The Importance of Feedback and Resubmission in Improving Writing

For students preparing for selective school exams, class tests or NAPLAN, writing is a key skill that can make a significant difference to their performance. However, strong writing is rarely achieved in a single draft. Instead, it evolves through a process of drafting, receiving feedback and making improvements. Encouraging children to view feedback and resubmission as opportunities for growth can greatly enhance their writing skills and confidence.

Why Feedback Matters

Feedback provides students with a clear understanding of their strengths and highlights areas for improvement. Constructive feedback doesn’t just emphasise what went wrong—it also emphasizes what is going well. Recognising strengths, such as a vivid use of vocabulary or a well-structured argument, builds a student’s confidence and reinforces good writing habits. Simultaneously, feedback offers specific suggestions for improvement, helping students refine weaker areas.

For tests like NAPLAN, where persuasive and narrative writing are assessed, targeted feedback can help students sharpen their ability to communicate ideas effectively under timed conditions. Similarly, for selective school applications, high-quality feedback can ensure that students’ writing meets the standard of excellence these competitive environments demand.

The Role of Resubmission

Resubmission is where the magic happens. When students revise their work based on feedback, they engage deeply with their mistakes and learn how to avoid them in the future. At the same time, by building on their identified strengths, students can elevate their writing to a new level. Resubmitting drafts helps them internalize new strategies and encourages a growth mindset, showing them that effort leads to improvement.

How Parents Can Support the Process

Here are some ways you can help your child benefit from feedback and resubmission:

1. Encourage an Open Attitude Toward Feedback
   Help your child see feedback as a tool for growth, not as criticism. Explain that even the best writers revise their work many times. Celebrate their effort and progress, not just the final result.
   

2. Review Feedback Together
   Go through the feedback with your child and help them understand the suggestions. Highlight both the strengths and the areas for improvement. Focusing on their successes can boost motivation while making the process feel positive and constructive.
   

3. Set Goals for Resubmission
   Work with your child to create specific goals for their revised draft. For example, they might aim to use more descriptive language, improve paragraph transitions, or avoid repeating the same ideas.
   

4. Use Real-Life Examples
   Point out how authors, journalists, or even professionals in your own field rely on feedback to improve their work. This can help your child see the value of the process in a broader context.
   

5. Encourage Practice Beyond the Classroom
   Create opportunities for your child to practice writing at home. Provide prompts, review their work and offer constructive feedback. This extra practice can build their confidence and prepare them for formal assessments.
   

The Long-Term Benefits

The ability to accept feedback and revise work is a skill that extends far beyond school. It teaches resilience, adaptability and a commitment to excellence—qualities that are valuable in any area of life. For selective school exams, NAPLAN, or class tests, embracing feedback and resubmission can turn average writing into exceptional work, giving students a competitive edge.

By fostering a positive attitude toward feedback and the revision process, parents can help their children develop stronger writing skills, achieve better academic results and build confidence in their abilities. Writing isn’t about getting it perfect the first time—it’s about learning, improving and striving for your best.