Before you start writing, be sure to read published articles in your field and in your target journal. This will help you to determine the kind of writing that is likely to be expected, as well as the type of structure that will work best for your paper.
Use a writing plan
Write an outline of your article before you begin. This will ensure that your writing is logical and based on the evidence you have collected. It should also give you a sense of where you are headed and what you have to do next.
Be clear and concise
As with any academic writing, your aim is to present research in a way that is accessible to a broad range of readers. For this reason, you should avoid using jargon or terminology that is specific to your discipline, or even to the research area. In fact, it is generally better to avoid any jargon at all.
Learn from the best
As you prepare to submit your article, ask a postdoctoral adviser, a graduate adviser or other experienced researchers in your field to review your material and offer constructive feedback. They can offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your article and provide useful tips for revisions.
Stock the sections
As soon as you have an idea of your paper, start to store relevant material in folders labeled Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This will save you time and frustration as you draft your article, and will prevent you from having to start from scratch later.
Keep track of revision requests and comments from the editor or reviewers. Make a note of what changes they suggest, and make sure you respond to them in the right way. This will help you improve your article and may also be helpful in submitting it to another journal.
Be thorough with citations and references
Every article that is submitted to a journal should be cited extensively, and referred to in a bibliography at the end of the article. Check with the journal’s guidelines for more information about citing and referencing.
Be scholarly and formal
The language used in a scholarly journal article should be appropriate for the discipline or area of specialisation, while at the same time being clear and accessible to readers. Although scientific and technical jargon is often necessary for communication, it should not be overused or interpreted as a sign of superiority.
Be reader-centred
Despite the best intentions, many authors fail to engage their readers. This is because they focus too much on what they think the reader should know, and not enough on the actual needs of their audience.
Be precise and complete in your citations
The citations of your research should be accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. It is particularly important that you cite your own sources when discussing data or methods.
Be specific and clear about your conclusions
Conclusions are the most important part of an article, as they allow the reader to draw their own conclusion about your research and its relevance. It is crucial to make clear and precise statements about your findings, so that the reader can assess their accuracy and acceptability in light of previous research.
