Feedback refers to the verbal and nonverbal responses your audience gives you before, during and following a talk. For instance, as you arrive at the speaking event, your audience may greet you with excitement and warm anticipation. As you begin talking, you might find your audience chuckling when you hope that they will and groaning when you hope that too. Following your talk you might find members of your audience calling you to thank you for an excellent talk and asking you to speak again on another occasion.

What is constructive criticism?
You can expect that your audience will be listening to your ideas and discerning whether your evidence supports your argument. As you advance a claim, your audience may well wonder how well you have made your case. Constructive criticism gives you feedback about how well you made your case, without destroying your confidence!

Communication experts George Grice and Bruce Skinner recommend the following excellent guidelines for critiquing speeches:

1. Begin with a positive statement.
2. Target a few key areas for improvement.
3. Organize your comments.
4. Be specific.
5. Be honest but tactful.
6. Personalize your comments.
7. Reinforce the positive.
8. Problem-solve the negative.
9. Provide the speaker with a plan of action.
10. End with a positive statement.

As you give feedback to others, consider carefully whether your feedback is warranted, balanced, timely, and solicited.