In most of our college courses, lessons can be submitted either on paper or by e-mail. E-mail lesson submission offers obvious advantages, such as speed and ease in establishing communication between you and your students. Regardless of how lessons are graded, comments reflecting your assessment of the students' work and suggestions for improvement are essential. A lesson should never be returned without some indication of the quality of the work. Pointing out strengths and deficiencies will help establish your standards for the quality and quantity of work expected.
Straightforward comments are best.
Sarcasm and humor are easily misinterpreted and therefore should be avoided unless you know your students well. Negative comments that offer no help can only discourage students. Please keep in mind that our students are studying under a wide range of circumstances. Many are overcoming enormous odds to be enrolled in your course. Your comments and attentive responses may make more difference in the lives of your students than you will ever know.