Transcript Writing Cover Letters for Scientific Manuscripts

Writing Cover Letters for
Scientific Manuscripts
Workshop Blended Learning
Sabtu, 7 Juni 2014
What is it?
• It’s an opportunity to explain the journal editor
“how “ and “why” your manuscript should be
published in the particular journal.
Why do we need it?
• Lobby for your paper
Good fits for the journal
Of interest to the journal’s reader
No conflicts of interest that would be a barrier
• Get the editor interested in your paper
• Move your paper from “rejected without review”
to “sent out for review”
▫ American Journal Experts
How to Write a Good Scientific Paper:
the Cover Letter
“Whenever a manuscript is submitted to the Journal of
Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS (JM3), the
manuscript first goes to me, the editor-in-chief. And
the first thing I do is read the cover letter that
accompanies the manuscript. Thus, the cover letter
creates the first impression that I have of the
manuscript. Is this important? Of course I think it
is, but let me explain why the author(s) should think it
is important as well.”
Chris Mack
Editor-in-Chief
Check your target journal’s
requirements
• Always check your target journal’s author
instructions for cover letters requirements
Such as specifically worded statements
▫ Bioscience writers
Make outlines
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction (title and the target journal)
Reasons why your research is important
The questions your research answers
Experimental results and overall findings
Conclusions from your research
A statement that the manuscript has not been
published
7. A statement that all authors approved the
manuscript and its submission to the journal
8. Other details
Start with basic letter elements
• Date
• Addressee name and mailing address.
• Salutation (such as “Dear Dr. Smith:” or “Dear
Editor:”)
• Bioscience writers
Opening paragraph
• Open with sentence explaining why you are
writing
• Title of the manuscript
• Title of the journal
• Briefly state the background for the problem or
question your research answers. The focus of
the paragraph is to explain why your research
was needed and clearly state the question your
research answers.
• Bioscience writers
Opening paragraph
• Example: “I am writing to submit our manuscript
entitled, “Taking antioxidants plus zinc reduces
the risk of advanced age-related macular
degeneration for high-risk patients,” for
consideration for publication in Archives of
Ophthalmology.”
Second paragraph
• Clearly and concisely explain your results,
findings, and conclusions.
Third paragraph
• Explain the fit of the paper for the journal
Example: “Because our findings could be
applied in the clinic right away, they are likely
to be of great interest to the vision scientists,
researchers, clinicians, and trainees who
read your journal.”
Last paragraph
• Include exclusivity
• Author approval for submission
Example: “This manuscript describes original
work and is not under consideration by any other
journal. All authors approved the manuscript and
this submission.”
• Thank the editor for his or her consideration
Example: “Thank you for receiving our
manuscript and considering it for review. We
appreciate your time and look forward to your
response.”
NO idea?
Advise
• Cover letters should not exceed one page
• Carefully construct your cover letter
• Don’t rush
Advise
• Have colleague to read over
Afraid of red ink?
Links for cover letter templates
• http://expertedge.aje.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/08/Cover-Letter-TemplateAJE.pdf
• https://thinkscience.co.jp/pdf/Ten_tips_for_writin
g_an_effective_cover_letter.pdf
THANK YOU