I am writing the responses to my reviewers for the ICLR. I had two reviewers asking a very similar question, and I’m wondering whether it is good to say to one of them something like “please refer to answer (4) in my response to reviewer xxxx” and then continue to tailor my answer to this reviewer, based on the reasoning offered in (4) for reviewer xxxx. Is this valid or should I just copy/paste the answer?
Do as you prefer, yet don’t expect too much reviewers to change their minds. In my experience it works better to write the rebuttal as something directed to the AC, extra points if you can have an AC reaction.
How does one write towards the AC?
Highlight misunderstanding and contradictions of the review. Keep it short if you have strong parts in your answers. Answering all the small details often leads to exchange of messages so long that the AC will skip them and directly read the paper.
Make life as easy as possible for your reviewers. I would just copy paste the answer.
This but with a note that a similar answer was given to a comment from another reviewer. Some people might dislike a copy paste without a warning
In this case, I recommend uploading comments as a general response to answer same questions. Use the “Official Comment” button.
I think its better not to repeat answers in different parts. If many reviewers ask for the same thing it’s better to make a general response addressing that and then refer that in response to both reviewers with a brief summary in the current response.