Teacher resource
IB Feedback Comment Bank for Teachers
Copy, adapt, and combine these rubric-aligned feedback stems when reviewing IB essays. Keep teacher judgment as the final step before students see the comments.
Updated 2026-04-13
Argument and focus
- Clarify the claim this paragraph is trying to prove.
- Bring this point back to the assessment question before moving on.
- Add a topic sentence that previews the analytical purpose of the paragraph.
Evidence and analysis
- Use the evidence to test your claim, not just illustrate the topic.
- After the quotation, explain what the detail reveals and why it matters.
- This paragraph reports evidence accurately, but it needs more interpretation.
Counterclaims and evaluation
- Add a counterclaim that challenges the assumption behind this argument.
- Explain why this limitation changes how strongly the evidence supports your conclusion.
- Compare the two perspectives before deciding which is more convincing.
Structure and communication
- Move this explanation closer to the evidence it supports.
- Use the conclusion to synthesize your argument, not only summarize it.
- Break this long point into two sentences so the reasoning is easier to follow.
How to use this resource
- Pick one comment that names the student's most important revision.
- Add a paragraph reference or short quote so the feedback is specific.
- Adjust the tone for your class before sharing it with students.