How to Write Review Comments

These notes are adapted from the review-writing principles I learned from Paul — with my own experiences and reflections added over the years.

Why it matters:

Writing a thoughtful review is more than evaluating someone’s work — it reflects your own research maturity and clarity of thought. A good review demonstrates that you can:

• Understand complex technical ideas deeply.

• Identify fundamental questions behind the method.

• Judge novelty, rigor, and relevance with fairness and precision.

Careful reviewing also teaches you how to write — it helps you see clearly what makes a paper effective. If you cannot write good review comments, you cannot write a good paper. 

Keep in mind:

• Be Respectful: Pay attention to what you say and how you say it. Spend enough time studying the paper and show your best.  Criticism is always welcome, but it has to be constructive and backed up with facts. In general, when you write a review, always bear in mind that you are the author receiving it. I like to give my honest opinion on a paper as if the author were my friend — offering thoughtful, respectful feedback to help them improve their work.

• Leave an impression: Your reviews will often be read by senior researchers — sometimes more carefully than your own papers. Make sure your writing reflects the qualities of a strong researcher: clarity, fairness, and depth of thought.

Structure 

You don’t have to follow this format exactly, but every strong review should include these three core parts.

I. Overview (1–2 paragraphs)

Begin with a short summary of what the paper is about, the problem it addresses, and the proposed solution. This section should stand on its own. When the program committee reads it, they should immediately understand the paper’s topic, your recommendation, and the main reasons behind it.

Tip: Treat this section like the abstract of a paper. Draft it early as a guide for your review, then revise it after completing Parts II and III so that it accurately reflects your final assessment.

II. Main Points 

Present your key reasons for recommending or rejecting the paper, arranging them in order of importance, with the most significant first. Explain clearly why you reached your conclusion, referring to other papers when appropriate. Keep your comments concise and specific. 

III. Additional Comments

Provide secondary remarks such as questions for clarification, suggestions for improvement, or notes on minor issues and typos.

Before you submit your reviews, make sure that they have no typos, lengthy sentences, unclear points etc.