How to handle supervisor feedback before you start editing your thesis
You’ve spent months developing your thesis. Now your supervisor returns it—covered in comments. Whether they’re encouraging, vague, or brutally direct, one thing is clear: the feedback matters. Before you dive into editing, take a step back. If you skip straight to polishing sentences without addressing the substance, you’re wasting time. The structure, clarity, and logic of your argument come first.
Why supervisor feedback deserves your full attention
Your supervisor knows what your department expects from a thesis in your field. Their job is to push your work into shape—not to flatter, and definitely not to coddle. Their comments are meant to help you meet academic standards. If you gloss over them or jump to editing too soon, you risk polishing text that still needs big-picture revisions.
Step 1: Read the feedback. Don’t react.
This isn’t the moment to argue with comments or rewrite everything in a panic. Read through all the feedback once, and then step away. Let it sink in.
If you’re working in a second language, this part can feel especially hard. Academic feedback often uses polite, indirect language—“You may want to revisit this section” might really mean “This part doesn’t work.” Take time to decode the tone before you respond.
Step 2: Organize the feedback
Once you’ve absorbed the comments, get systematic. Don’t just dive in randomly. Use a spreadsheet, a checklist, or a tool like Notion or Trello to group feedback into categories such as:
Structure: Do the sections flow logically? Is anything out of place?
Content: Are your arguments well-supported? Is anything unclear or missing?
Style and tone: Are you too informal, too dense, or inconsistent?
Language: Are grammar, word choice, and phrasing correct and academic?
Formatting and references: Are citations accurate and consistent?
Tracking everything gives you a sense of progress—and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Step 3: Clarify what’s unclear
If a comment feels vague or confusing, don’t guess: Ask. Reach out to your supervisor or a trusted colleague. EFL students often face extra ambiguity when feedback is phrased subtly. “Consider rephrasing” might mean “this sentence doesn’t make sense.” Clarify before you revise—saves time and prevents missteps.
Step 4: Tackle the big stuff first
Not all comments are equal. Start with the feedback that affects your argument, structure, or evidence. These include:
Strengthening weak or confusing analysis
Reorganizing chapters or sections
Clarifying your research question or argument
Cutting or rewriting whole paragraphs
Editing grammar in a section that might be cut later is pointless. Once the core content is solid, then move on to finer detail.
Step 5: Edit with feedback in mind
Only after you've handled every structural and content-level comment should you begin editing the language. This is when grammar, sentence flow, tone, and formatting come into play. If you're hiring a professional editor, let them know the content is final. That way, they can focus on making your ideas as clear and professional as possible—without second-guessing your structure.
Expect an emotional response—and move past it
Even helpful feedback can sting. That’s normal. When you’re working in a second language, or writing something that represents months of work, criticism can feel personal. But it’s not an attack—it’s an opportunity to improve. The more you see feedback as expert guidance, the faster you’ll move forward.
Your supervisor’s comments aren’t just a list of problems. They’re a roadmap to a better thesis. Use them well: read carefully, categorize, ask questions, prioritize, and revise with intention. Only then is it time to polish the language.
Need help after that? Our editors specialize in post-feedback editing for EFL students. We’ll help you refine clarity, structure, and tone—without changing your message. Get in touch to work with someone who knows the process inside out.