Top Tips for Writing an Excellent Journal Article and Getting It Published
The process of moving from idea to published manuscript can be a daunting, but you can do it! Here are some top tips I’ve learnt from the process of writing and publishing academic articles:
Writing the article….
Pick the right journal early on. It can be helpful to select the journal you want to target at an early stage as this will help guide your writing style and allow you to make sure your content is targeted to the appropriate audience. Download and read the author guide for your selected journal before you start writing.
Pick an aspect or element of your work and focus on it. Please don’t try to fit your whole PhD into one article!
Structure the paper well. Take some time to think about the purpose, structure and logic of the article before you put pen to paper.
Ensure you have a solid title and an excellent abstract. These are highly visible and shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Don’t forget about the international context. If the journal you are targeting has an international readership, be careful to write it a way that includes this audience. Don’t assume everyone has the same background as you.
Have your article proofread before submission. It can be hard to understand the content of an article if the language and syntax are poor. Ask several people to critique your article before you send it to a journal, or use a professional proofreader.
Submitting to your chosen journal…
Ensure your article is really suitable for the journal you want to submit to. At this stage it’s a good idea to reread the journal aims/scope to check whether your finished article still fits their remit.
Follow the submission instructions for your selected journal carefully. It’s a simple tip but not following the guidance is a quick way to get your paper rejected.
Dealing with feedback and resubmission…
Be prepared for a long wait. It can be weeks or months before you receive a verdict and comments.
Keep calm and respond directly to reviewer comments. This stage can be painful and you may want to cry (I certainly have). It may help to wait a few days and talk to colleagues or friends before responding, so you don’t come across as angry or defensive.
If you do not agree with a reviewer’s comment, say so. Use a well-reasoned argument and references if appropriate.
Give point-by-point responses. You can number the reviewers’ points and respond to them sequentially.
Revise and resubmit. Don’t give up at this stage, you’re nearly there…
Celebrate!! Well done on getting your article successfully published!
Do you need help polishing your article before submission? I offer affordable, quick and effective proofreading and editing services. I’m a PhD qualified, native English-speaking professional with experience writing for academia. Find out more here: www.atozproofreading.co.uk
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