I've got so much feedback I don't know where to start
Turn a pile of comments into an ordered work plan, starting with the changes that matter most.
In short
Start here, today. Read all the feedback once, from start to finish, without changing anything or replying. Then write a few lines on what your readers liked, what they seem to think is the biggest problem, and what you don't understand. This takes about 30 minutes.
After that, work through these steps. Choose one to jump to it.
Step by step
Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step for the how.
0 of 6 steps done
Log every substantive comment
Open the Feedback Tracker and enter each comment in your own words, with who said it and where. Put all the typos and small wording fixes into a single row. Rewriting a comment in your own words forces you to work out what it's really asking, which is often the hardest part.
Sort by type
Label each comment as argument, structure, method, evidence, clarity or style. You'll usually find that several comments are symptoms of the same problem. Merge those into one item with a note of every place it shows up.
Do the big things first
Work on argument, method and structure before anything else, because those changes move or remove text. Leave style and small corrections until the shape is settled. If a major change will take weeks, tell your supervisor roughly how long and in what order you'll tackle it.
Ask about what you don't understand
Collect the comments you can't interpret, or where you're unsure how far to go, and ask about them all in one email or at your next meeting. Quote the comment and offer your reading of it. A short question now is quicker than spending a week guessing wrong.
Decide what you won't change
You don't have to accept every comment, but you do have to respond to each one. Where you disagree, write your reasoning in the tracker. A clear, polite reason is usually accepted. A comment that has been silently ignored usually comes back, often with more force.
Send a response table with the revision
When you return the draft, include a short table listing each main comment, what you changed and where, or why you didn't. Your readers can check the revision in minutes instead of rereading the whole chapter, and the next round of comments tends to be shorter and more focused.
Words you can use
Is this you? Signs to look for
- A chapter came back with dozens of comments and tracked changes in two colours.
- You've opened the file several times and closed it again without changing anything.
- You've started on the typos because they're the only thing that feels doable.
- Some comments contradict each other, and a few you simply don't understand.
- You can't tell which comments are requirements and which are passing thoughts.
Why this happens
A heavily marked draft looks like a verdict, but most of those comments are small. Supervisors and committee members often comment as they read, so one underlying problem, such as an argument that isn't stated until page twelve, can produce fifteen separate notes. The number of comments tells you how closely someone read. It doesn't tell you how much is wrong.
The trap is starting on page one and working through in order. You end up polishing sentences in a section that later gets cut or moved, and the big questions are still waiting at the end, when you're tired. Sorting the comments first saves you from doing the same work twice.
Worth a look (4)
- PatterPat Thomson writes often about revising academic writing and working with readers' comments.
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)Free guides on every part of academic writing, from structuring a paragraph to citing sources. A good first stop when you're unsure how something should look.
- Writing Center Tips & ToolsShort, friendly handouts answer almost any writing question, from literature reviews and abstracts to passive voice and conclusions. Reach for them when one particular thing is tripping you up.
- Writing AdviceShort, practical pages walk you through planning, drafting and revising, with advice on literature reviews, lab reports and using sources. They're easy to dip into when you have one question.
When to bring someone in
If comments from different readers point in opposite directions, ask your supervisor to help you decide before you revise. If most of the feedback is about language and clarity, your university's writing centre can work through it with you, and many offer appointments for graduate students.
Find the right person, or talk to Ify