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[stratagem_007]

macchiavelli, there is a lot of wisdom in the post of expat_scand.

SE

Indeed! Thanks for that, expat_scand. The more that I read my reviewers' comments, the more sense they make, and the more I realize that I can respond to them and make the necessary changes. It's a lot of work, but it's seeming less daunting. One difference I am noticing is that I am getting briefer comments from my reviewers than is common in your experience. All together, I have three reviewers and three pages of comments. I will be optimistic and take this as a positive sign.

[stratagem_007]

I think I am almost done my revisions! 15-hour work days do pay off. And now, time to prepare for classes...

Question: Is a seven-page letter to the editor that addresses the reviewers' comments (1) over the top, (2) too short, or (3) about right?

[science_expat]

I think I am almost done my revisions! 15-hour work days do pay off. And now, time to prepare for classes...

Question: Is a seven-page letter to the editor that addresses the reviewers' comments (1) over the top, (2) too short, or (3) about right?

Congratulations. There is no right answer to your question, however, only "it depends". Sorry.

[infopri]

I think I am almost done my revisions! 15-hour work days do pay off. And now, time to prepare for classes...

Question: Is a seven-page letter to the editor that addresses the reviewers' comments (1) over the top, (2) too short, or (3) about right?

Congratulations. There is no right answer to your question, however, only "it depends". Sorry.

Science_expat is right, stratejem, it depends.  Your letter should be long enough to respond to each comment made by the reviewers, and no longer.  Therefore, the length of your letter depends on (a) how many comments there were, (2) what your response to each comment is.  If you did exactly what was suggested in a comment, then your response really doesn't need to be much longer than, "Done."  But if your revision isn't exactly what was suggested (or you decided not to revise in a particular instance, perhaps because you disagreed with the comment), then you need to explain why.  Your explanation should be brief, but persuasive enough to show that you didn't just blow the comment off.

Also, does your seven-page letter include the actual comments?  I structure my R&R letters comment by comment; the comment is in one typeface and my response is in another, to make the two visually different and easy to identify.  This practice, of course, makes the letters longer--but more helpful to the editor and reviewers, I think.

I hope this helps.

[stratagem_007]

I think I am almost done my revisions! 15-hour work days do pay off. And now, time to prepare for classes...

Question: Is a seven-page letter to the editor that addresses the reviewers' comments (1) over the top, (2) too short, or (3) about right?

Congratulations. There is no right answer to your question, however, only "it depends". Sorry.

Science_expat is right, stratejem, it depends.  Your letter should be long enough to respond to each comment made by the reviewers, and no longer.  Therefore, the length of your letter depends on (a) how many comments there were, (2) what your response to each comment is.  If you did exactly what was suggested in a comment, then your response really doesn't need to be much longer than, "Done."  But if your revision isn't exactly what was suggested (or you decided not to revise in a particular instance, perhaps because you disagreed with the comment), then you need to explain why.  Your explanation should be brief, but persuasive enough to show that you didn't just blow the comment off.

Also, does your seven-page letter include the actual comments?  I structure my R&R letters comment by comment; the comment is in one typeface and my response is in another, to make the two visually different and easy to identify.  This practice, of course, makes the letters longer--but more helpful to the editor and reviewers, I think.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, infopri, this does help.

Yes, the letter does include the reviewers' comments in italics. I responded to each point individually, right below the italicized comment. Makes it easier to read that way. Overall, my own responses are about 4 pages in length.

[infopri]

Yes, the letter does include the reviewers' comments in italics. I responded to each point individually, right below the italicized comment. Makes it easier to read that way. Overall, my own responses are about 4 pages in length.

If you have four pages of responses to about three pages of comments, I'd guess (without seeing it) that you're probably in the right ball park, especially if you did what the reviewers wanted you to do.  (If you had a lot of 'splaining to do, Lucy, I'd expect you'd need a bit more space.)  Of course, I'm reacting without seeing it, so my opinion may not be worth much.