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 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 A statement that all authors approved the manuscript and its submission to the journal 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 Third 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/wp- content/uploads/2012/08/Cover-Letter-Template- AJE.pdf https://thinkscience.co.jp/pdf/Ten_tips_for_writin g_an_effective_cover_letter.pdf

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