Commenting on a Draft

What Supervisors Can Do

Supervisors may use questions or prompts that help the student:

• clarify unclear reasoning

• identify gaps in evidence

• consider alternative interpretations

• strengthen coherence and flow

• check accuracy of data or calculations

• revisit the research question for consistency

• reflect on the strength of their line of argument

• recognise missing requirements

Examples of appropriate comments:

• “Is your research question phrased consistently throughout the essay”

• “I am not sure your argument is clear in this paragraph. How could you make your reasoning more precise”

• “Could you check the accuracy of the data here”

• “What evidence supports this point”

• “Is this section fully answering your research question”

• “What is the purpose of this figure, and how does it connect to your argument”

These questions encourage independent revision and align with the SAFE approach.

What Supervisors Cannot Do

Supervisors must not make corrections or direct changes to the essay. The student must remain fully responsible for the writing, structure and argument.

Supervisors may not:

• edit or rewrite any part of the text

• correct spelling, grammar or punctuation

• fix scientific or mathematical errors

• move or reorganise sections

• indicate where paragraphs should be placed

• add examples, evidence or explanations

• correct citations or the bibliography

• annotate the draft line by line

• provide tracked changes or in text comments that suggest wording

This ensures the essay remains the student’s independent work.

How to Prepare for the Draft Meeting

Before the meeting:

• The student submits a complete draft

• The supervisor reads the essay without marking or editing

• Notes are prepared as open questions or broad observations

During the meeting:

• The student leads the discussion

• The supervisor uses questioning and SAFE feedback

• The focus remains on process, clarity and reasoning

After the meeting:

• No further drafts are accepted

• The student works independently on revisions

• The supervisor supports only through brief check ins if needed

Examples of IB Aligned Prompts

These are excellent for modelling safe, appropriate feedback.

Issue: The argument is inconsistent

Prompt: “How does this point connect to your earlier reasoning”

Issue: Missing analysis of a source

Prompt: “What is the significance of this source for your line of argument”

Issue: Unclear link to the research question

Prompt: “How does this section help you answer your research question”

Issue: Weak conclusion

Prompt: “What do you want the reader to take away from your findings, and how could you show this more clearly”

These questions support the student without shaping the content.

Key Principles

• The student writes the essay

• The supervisor prompts thinking

• Feedback must protect independence

• Open questions support analysis and coherence

• The draft meeting is the final moment for guidance

• No editing, no correction, no rewriting

This ensures fairness, integrity and alignment with IB expectations.