When I was in high school I was a "Peer Tutor" in English and literature. This meant, as an elective, I was asked to assist my other students, serving as an in-class tutor and assistant to the teacher. Whether it was diagraming sentences or helping edit a book report, I'd sit alongside other teenagers and give feedback on their work.
First, can anyone say nerd? Second, this nerd became a writer herself. Third, I had to learn, early on, how to give feedback - and to my peers, nonetheless. I had two fantastic teachers, Mr. Bill Patterson and Mr. Rick Weinheimer (go Columbus North Bulldogs!) who coached me through giving constructive feedback. I will always remember the spirit with which they nurtured peer tutors and the advice they gave around feedback. In fact, Mr. Weinheimer was a beloved coach, so his feedback skills extended far beyond the classroom and across many generations!
Here are a few tips for giving feedback: