Writing for Journals ISAJE Workshop

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Writing for JournalsISAJE Workshop

• Richard Pates
• Wales, UK

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Writing for journals

• Writing for publications requires care and
  precision
• Your chances of your paper being accepted are
  increased if your work is clear and not verbose
• Always follow the guidelines for authors

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Writing for journals

• Make sure your paper follows a logical sequence -
  Introduction (including literature review), Aims,
  Method, Results, Conclusions, Discussion. When
  finished make sure you have a good abstract based
  on the paper showing clearly What the aims were
  and what you found.

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Writing for journals

• Use language that is clear and free of jargon. If
  you are writing in a language other than your
  native language have it checked by a fluent or
  native speaker of the language of publication.
• Make it as brief as possible while including all
  of the necessary points. Remember reviewers have
  to plough through it!

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Writing for journals

• If you are writing up a dissertation dont be
  tempted to try to include the whole work.
  Dissertations are longer than research papers and
  often contain superfluous information relevant to
  the academic requirements of the institution but
  not to the publishable paper

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Writing for journals

• Journals will accept pieces other than research
  reports but you need to check with the journal
  before you submit.
• Some journals will accept single case reports (if
  they are of something unusual or not previously
  reported), literature reviews (if they cover a
  previously unreported area or are updating with
  new information)

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Writing for journals

• Opinion pieces (if they cover a controversial
  area that might promote discussion), editorials
  (promoting a view and you need to check with the
  editor first), clinical experiences (if it is a
  report of something innovative that needs to
  promote discussion) and letters to the editor
  reporting new phenomena or trying to promote
  debate.

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Writing for journals

• Remember the time lag in publication if you hope
  to promote debate. It may become cold news!
  Sometimes the editor might find a correspondent
  to provide an opposite opinion which can
  encourage debate.

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Writing for journals

• Remember to follow the guidelines for authors.
  Editors find it irritating when papers are
  presented in the wrong format or badly written or
  presented. This might prejudice your chances of
  getting your paper published!