Reply to a Critical Review
Added 2026-11-04
Thank them for specifics, answer point by point, then change only what is worth changing.
I received a critical review (below). Draft my reply: 1) thank them specifically for the two or three most valuable points, without flattery; 2) answer each item — accept and say how, partially accept and explain, or decline with a reason; 3) point out one item that is based on a misunderstanding; 4) pick the three changes worth doing first; 5) close by inviting another round. Do not write a defensive reply.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
对批评的回复，先证明你读懂了，再谈同不同意。
Try tweaking it
- Ask for three openings in different tones, then pick one.
- Replace "make it better" with concrete limits: length, reader, facts to keep.
What you should get
- A publishable draft, not an outline
- A short changelog: what changed and why
Common mistakes
- Letting it guess the facts, so plausible-looking sources get invented.
- Dumping the whole text with just "polish it" — the result still has no point.
How to check the output
- The conclusion comes first; deleting the opening paragraph does not break it.
- Every fact, number and quote traces back to the source text.
Where it works
- Good for: turning a rambling draft into a conclusion-first, shorter version.
- Watch out: keep sources and figures verbatim — do not let it invent citations.