anything, as deceptive words or actions, used to cover up or gloss over faults, errors, or wrongdoings, or absolve a wrongdoer from blame. 

from dictionary.com

In Toastmasters, a “whitewash” usually refers to an evaluation that lacks critique.  No areas for improvement are suggested.  A whitewash can be quite frustrating as an opportuity to grow is lost.

Often a whitewash will come from an inexperienced Toastmaster, giving an evaluation to an experienced Toastmaster.  We need to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect speech and that every point of view is valid.

To prevent giving a whitewash, incorporate the phrase “I would have liked to have seen you…” into your evaluation.  Hopefully something will follow that you can give to the speaker.

If all else fails and you have no constructive feedback to give, tell the audience up front that you struggled finding an area for improvement and that you will open it up to the audience for suggestions.  Then, ask for suggestions in the middle of your evaluation (making sure to frame, or sandwich, constructive criticism).  This way the speaker will get something to work on and you may learn what to say next time.

I just read an interesting article on Asking for Feedback today.

If you shoot off a quick email to everyone you know asking for their opinion you have no control on what you receive.  Will it be helpful to you?  Will it be actionable?  If all you are looking for is acknowledgment then by all means go ahead.  However, if you want to use the feedback to improve, then you need a different approach.

Spend some time thinking about the kind of feedback you desire.  Make a list.  Then, match that list to the people you can ask.  Send a personalized email to that person asking for the specific feedback.  You should also include why you are asking that person as it will likely make them feel good and also provide you better feedback.

Instead of asking:

Friends, please tell me what you think of my new website.

Consider:

Diane, I love your sense of design and how you make things look simple.  Could you please give me 3 suggestions on how I can make my new website simpler.

You can learn a lot more from listening than you can from talking. Find someone with whom you don’t agree in the slightest and ask them to explain themselves at length. Then take a seat, shut your mouth, and don’t argue back. It’s physically impossible to listen with your mouth open.

– John Moe

Stewie from Family Guy shows how to give an effective evaluation.

While we are at it, here is a criticism sandwich.

Truly, constructive criticism conveys that indispensable degree of honesty through a combination of credibility and skilled diplomacy

That quote came from an excellent article on AskMen.com.

The article lists 8 points on giving constructive criticism:

• Omit character traits
• Frame your criticism in appropriate language
• Get your facts straight
• Keep emotions in mind and in check
• Focus on what can be done, not what’s been done
• Empathize
• Utilize reason, not personal preference
• Allow time for a response

I would add that appropriate language involves removing the word “you” as much as possible. As an example, you could say:

You did not come across as sincere.

Or you could say:

I did not feel sincerity come across when I listened to the speech.

The first way seems to be stating a fact that the problem lies with the recipient.  The second way clearly suggests that this is a personal opinion.

Focusing on what can be done is critical.  In the above example, only mention that you didn’t feel sincerity if you have a suggestion for how that sincerity could be conveyed.  As an example, maybe the recipient could maintain eye contact longer.  Without the specific suggestion, the criticism is a waste.