How to Review a Literary Paper or a Scientific Paper?

Abstract

Reviewing, whether of literary essays or scientific manuscripts, is a discipline that extends beyond the application of formal scoring rubrics. Having engaged in both domains-as a referee of student essay competitions and as a reviewer for scientific journals-the author reflects on the common principles and distinct challenges that underlie these processes. Literary works are judged for authenticity, emotional resonance, and aesthetic depth, while scientific manuscripts are evaluated for novelty, rigor, and utility. Despite these differences, both forms of writing share essential foundations: clarity, honesty, and structural coherence. In the current publishing climate, the responsibilities of reviewers are amplified by the proliferation of more than 19,000 new journals worldwide. Alongside opportunities for knowledge dissemination come significant ethical challenges, including fabricated data, plagiarized content, and the growing presence of AI-generated manuscripts. Reviewers must now act not only as evaluators but also as guardians of integrity. Principles of good practice include careful attention to originality, internal consistency of data and methods, awareness of suspicious or formulaic text, impartiality, and timely communication of ethical concerns to editors. The essay also addresses the dilemma faced when a paper that has been reviewed is later retracted. Such events should not be viewed solely as failures of the review process but as demonstrations of the corrective mechanisms inherent in scholarly publishing. Ultimately, the reviewer's role is to ensure that literature-whether literary or scientific-remains a trustworthy medium for meaning, truth, and human connection.