What is the difference between feedback and criticism in communication?

• A. Feedback is vague praise; criticism is optimistic suggestions.
• B. Feedback is constructive information about performance; criticism is negative judgment; feedback should be specific and actionable.
• C. Feedback is only verbal; criticism is only written.
• D. Feedback and criticism are the same.

Answer: (B)

Feedback is information about a person’s performance aimed at helping them improve. It focuses on specific actions or outcomes you observed, not on labeling the person. Good feedback is timely, precise, and actionable, giving clear steps the person can take to do better. Criticism, by contrast, often comes as a negative judgment and can feel like a personal attack; it may lack concrete guidance and leave someone discouraged. The difference matters because feedback guides growth by describing what happened, why it matters, and how to change, while criticism typically doesn't provide a path forward. For example, you might say, “I noticed three typos in the report and that the conclusion isn’t clearly tied to the data; revising those sections and adding one supporting data point will strengthen it.” Feedback can be verbal or written and can be positive or corrective; criticism usually centers on fault without constructive steps.