to be true for some, as though she makes success a little too certain or easy for Cinderella. Is there perhaps a further challenge Cinderella could face where the godmother is unable to assist her, something that truly tests her and she has to stand alone and 'figure it out' for herself?

 

⭐ Overall, you have a real talent for vivid, sensory writing. I’m excited to see how you tweak this scene — once the pacing matches the strength of your descriptions, it’s going to be even more gripping!

To avoid making your "sandwich" feedback feel formulaic or artificial, be detailed and thoughtful. If you do so, then you'll succeed in creating a supportive environment where the writer feels more confident in their ability to improve: they know they’re not starting from scratch, but building on what’s already strong in their writing. 

4. Maintain a collaborative tone

As I mentioned earlier, the delivery of feedback matters just as much as its content. Even the most useful critique can fall flat if you’re rude about it. It's important to remember that you’re not just critiquing words on a page — you’re evaluating your writer’s artistic vision and perhaps some very personal perspectives. 

With that in mind, remember to approach the feedback process with mutual respect and shared purpose, acknowledging that you're both working toward the same goal: creating stronger writing, together. 

Aim to make your feedback:

Respectful but honest: Stay away from language that’s overly apologetic or harsh. Instead, deliver observations that are clear of judgement: 

❌ "This character is so unrealistic! Nobody would ever behave like that in real life."

✅ "The way this character reacts in this scene feels inconsistent with how they've behaved in the previous one."

Inquisitive rather than accusatory: Rather than making dramatic declarations, frame your concerns as questions or observations:

❌ "You should be cut this scene.”

✅  "I wonder if this scene is necessary to the plot?"

Specific without being picky: The last thing you want your feedback to do is nitpick. To avoid a negative or condescending tone, offer specific examples where small changes could make a big difference — rather than listing things you don’t like:

❌  "You clearly don't understand how POV works."

✅   "This paragraph contains several instances where the POV shifts unexpectedly. Just a heads up to keep an eye on head-hopping!" 

Whatever feedback you give, your suggestions should be framed in a way that invites dialogue, such as “What if we tried...” or “This might be more effective if...”. 

And speaking of suggestions… 

5. Suggest, don’t rewrite

One of the trickiest parts of giving feedback is striking the right balance between being helpful and taking over. When you come across a passage that could be stronger, you may be tempted to swoop in and rewrite it yourself. However, doing so robs the writer of arguably the greatest benefit of feedback: growth. 

Consider the difference between the following approaches, for instance:  

❌ Rewriting: "Change this sentence to: 'Adam’s pulse quickened as he stepped further towards the door, his fingers shaking in the dim hallway light.’"

✅ Suggesting: "This moment might benefit from showing Adam’s fear, instead of just saying it. Consider incorporating some more of Adam’s physical sensations to make that tension more visceral?"

Where the first approach effectively hijacks the writers’ creative process, the second gives them the creative freedom to find their own solutions and still benefit from your guidance. 

As a critique partner, your role is to help writers craft better versions of their stories, not  transform them into something else entirely. Rewriting is a job that belongs solely to the writer. Of course, there is always a place for specific language suggestions — particularly for technical issues, or when specifically requested! But you should offer them as options only, not mandates. 

6. Critique the work, not the writer

Finally, at the heart of great feedback lies this golden rule: critique the work, not the writer. Take this example:

❌ "Your dialogue is always so stiff."

✅  "The dialogue in this scene could flow more naturally." 

The former may make the writer feel personally victimized, whereas the latter directs attention to places where revision is actually possible. The difference isn't just a matter of wording— it fundamentally changes how feedback is received. When the critique feels more like an opportunity than an attack, the writer is far more likely to take it onboard. 

Good feedback also takes practice

The ability to give thoughtful, constructive feedback is a skill — and like any skill, getting better takes practice. Online writing communities offer perfect environments to sharpen your critiquing chops. 

For example, Reedsy Prompts is a place where you can give fellow writers constructive feedback on submissions to the weekly short story competition. All feedback is shared within a supportive community of writers, where active participation provides opportunities to:

• Develop your own critical reading skills
• Gain perspective on common writing challenges and techniques
• Establish credibility that makes others more likely to critique your work carefully
• Contribute to a larger culture of collaborative growth in the writing community

When engaging in these spaces, keep that collaborative mindset we discussed earlier front and center. Written communication can sometimes come across more harshly than intended, so always aim for empathy and clarity, and review your comments before hitting send. 

Overall, great feedback is the secret ingredient that makes good writing great. Whether you’re giving feedback or receiving it, approaching the process with empathy, specificity, and a collaborative mindset will ensure that everyone involved walks away feeling motivated and empowered.

So go ahead — start critiquing, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your own work. With the right approach, feedback can become a rewarding part of the writing journey, helping you and others grow as writers.