When reading the paper a second time, I consider each section carefully and develop specific comments and recommendations for the author and the editor (
Figure 2).
It is important to read the manuscript with a critical and creative eye. In addition to assessing the paper's logic and assumptions, reviewers should look for possible improvements to clarify the presentation. It is essential, of course, to provide specific suggestions to the author. For example, when a manuscript contains references to older, outdated studies, I will not simply state, “References are outdated.” Rather, I identify more recent studies for the authors to consider citing. Of note, I focus my comments on the content of the manuscript. If I find an otherwise valuable paper difficult to read because of writing style, grammatical errors, or labored syntax, I will suggest that the authors seek writing assistance. It is not necessary for reviewers to detail grammatical errors.