Feedback Strategies: Mirror
In the article Be a Mirror, it discusses how constructive feedback needs to be like a mirror. Mirrors show what is already there, they do not provide judgement. A mirror does not make the reflection about itself, it is completely about what it s reflecting. We can do that by not putting I statements in feedback; feedback needs to be completely about the work. It does not show what is not there. We should not emphasize what they did not do, but highlight what they did do. This way of thinking is very constructive, because it does no center itself around the critics approval or opinion, it attempts to focus solely on the work and the artists progress.
A large goal of mirroring is to provide feedback that can be transferred to other subjects or projects. Feedback should be based around learning and growing, not making each project perfect.
In the article How to Craft Constructive Feedback talks about how there are often needs for different kinds of feedback. Is the work solely about self expression or is it meant to entertain and/or speak to an audience? If the work is about self expression then it was not made for the critic. In that case it is beneficial to either be a witness or be a mirror. Being a witness is letting the artist share a piece of themselves with them. This involves a certain amount of trust. Being a mirror is tricky. It should still focus on the work, and should discuss the critic's impression of the work, not their opinion. Mirroring should discuss what is observed, not what is missing.
If the work is meant to entertain, then you need to observe respectfully, describe what stood out to you, and suggest how the creator might revise. This is not an invitation for the critic to redo the work. The goal is to be helpful, to give the artist things to think about. The person giving feedback is not a teacher; they should not instruct, they should suggest.
Feedback is really helpful. I normally send things that I have written to 3 other people to revise before I submit them. When giving feedback, I try to be as constructive as possible.
A Reflective Mirror, by Sergej Medvedev Source: Wikimedia Commons
A large goal of mirroring is to provide feedback that can be transferred to other subjects or projects. Feedback should be based around learning and growing, not making each project perfect.
In the article How to Craft Constructive Feedback talks about how there are often needs for different kinds of feedback. Is the work solely about self expression or is it meant to entertain and/or speak to an audience? If the work is about self expression then it was not made for the critic. In that case it is beneficial to either be a witness or be a mirror. Being a witness is letting the artist share a piece of themselves with them. This involves a certain amount of trust. Being a mirror is tricky. It should still focus on the work, and should discuss the critic's impression of the work, not their opinion. Mirroring should discuss what is observed, not what is missing.
If the work is meant to entertain, then you need to observe respectfully, describe what stood out to you, and suggest how the creator might revise. This is not an invitation for the critic to redo the work. The goal is to be helpful, to give the artist things to think about. The person giving feedback is not a teacher; they should not instruct, they should suggest.
Feedback is really helpful. I normally send things that I have written to 3 other people to revise before I submit them. When giving feedback, I try to be as constructive as possible.
A Reflective Mirror, by Sergej Medvedev Source: Wikimedia Commons
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