> 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/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/oral-grading-feedback.md).

# Grading and feedback settings for oral activities

Grading Settings guide the AI when you grade. Feedback Settings control the immediate, unscored feedback students get after each answer.

<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>

*New · October 2026*

## Before you start

* The rubric is in place: one per question for an Oral Quiz, one shared rubric for an Oral Defense.
* You know whether students should get feedback between attempts.
* For an Oral Defense, you’ve decided whether the submitted work is graded too.

## Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Set grading instructions

Grading Settings works as it does for assignments: a master switch for grading suggestions, general instructions, and look-fors and violations for each criterion.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Show the student’s submission (Oral Defense)

Turn on Also show student submission in the grading view to add the student’s file as a tab beside their attempt when you grade.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Grade the submission too (Oral Defense)

With the submission shown, Also use rubric to grade student submission applies the defense rubric to the work as well, producing one grade for both. This isn’t offered for an Oral Quiz, where rubrics belong to individual questions.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Turn on immediate feedback

In Feedback Settings, turn on immediate formative feedback. Structure, length, language level and tone are the same settings used for assignment feedback.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Know what students see

Immediate feedback contains strengths, things to improve and next steps. It never includes scores, grades, percentages or rubric ratings. When retries are allowed, students use it to improve their next attempt.

{% 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:** Immediate feedback is separate from your grading. Nothing a student reads here is a grade, and nothing here is sent to your LMS.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>The submission tab doesn’t appear when grading.</summary>

Turn on Also show student submission in the grading view. It’s only available for Oral Defense.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Students say feedback reads like a grade.</summary>

Shorten the length or soften the tone. It never contains scores, but long notes can read like an assessment.

</details>

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Is immediate feedback graded?</summary>

No. It’s formative and contains no scores.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I write the feedback students get after each answer?</summary>

No. Immediate feedback is drafted automatically from your settings. You write the final feedback when you grade.

</details>

## Related articles

* [Sending oral grades to your LMS](/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/oral-passback.md)
* [Grading an oral attempt](/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/oral-review.md)
* [Customizing feedback](/d2l-support-articles/assignments/customizing-feedback.md)