ACL 2010: The 48th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics Review form for SHORT POSITION papers This review form is appropriate for papers that take a position on an issue of importance to computational linguistics research but about which there is not agreement. A paper can take a single position or can consist of two parts, each of which takes an opposing position. APPROPRIATENESS (1-5) Does the paper fit in ACL 2010 as a short paper? Does this paper have any particular attributes that make it suitable for being a short paper? (Please answer this question in light of the desire to broaden the scope of the research areas represented at ACL, and with reference to the examples listed in the Call for Papers as being suitable for short papers: reporting smaller experiments; describing work-in-progress; single-author position papers; challenge papers; descriptions of new language resources or evaluation methodologies; presenting negative results.) 5 = Certainly. 4 = Probably. 3 = Unsure. 2 = Probably not. 1 = Certainly not. CLARITY (1-5) For the reasonably well-prepared reader, is it clear what the issue is and what position the author(s) is(are) taking on the issue? Is the paper well-written and well-structured? 5 = Very clear. 4 = Understandable by most readers. 3 = Mostly understandable to me with some effort. 2 = Important questions were hard to resolve even with effort. 1 = Much of the paper is confusing. ORIGINALITY / INNOVATIVENESS (1-5) Does this paper address an issue that has not received sufficient attention? Or does the paper take a new position with regard to an issue or present different arguments than have been considered by others? 5 = Seminal: Significant new arguments or insight -- no prior work has presented similar arguments or supporting evidence. 4 = Novel: An intriguing position or interesting arguments that are substantially different from previous work. 3 = Respectable: A nice set of arguments that represents a significant extension of prior arguments with respect to the position taken by the author(s). 2 = Pedestrian: Obvious arguments or only a minor modification of arguments that have been presented before. 1 = Nothing new: Merely a repetition of well-known arguments. SOUNDNESS / CORRECTNESS (1-5) Does the paper present cogent arguments for the position being taken on the issue? Are the arguments convincing? Is supporting evidence presented? 5 = The arguments are very convincing and are supported with strong evidence or solid examples. 4 = Generally solid arguments, although I am not totally convinced and ready to accept the author's viewpoint without reservation. 3 = An interesting position that cannot be immediately dismissed. The arguments are reasonable, but the claims need better support. 2 = Troublesome. There are some ideas worth considering here, but the arguments for the author's position lack strength. 1 = Fatally flawed. MEANINGFUL COMPARISON (1-5) Does the author take into account other research pertinent to the issue under consideration? Are the references adequate? In the case of a two-part paper with opposing positions, do the authors address the arguments presented for the opposing position? 5 = Precise and complete consideration of other work. In the case of a two-part paper, each part addresses all of the arguments made by the opposing position. Good job given the space constraints. 4 = Mostly solid bibliography and consideration of other work. In the case of as two-part paper, each part addresses some of the arguments made by the opposing position, but it could be improved. 3 = Bibliography and comparison are somewhat helpful, but it could be hard for a reader to determine exactly how the position taken by the author relates to previous work. In the case of a two-part paper, only very limited reference is made to the arguments for the opposing position. 2 = Only partial awareness and understanding of related work, or a flawed consideration of it. In the case of a two-part paper, the two parts are independent and fail to address the opposing position. 1 = Little awareness of related work. IMPACT OF IDEAS OR ANALYSIS (1-5) How significant is the position taken? If the ideas are novel, will they also be useful or inspirational? Does the paper bring any new insights? 5 = Will affect the field by altering other people's choice of research approach or methodology. 4 = Some of the ideas or arguments will spark further discussion and debate on the issue. 3 = Interesting but not too influential. The work may be cited, but is unlikely to strongly impact future work. 2 = Marginally interesting. 1 = Will have no impact on the field. RECOMMENDATION (1-6) There are many good submissions competing for slots at ACL 2010; how important is it to feature this one? Will people learn a lot by reading this paper or seeing it presented? In deciding on your ultimate recommendation, please think over all your scores above. But remember that no paper is perfect, and remember that we want a conference full of interesting, diverse, and timely work. If a paper has some weaknesses, but you really got a lot out of it, feel free to fight for it. If a paper is solid but you could live without it, let us know that you're ambivalent. Remember also that the author has a few weeks to address reviewer comments before the camera-ready deadline. Should the paper be accepted or rejected? 6 = Exciting: I'd fight to get it accepted; probably would be one of the best short papers at the conference. 5 = Strong: I'd like to see it accepted; it will be one of the better short papers at the conference. 4 = Worthy: A good short paper that is worthy of being presented at ACL. 3 = Ambivalent: OK but does not seem up to the standards of ACL. 2 = Leaning against: I'd rather not see it in the conference. 1 = Poor: I'd fight to have it rejected. REVIEWER CONFIDENCE (1-5) 5 = Positive that my evaluation is correct. I read the paper very carefully and am familiar with related work. 4 = Quite sure. I tried to check the important points carefully. It's unlikely, though conceivable, that I missed something that should affect my ratings. 3 = Pretty sure, but there's a chance I missed something. Although I have a good feel for this area in general, I did not carefully check the paper's details and evidence. 2 = Willing to defend my evaluation, but it is fairly likely that I missed some details, didn't understand some central points, or can't be sure about the novelty of the work. 1 = Not my area, or paper is very hard to understand. My evaluation is just an educated guess. RECOMMENDATION FOR BEST SHORT PAPER AWARD (1-3) 3 = Definitely. 2 = Maybe. 1 = Definitely not.