1. Preserve the decision letter and every comment
Create a response matrix containing each editor and reviewer comment without changing its meaning. Separate compound comments into identifiable subparts when necessary, but do not omit difficult points.
2. Classify the required action
For every comment, determine whether the response requires a manuscript correction, new analysis, added explanation, additional evidence, a limitation, a formatting change, or a justified disagreement. Questions that cannot be resolved should be escalated to the authors rather than guessed.
3. State the response before the detail
Begin with a direct answer: the manuscript was revised, clarification was added, analysis was performed, or the authors respectfully disagree. Then explain the reasoning and supporting evidence.
4. Identify the exact change
Quote the new or revised text when practical and give the current page, line, section, table, figure, or supplement location. Locations should refer to the version being resubmitted, not the previous manuscript.
5. Justify disagreements scientifically
Disagreement can be appropriate when a requested change is methodologically unsuitable, unsupported, impossible from the available data, or outside scope. Explain the reason respectfully, acknowledge the underlying concern, and offer a clarification or limitation where useful.
6. Reconcile the entire package
A revision can create new inconsistencies. Recheck the abstract, methods, results, discussion, tables, figures, supplements, declarations, clean manuscript, marked manuscript, and response letter after all changes are complete.
7. Complete a final response audit
Verify that every comment has a response, every claimed change exists, every location is accurate, new analyses are described in the methods and results, and the conclusions reflect the revised evidence.
Authoritative resource
This educational article provides general guidance. Authors remain responsible for the scientific content, accuracy, authorship, declarations, and final submission.