# Write margin comments explaining my redlines to the other side

Turns your contract markup into short, persuasive comments that explain each change and keep the negotiation moving.

- Topic: Legal & Compliance
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Legal, Write, Explain & Teach, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/write-margin-comments-explaining-my-redlines-to-the-other-side

## Prompt

```text
Help me write the explanatory comments that go with my redlines to the counterparty.

**Contract type and deal context:** [e.g. "supplier MSA, $400k/year, long-term relationship"]
**My changes:** [LIST each change: section, original text, my revised text, my real reason]
**Relationship tone:** [collaborative / firm / formal]
**What I can concede if pushed:** [OPTIONAL - for my eyes only]

For each change, write a margin comment that:
- Is 1-3 sentences and addressed to the other side's lawyer or contract manager
- Explains the business or risk reason in neutral terms ("to align the cap with the fees paid") rather than accusing ("your clause is one-sided")
- Points to market practice only in general terms, never invented statistics or cases
- Offers a path forward where useful ("happy to discuss a mutual version")
- Never reveals my fallback position or internal reasons I marked as private

Also flag:
- Any change where my stated reason is weak and I should rethink or drop it
- Places where accepting their language would be fine and I may be over-lawyering

Return:
1. A table: Section | My change (short) | Margin comment.
2. A short cover email (under 120 words) sending the markup and naming the 2-3 points that matter most.

A qualified lawyer must confirm the substance of the redlines before they are sent; this only helps with how they are explained.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "supplier MSA, $400k/year, long-term relationship"
- collaborative / firm / formal
- OPTIONAL - for my eyes only

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.