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 paperGood fits for the journalOf interest to the journal’s readerNo 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

“Whenever a manuscript is submitted to the Journal ofMicro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS (JM3), themanuscript 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 itis, but let me explain why the author(s) should think it is important as well.”

Chris MackEditor-in-Chief

How to Write a Good Scientific Paper: the Cover Letter

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. Introduction (title and the target journal)2. Reasons why your research is important3. The questions your research answers 4. Experimental results and overall findings5. Conclusions from your research6. A statement that the manuscript has not been

published 7. A statement that all authors approved the

manuscript and its submission to the journal8. 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 considerationExample: “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/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Cover-Letter-Template-AJE.pdf

•https://thinkscience.co.jp/pdf/Ten_tips_for_writing_an_effective_cover_letter.pdf

THANK YOU