Very often at this time of year students receive feedback on what they have written, and can be puzzled by what some of the comments mean. Here are some of the most common feedback phrases, and what they mean.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This is very common, and suggests that you have done too much description, and have not gone into enough depth about what it actually means. For example, you might have done a lot of reading, but just written out what the various texts books say, without examining what the strengths and weaknesses of the different writers are. Or maybe you have described the reasons for something, without addressing alternative explanations and why they are flawed. Of course, you need to describe, to show that you have understood the facts, but you also need to analyse, to show you understand what these facts do, and do not, mean.<\/p>\n
This is another common criticism. \u00a0It is used because students' work is difficult to follow, and their writing seems to jump from one idea to another. To avoid this, always make sure that you plan your essay and look at the organisation with a very detached eye. Does it make sense? Do the ideas flow? Also, make sure that you use words and phrases like \u201canother argument in support of... is\u2026\u201d To show your reader what you are doing, and where your essay is going.<\/p>\n
Correct grammar matters at university. Make sure that you understand the rules for punctuation, especially commas and apostrophes -\u00a0this blog on punctuation should help<\/a>. Find out what \u201crun on sentences\u201d and \u201cdangling participles\u201d are, to ensure that you avoid them. Proof read your work carefully before you submit it.<\/p>\n This criticism may have two meanings; the first is connected to plagiarism (copying the words of others and pretending they are your own), and the tutor may be highlighting poor paraphrasing and summarising skills. The second (and more likely meaning) is that you haven't used your sources logically and creatively to build your own argument, thesis or position in your assignment. You have simply listed, summarised, described or presented evidence, similar or different expert views, \u00a0data and so on, without combining them in such ways as to create a convincing argument and drive your thesis forward. In other words, your own academic voice is being drowned out by a mish-mash of other academic voices that don't seem to be working together without a clear logical purpose.<\/p>\n And finally, remember that all feedback is constructive, even the most critical! Take your tutor's advice and use it to build on your academic skills and improve your next assignment.<\/p>\n More information on understanding and using feedback on your assignments is available in our Feedback guide<\/a> and Engaging with feedback self-access resource<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Very often at this time of year students receive feedback on what they have written, and can be puzzled by what some of the comments mean. Here are some of the most common feedback phrases, and what they mean.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[91,90,14,56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-skills","category-academic-writing","category-essay-writing","category-feedback"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2019\/04\/board-3700116_1920.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2020\/10\/02\/understanding-instruction-words-in-academic-essay-titles\/","url_meta":{"origin":283,"position":0},"title":"Understanding instruction words in academic essay titles","author":"Tom Reid","date":"October 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Instruction or command words indicate what your tutor wants you to do in your written assignment. It's vital that you understand exactly what these instruction words mean so you can answer all parts of the essay question and provide a complete response. Here's a list of some of the most\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Essay writing"","block_context":{"text":"Essay writing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/essay-writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2018\/09\/wind-rose-1209398_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":764,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2022\/03\/02\/moving-on-from-disappointing-results\/","url_meta":{"origin":283,"position":1},"title":"Moving on from disappointing results","author":"Alexandra Paramour","date":"March 2, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Didn\u2019t get the exam results you wanted? 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However, we can all improve, and the main way we do this is through responding to feedback. Feedback is information about what you did well and what you still need to improve on. It can be written or spoken and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Academic skills"","block_context":{"text":"Academic skills","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-4.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-4.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-4.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2025\/02\/Blog-post-images-4.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":897,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2022\/10\/19\/give-yourself-a-writing-workout\/","url_meta":{"origin":283,"position":3},"title":"Give yourself a writing workout","author":"Kerry Vevers","date":"October 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Here\u2019s an overview of what the Skills Centre\u2019s 1:1 writing support service offers and how it can help you to get the best possible grades for your assignments. \u201cAcademic writing is at the heart of all scholarly activity. During your studies, you will be required to complete a range of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Academic writing"","block_context":{"text":"Academic writing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/academic-writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Student and tutor taking part in a 1:1 writing tutorial.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2022\/10\/writing1-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2022\/10\/writing1-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2022\/10\/writing1-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2022\/10\/writing1-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":127,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2026\/04\/22\/writing-an-abstract-a-six-point-checklist-with-samples\/","url_meta":{"origin":283,"position":4},"title":"Writing an abstract - a six point checklist (with samples)","author":"Tom Reid","date":"April 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The abstract is a vital part of any research paper and the first stop for your reader. It is the shop front for your work, and the first stop for your reader. It should provide a clear and succinct summary of your study, and encourage your readers to read more.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Academic writing"","block_context":{"text":"Academic writing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/academic-writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A tree with leaves featuring names of different dissertation topics. 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A well-structured dissertation should be enjoyable to read. It should be logical and coherent, and your argument or line of reasoning should be convincing and easy to follow. Of course, this is easier said than done, so\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Academic writing"","block_context":{"text":"Academic writing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/category\/academic-skills\/academic-writing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A tree with leaves featuring names of different dissertation topics. 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