The praise before the correction

Original opinion extract, written for practice.

I knew the drawing needed work. I would have preferred to hear where. Instead, the tutor told me my use of colour was exciting, paused and explained that the perspective was confused. Then came another compliment, delivered with the careful balance of someone closing a sandwich. I spent the rest of the session wondering whether the colours were exciting or merely the bread. Encouragement matters; a beginner should not leave believing one error has swallowed the whole attempt. But encouragement loses its force when we can hear the procedure moving underneath it. Tell me what works because you noticed it. Tell me what needs changing because you can help. I do not need criticism hidden between two compliments which have been recruited to guard it.

Use your own words to evaluate the writer’s attitude to giving feedback through formulaic praise. Give details from the extract to justify your answer.