Use when responding to an American Journal of Sociology (AJS) decision — an R&R response letter to multiple double-blind reviewers and the editor, or an author Reply to a published Comment in AJS's Comment-and-Reply tradition. Structures a persuasive, evidence-based response; it does not fabricate results or contact editors.
SkillScore92Maintained
Automatic
◆Writing & Editing pack
Last verified 8/15/2026
What it changes
Passed 22 of 24 test cases with the skill, and 17 of 24 without it.
Without skill71%
With skill92%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Contains the section tag 【Mode】
Contains the section tag 【Next】
Contains the section tag 【Conceded】
and 9 more in the full report
6 fixed16 passed either way1 still failing1 broke
Pass-rate lift
+21 pp
Tokens
+34%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-19%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/15/2026v122 of 24 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 6 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 6
Prompt
A formal Comment was published regarding my recent AJS article on urban housing markets, and I am preparing my official response. Please generate a complete reply analysis formatted with labeled sections for the response mode, the main core thesis of our reply up front, a point-by-point breakdown pairing each criticism with our evidence and location, separate summaries of conceded versus contested claims, an explanation of how opposing views were adjudicated, an evaluation of tone and double-blind standards, and the required next step for submission.
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Contains the section tag 【Mode】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Headline changes】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Point-by-point】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Conceded】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Contested】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Conflicts reconciled】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Anonymity / tone】
Missed
Passed
Contains the section tag 【Next】
Missed
Passed
case-02 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/15/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md84 linessingle file
Rebuttal & Reply (ajs-rebuttal)
Two distinct AJS situations need a response: a revise-and-resubmit (respond to anonymous reviewers
editor) and an author Reply to a published Comment (AJS's long Comment-and-Reply tradition).
Both reward calm, specific, evidence-based engagement over defensiveness. Verify any process detail
(R&R timelines, Comment/Reply mechanics) on the live pages before submission.
When to trigger
You received an R&R and must write a response letter + revise
A Comment on your published AJS article appeared and you are writing the Reply
You are deciding whether and how to contest a reviewer point
R&R response letter (multiple reviewers + editor)
Open with a synthesis. Thank the editor/reviewers; state the 2–3 biggest changes up front so
the editor sees the paper improved.
Point-by-point, verbatim. Quote each comment, then respond. Use a consistent format
(Comment → Response → Change made, with manuscript location/page).
Concede or contest, explicitly. If you agree, show the change. If you disagree, give a
reasoned, evidence-based case — never ignore a point.
Reconcile conflicting reviewers. When two anonymous reviewers disagree, adjudicate openly and
explain your choice; the editor decides, so make the reasoning legible.
Keep double-blind discipline in any re-uploaded files (the revision is still anonymized).
Author Reply to a Comment (AJS-distinctive)
Represent the Comment's argument fairly before responding — quote it accurately.
Separate substantive disagreement from misreadings; correct misreadings briefly, then engage the
real point.
Aim for a Reply that advances the field's understanding, not a last word; concede what is right.
Keep it proportionate and civil — the exchange is read by the whole discipline.
Concede-or-contest decision aid (AJS R&R)
For each reviewer point, decide deliberately; the editor reads your reasoning, so make it legible.
Use when writing the response to an American Political Science Review (APSR) revise-and-resubmit. APSR reserves R&R for papers close to publishable, and decisions weigh strong support from all or nearly all reviewers, so the response must convert each reviewer without alienating the editor. Structures the response letter; it does not fabricate new results.