Teachers, when your kids bring you their fiction writing and ask for feedback, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't focus on their grammar and punctuation. Breathe life into their creativity. Putting all the focus on "rules" can kill a budding writer's voice.

9 times out of ten, a student really just wants to hear that you think their story is great and that they're on the right track. They want confirmation that the big leap of faith they've taken in trying to create a story isn't a silly thing for them to be trying. Honor that.

That being said, there is a place for constructive criticism, especially for a student who is serious and wants to improve. Critique and revising are an important part of being a writer. So if a student asks for feedback (or if you're practicing revising with feedback) try this:

First, always start with a compliment. Then find a way to expand that compliment to give them something more to think about.
For example, if a student's writing is lacking description, you can say, "I love how you get right to the action. I'd love to know more about what's going

on around them.

Or, if their dialogue is stilted. Try, "This conversation is intriguing and gives me some great information. I wonder if this character would actually say it like this. Do you think they might use some different words?"

Perhaps they need to expand on their story. "This is a great start and a really fun idea. I want more of it! What do you think would happen if..." You catch my drift.

Always aim your critique at broadening the good stuff already on the page.

This feels like a good time to add that if you feel a bit lost about how to teach fiction writing in a way that fosters creativity and love of writing, I offer reasonably priced 1 hour Skype visits and have a 6 week lesson plan on the fundamentals. DM me for details.