How do you balance brevity and politeness when acknowledging reviewers and editors?

When approving reviewers and editors, you can balance brevity and politeness by expressing gratitude for their willingness to contribute while keeping your message concise. A simple "Thank you for agreeing to review/edit our manuscript" suffices, followed by any necessary details regarding timelines or instructions. Being clear and appreciative conveys politeness without unnecessary verbosity.

Starting any question&answer with "Thank you" and genuinely acknowledging the issues raised is the good starting point. After, just be to the point and remember that the editors and especially reviewers (who review your work for free) do not have much time. So be concise and to the point. If you disagree, disagree respectfully and again shortly.

The tone and style of your acknowledgments should align with your paper's overall tone. Avoid informal expressions, slang, or jargon that might seem disrespectful. Use formal and polite language such as "thank you," "we appreciate," "we are grateful," or "we acknowledge." Ensure you use titles and full names of reviewers and editors, unless instructed otherwise. Steer clear of acronyms or abbreviations that might confuse readers.

Formal Tone: Use formal and polite language such as "thank you," "we appreciate," "we are grateful," or "we acknowledge." Respect Titles: Use titles and full names unless otherwise instructed. Avoid Slang and Jargon: Maintain a professional tone by avoiding casual expressions. In my experience, expressing gratitude with appropriate language like "Thank you for your valuable feedback" maintains a respectful and professional tone.

Choose language that is professional, courteous, and respectful. Avoid using overly formal or informal language. Address reviewers and editors with appropriate titles and expressions of gratitude.

Clearly state what you are thanking the reviewers and editors for and how they have contributed to your paper. Mention their constructive feedback, valuable suggestions, insightful comments, careful editing, or timely handling of your manuscript. Avoid lengthy or overly detailed acknowledgments, which might imply extensive revisions. Keep acknowledgments brief and to the point, ideally no more than one or two sentences per reviewer or editor.

Acknowledge the contributions of reviewers and editors directly and succinctly. Express appreciation for their time and valuable feedback in a concise manner. Avoid unnecessary elaboration or excessive detail.

Be to the point and avoid overdoing it. Your tone should be genuine, not overly flattering, as editors and reviewers can easily detect excessive politeness. Hence, acknowledge them in 1-2 brief sentences rather than a paragraph. Specify and appreciate the constructive aspect of the feedback if you have received, but keep it brief. This approach shows you are humble enough to accept criticism and you do recognize that there is always room for improvement.

Your acknowledgments should genuinely reflect your appreciation and respect for the reviewers and editors. Avoid exaggerating their role or impact on your paper, and do not use the acknowledgments to argue, defend, or justify your paper. If you have any disagreements or concerns, address them in the main text of your paper or a separate letter to the editor. Be honest and respectful, acknowledging any limitations or errors in your paper that the reviewers and editors pointed out.

Be genuine in your expressions of gratitude and appreciation. Acknowledge the efforts of reviewers and editors sincerely, even if you may disagree with some of their comments or suggestions. Maintain a respectful tone throughout your communication.

Different journals may have specific guidelines or requirements for writing acknowledgments. Some may have a particular format, length, or location for the acknowledgment section, while others may ask you to disclose conflicts of interest, funding sources, or ethical approvals. Before writing your acknowledgments, check the journal guidelines and follow them carefully. Some journals may not allow you to acknowledge reviewers and editors by name, or only by their initials or numbers.

Adhere to any specific instructions or guidelines provided by the journal regarding acknowledgment of reviewers and editors. Follow the recommended format and length for acknowledgment sections to ensure compliance with publishing standards.

Your acknowledgments are part of your scientific paper and should be written with the same care and attention. Proofread and revise your acknowledgments for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Ensure the names and titles of the reviewers and editors are spelled correctly and that you have used consistent and appropriate language and format. Ask a colleague or friend to read your acknowledgments and provide feedback. If possible, send a draft of your acknowledgments to the reviewers and editors to ensure they are happy with how you have acknowledged them. Make any necessary changes or corrections before submitting your paper.

Before submitting your manuscript, carefully review and revise the acknowledgment section to ensure clarity, coherence, and appropriateness. Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors to convey your message effectively and professionally.

This section is for sharing examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into the previous sections. It’s an opportunity to add any additional thoughts or experiences that may be relevant. Consider mentioning any unique aspects of the feedback or the review process that significantly impacted your paper. This can provide a more personal touch and further demonstrate your appreciation for the reviewers and editors.