What is an essential characteristic of effective peer feedback?

Effective peer feedback is characterized by being specific and actionable because it provides clear guidance and direction for improvement. Specific feedback addresses particular aspects of the work, making it easier for the recipient to understand what they did well and what needs enhancement. Actionable feedback offers concrete suggestions or steps that the person receiving the feedback can take to make improvements.

For instance, instead of saying "You need to improve your presentation," effective feedback might specify, "Try to include more visuals in your slides to engage your audience." This kind of feedback is timely, relevant, and geared towards facilitating growth, making it much more valuable than general or vague comments.

When feedback is specific and actionable, it empowers individuals to take meaningful steps toward their development, thereby enhancing learning outcomes and fostering a supportive peer review environment.