# Referee Response

> Structure responses to referee reports for R&R submissions

- Skill: `brycewang-stanford/referee-response` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add brycewang-stanford/referee-response`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/brycewang-stanford/referee-response/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: brycewang-stanford (https://skillmd.com/u/brycewang-stanford)
- Updated: 2026-08-19
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/brycewang-stanford/referee-response

---


# Referee Response Assistant

Help structure and draft responses to referee reports. Ensures consistent formatting and comprehensive responses.

---

## Response Document Structure

```
RESPONSE TO REFEREE COMMENTS

Paper: [Title]
Authors: [Names]
Journal: [Journal Name]
Manuscript #: [Number]
Date: [Date]

We thank the editor and referees for their constructive comments.
We have carefully addressed all points raised. Below we provide
point-by-point responses. Referee comments are in italics, and
our responses follow in regular text. All page and line numbers
refer to the revised manuscript.

================================================================
RESPONSE TO EDITOR
================================================================

[Editor comments and responses]

================================================================
RESPONSE TO REFEREE 1
================================================================

[Point-by-point responses]

================================================================
RESPONSE TO REFEREE 2
================================================================

[Point-by-point responses]
```

---

## Point-by-Point Response Template

For each referee comment:

```
----------------------------------------------------------------
Comment 1.X: [Brief label for reference]
----------------------------------------------------------------

*[Paste exact referee comment in italics]*

RESPONSE:

[Your response here]

- What we did to address the comment
- Where changes appear in the manuscript (page X, lines Y-Z)
- If we added analysis, summarize the results
- If we respectfully disagree, explain why with evidence

CHANGES MADE:
- Page X: [Description of change]
- Table Y: [Description of new/modified table]
- Section Z: [Description of new text]
```

---

## Response Strategies by Comment Type

### Data/Sample Questions
```
The referee raises an important point about [issue]. We have:
1. [Addressed concern directly]
2. Added robustness tests in Table X showing results hold when [alternative]
3. Discussed this limitation on page Y, lines Z
```

### Identification Concerns
```
We appreciate this comment on identification. We address this in three ways:
1. Added [placebo test/IV/etc.] in Table X
2. Discussed the assumption more carefully in Section Y
3. Acknowledge remaining limitations on page Z
```

### Requests for Additional Analysis
```
Thank you for this suggestion. We have added [analysis] in Table X / Figure Y.
The results show [brief summary]. This [strengthens/qualifies] our main findings.
```

### Clarification Requests
```
We apologize for the lack of clarity. We have revised the text on page X
to clarify that [explanation]. The revised passage now reads:

"[Quote revised text]"
```

### Disagreement (Respectful)
```
We appreciate this thoughtful comment. After careful consideration, we
respectfully maintain our original approach because:
1. [Reason 1 with evidence/citation]
2. [Reason 2]

However, we have added discussion of this alternative perspective on page X
and include [robustness test] in the appendix to address related concerns.
```

---

## Change Tracking Summary

Include at the end of your response:

```
================================================================
SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES
================================================================

1. Added Table X: [Description]
2. Added Figure Y: [Description]
3. Revised Section Z to [description]
4. Added robustness tests for [list]
5. Expanded discussion of [topic] on pages A-B

================================================================
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS ADDED
================================================================

- Online Appendix Table A1: [Description]
- Online Appendix Figure A1: [Description]
- Replication package updated with [additions]
```

---

## Quick Commands

- **"format referee response"** - Set up response document structure
- **"respond to this comment"** - Draft response to a specific comment
- **"disagreement response"** - Help phrase respectful disagreement
- **"summarize changes"** - Generate changes summary from our edits
- **"check completeness"** - Verify all comments addressed

---

## Tone Guidelines

**Do:**
- Thank referees for specific insights
- Be concise but thorough
- Clearly indicate where changes were made
- Acknowledge valid limitations
- Cite supporting evidence for your choices

**Don't:**
- Be defensive or dismissive
- Ignore parts of comments
- Over-explain obvious points
- Promise future work instead of doing it now
- Leave any comment unaddressed

---

## Common Phrases

**Agreeing:**
- "We thank the referee for this excellent suggestion."
- "This is an important point that strengthens our analysis."
- "We have incorporated this suggestion as follows..."

**Partial agreement:**
- "We appreciate this comment. While [X], we have [Y]."
- "This is a valid concern. We address it by..."

**Respectful disagreement:**
- "We thank the referee for raising this issue. After careful consideration..."
- "We respectfully maintain our approach because..."
- "While we see the merit in this suggestion, we believe..."

**Acknowledging limitations:**
- "We acknowledge this limitation and have added discussion on page X."
- "While ideal data would allow [X], our approach is consistent with [citations]."

---

## Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting your response:

- [ ] Every comment has a response (numbered consistently)
- [ ] All page/line references are accurate for revised manuscript
- [ ] New tables/figures are referenced correctly
- [ ] Track changes document is prepared
- [ ] Clean version of manuscript is prepared
- [ ] Supplementary materials are updated
- [ ] Cover letter to editor is drafted
- [ ] Co-authors have reviewed responses