Author Response to Reviewers
When you submit a revised manuscript, you must include a point-by-point response to every comment raised by the editor and reviewers. This response is shared with the reviewers in the next round.
Format
Use the following structure for each comment:
Reviewer 1, Comment 1: "[Verbatim comment]"
Response: Your explanation of how you addressed (or, with justification, did not address) the comment.
Changes in the manuscript: Quote the new text and give the page/line number.
Repeat for every reviewer and every comment, in order.
Best Practices
- Be respectful and professional, even when you disagree.
- Justify your decisions with evidence and references.
- If you decline a suggested change, explain why clearly — reviewers are usually willing to be convinced.
- Track every change in the manuscript using "Track Changes" or a clearly highlighted version.
- Provide a clean version (without markup) alongside the tracked version.
Submission
Upload the following files for the revision:
- Revised manuscript (tracked changes).
- Revised manuscript (clean version).
- Author response letter (this document).
- Any updated figures, tables, or supplementary files.
Template
A downloadable template is available from the editorial office on request. The response letter typically has three sections:
- Summary statement — a short paragraph thanking the reviewers and summarising the main changes.
- Responses to the Editor.
- Responses to each Reviewer, in order.
Subsequent Rounds
If a second revision is requested, the same format applies; reviewers will see the prior responses to ensure continuity.