1 WRITING CHEMICAL RESEARCH PAPERS OUTLINE AND FIRST DRAFT

2 OUTLINE An outline should contain central theme have topics and arguments in order be a blueprint for draft manuscript

3 Outline Guide Central message Grouped ideas Experimental summary Problems solved by this work Main findings summary Conclusions Key references Introduction outline

4 Develop a Central Message Central message: summary of manuscript content in a single sentence of words

5 Grouped Ideas Key points listed in some logical order Chronological order Order of importance Cluster map Issue tree

6 Example of an Issue Tree

7 Experimental Summary Materials – make list of all materials and equipment used. Details can go in later Methods – give an outline of all relevant methods. Fill in later

8 Problems Solved by your Work What was known before you started your study? What were the problems from earlier work that needed answers? Does your work answer these problems? How? SUMMARIZE THESE POINTS

9 Main Findings of your Work Central message should contain main findings List all other results and findings to be included

10 Conclusions and Implications What are your major conclusions? What do these imply for future work? Change in method? What is new in your work? Why is it important? Are there any limitations? SUMMARIZE THESE POINTS

11 Identify Key References Write down references for all your major points running through the central message Other (more peripheral) references can be added at draft stage

12 Introduction Outline This should contain The main message Questions from previous work that needed addressing Aims and Objectives of your work

13 FIRST DRAFT Writing the first draft should involve the following points: 1. Collect all information 2. Decide on a journal 3. Start writing 4. Write quickly 5. Keep writing 6. Write naturally 7. Stick to outline 8. Write in parts 9. Rest 10. Revision 11. Check consistency

14 Points 1 and 2 (Starting) 1.Collect all information: data, references, draft figures and tables 2. Decide on journal Get “instructions for authors” Be familiar with journal style SEE “GENERAL INTRODUCTION”

15 Points 3-8 (Writing) 3. Start writing – get something down 4. Write quickly – keep momentum 5. Keep writing – edit later 6. Write in your own voice 7. Write in parts 8. Stick to your outline plan

16 Points 9-11 (Editing) Rest for a few days Make revisions Check for consistency and quality of writing

17 Avoid Jargon

18 Good English?