> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.timelygrader.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.timelygrader.ai/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-feedback.md).

# Advanced: Customizing Feedback

Adjust the tone, length and structure of first-pas feedback.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2F2fxvIUk6kO5NV6YbNqZ3%2Farticle-banner.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Feedback Settings** let you adjust the structure, tone, language level and length of AI-generated feedback, and give instructions for how it’s written. By default, feedback gives clear, criterion-based comments tied to your rubric.

{% hint style="success" %} <img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2Fms2lmbcFJs7XOGunUDRn%2Fhugo-head.svg?alt=media" alt="Hugo" data-size="line"> **Hugo’s tip:** Feedback Settings control the *structure* of feedback. What the feedback says follows the grading rationale, so to change its *content*, adjust [Grading Settings](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-grading.md) first.
{% endhint %}

## Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Feedback Settings

Open the assignment, click **Edit**, and go to **Feedback Settings**. They start from your defaults in **Settings → Preferences**, and you can change them for this assignment.

<figure><img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2FFRePoP2rkbNUAej1sNxS%2FScreenshot%202026-10-14%20at%201.57.19%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=43a640c3-5903-478d-a73a-df5bcdcfd0b3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose a structure and customize it

The options available depend on the feedback structure you choose:

* **Rubric-Based Feedback (default):** one positive comment and one improvement suggestion per rubric criterion. Adjust suggestion length, language level, tone, and what to focus on.
*

```
<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b90ef135b736a553b0761_f0cb82f6.png" alt="Rubric-Based Feedback settings" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

* **General & Detailed Feedback:** a general feedback paragraph plus up to five targeted improvement suggestions. Adjust the number of suggestions, their length, language level, tone, and focus.
*

```
<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b90ef135b736a553b075b_2e86f2db.png" alt="General &#x26; Detailed Feedback settings" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

* **Smart Feedback Templates (manually created):** write feedback in advance for each rubric rating; it is applied automatically during grading.
*

```
<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b90ef135b736a553b0765_4ec42d63.png" alt="Smart Feedback Templates" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

* **Custom Feedback Settings:** when the other structures don’t fit, write your own instructions for tone, structure and content.

<figure><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/655ce9ef982243b960228317/6a6b90ef135b736a553b0769_499bd1e2.png" alt="Custom Feedback Settings" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %} <img src="https://3711328535-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVTk0635Lo8R5owJx3bPK%2Fuploads%2Fms2lmbcFJs7XOGunUDRn%2Fhugo-head.svg?alt=media" alt="Hugo" data-size="line"> **Hugo’s tip:** Custom structures can take some trial and error. Iterating on your instructions is called fine-tuning; see [Refining AI Accuracy](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/refining-ai-accuracy.md).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Changes are saved automatically

Similar to grading settings, changes are saved automatically and we show you the timestamp when the assignment was last saved.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Inline comments and feedback language

* **Inline Comment Settings** control how inline comments on the student’s text are created. They work much like Feedback Settings.
* **Feedback language** is set per course, under **Settings → Course Details**. Changing it only affects submissions processed afterwards; feedback already processed or released stays as it is.

See [Understanding your Settings page](/user-guides-get-started-here/settings-language.md) for your defaults and language options.

## Related articles

* [Advanced: Customizing Grading](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/customizing-grading.md)
* [Regeneration for More Accurate Feedback](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/regeneration.md)
* [How to Grade Submissions with TimelyGrader](/canvas-support-articles/assignments/grade-submissions.md)