Save so much time grading essays!
 
The following list of comments for essay feedback addresses all the common mistakes students make in their writing.
 
Benefits
1) While grading papers, this essay feedback comment bank allows you to write a simple number instead of the whole comment over and over again on multiple students' papers.
2) Students can have an explanation of the error and an example of its correction. This handout of comment codes therefore provides your students with so much more information than you could provide by marking comments on every student's paper.
 
I have broken the list into the following categories of mistakes:
-Formatting/Typing Errors
-MLA
-Syntax
-Citations
-Idea Development (parts of an essay such as analysis, thesis statements, etc.)
-Transitions
-Dialogue
-Grammar
 
Example Comment Codes:
Transitions - The transition chosen does not make sense within this sentence. If expressing agreement, choose an agreeing transitional word (such as “similarly”). If expressing a contrast, choose a contrasting transitional word (such as “conversely”).
 
Grammar - Compound Sentence error (you have a run-on sentence)
Two complete sentences must be joined with either…
1) A comma and a FANBOYS
Ex: I am a student, and I am in high school.
2) A semicolon
Ex: I am a student; I am in high school.
 
Suggested use:
Instead of giving your students this entire long list, choose specific items that you will focus on while grading a particular essay. Then compile the relevant comments into one page to hand out to your students. Choose different items to assess for each paper you grade so that the students are exposed to more areas over the course of the year!
 
Also included: A graphic organizer for students to notate the comments they received and do a reflection on your feedback.