#* These are (obviously) seen by the authors. The [http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/nar/referee_info.html ''NAR'' Instructions to reviewers] states that: "Referees should approach each manuscript with an impartial and positive but critical mind. Comments to the Authors must be constructive, clearly identifying the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, and providing tangible suggestions for improvement. Offensive language is not acceptable. Referees will not be able to edit their report once it is submitted, so should not include anything in the Comments for the Authors that they would not wish the Authors to read." Thus, while it is OK and expected that you should be critical of the article, you should be careful to word your criticisms in a polite and diplomatic way. The comments to the authors generally is written in three parts: | #* These are (obviously) seen by the authors. The [http://www.oxfordjournals.org/our_journals/nar/referee_info.html ''NAR'' Instructions to reviewers] states that: "Referees should approach each manuscript with an impartial and positive but critical mind. Comments to the Authors must be constructive, clearly identifying the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, and providing tangible suggestions for improvement. Offensive language is not acceptable. Referees will not be able to edit their report once it is submitted, so should not include anything in the Comments for the Authors that they would not wish the Authors to read." Thus, while it is OK and expected that you should be critical of the article, you should be careful to word your criticisms in a polite and diplomatic way. The comments to the authors generally is written in three parts: |