Title (Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, or Co-Editors-in-Chief)
Journal Name
Journal Address
Submission Date: Month Day, Year
Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Editor’s last name or Managing Editor or Editor-in-Chief:
Paragraph 1 [1-2 Sentences]: Introduce the manuscript title under submission with a brief summary of the manuscript’s major point or findings and how they relate to the journal’s aims and scope.
Paragraph 2 [1-3 Sentences]: A statement that the manuscript has neither been previously published nor is under consideration by any other journal. If there are multiple authors, a statement that they have all approved the content of the paper. Occasionally, you might note if you have publicly presented the research elsewhere.
Paragraph 3 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the editor’s time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Corresponding Author
Institution Title
Institution/Affiliation Name
Institution Address
Email address
Telephone with country code
Fax, if available with country code
Additional Contact, if the corresponding author is not available for a multi-authored work
Institution Title
Institution/Affiliation Name
Institution Address
Email address
Telephone with country code
Fax, if available with country code
Journal Editor’s First and Last Name, Graduate Degree Title: Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, or Co-Editors-in-Chief Journal Name Journal Address Submission Date: Month Day, Year Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Editor’s last name or Managing Editor or Editor-in-Chief: Paragraph 1 [1-2 Sentences]: Introduce the manuscript title under submission with a brief summary of the manuscript’s major point or findings. Paragraph 2 [ 2-3 Sentences]: Explain how the manuscript relates to recent publications in the journal. Paragraph 3 [2-5 Sentences]: Provide context for the research. Explain how the research relates to the journal’s aim and scope. Describe how the manuscript/research appeals to the journal’s audience. Paragraph 4 [1-3 Sentences]: A statement that the manuscript has not been previously published nor is under consideration by any other journal. If there are multiple authors, a statement that they have all approved the content of the paper. Occasionally, you might include if you have publicly presented the research elsewhere. Paragraph 5 [1-2 Sentences]: A selection of reviewers, if requested. Paragraph 6 [1-2 Sentences]: A thank you for the editor’s time and consideration. Sincerely, Your Name |
Remember, your first draft does not have to be your last. Make sure to get feedback from different readers, especially if this is one of your first publications. It is not uncommon to go through several stages of revisions. Check out the Writing Center’s handout on editing and proofreading and video on proofreading to help with this last stage of writing.
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
American Psychological Association. n.d. “Cover Letter.” APA Style. Accessed April 2019. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/research-publication/cover-letters.
Belcher, Wendy Laura. 2009. Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Press.
BioScience Writers (website). 2012. “Writing Cover Letters for Scientific Manuscripts.” September 29, 2012. https://biosciencewriters.com/Writing-Cover-Letters-for-Scientific-Manuscripts.aspx .
Jones, Caryn. n.d. “Writing Effective Cover Letters for Journal Submissions: Tips and a Word Template.” Think Science. Accessed August 2019. https://thinkscience.co.jp/en/articles/writing-journal-cover-letters.html .
Kelsky, Karen. 2013. “How To Write a Journal Article Submission Cover Letter.” The Professor Is In (blog), April 26, 2013. https://theprofessorisin.com/2013/04/26/how-to-write-a-journal-article-submission-cover-letter/ .
Kelsky, Karen. 2013. “Of Cover Letters and Magic (A Follow-up Post).” The Professor Is In (blog), April 29, 2013. http://theprofessorisin.com/2013/04/29/of-cover-letters-and-magic-a-followup-post/ .
Mudrak, Ben. n.d. “Writing a Cover Letter.” AJE . https://www.aje.com/dist/docs/Writing-a-cover-letter-AJE-2015.pdf .
Wordvice. n.d. “How to Write the Best Journal Submission Cover Letter.” Accessed January 2019. https://wordvice.com/journal-submission-cover-letter/ .
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Make a Gift
Writing and formatting
The cover letter gives you the opportunity to present an overview of your manuscript to the editor.
You’re encouraged to submit previous communications as they can help expedite the review process. If you have any of the following, you can submit them as ‘Supplementary file for editors only’:
If you or any of your co-authors are NIH employees, you will have to submit a completed and signed NIH Publishing Agreement and Manuscript Cover Sheet according to NIH’s Employee Procedures .
The cover letter is a formal way to communicate with journal editors and editorial staff during the manuscript submission process. Most often, a cover letter is needed when authors initially submit their manuscript to a journal and when responding to reviewers during an invitation to revise and resubmit the manuscript. For more information on the peer review process and possible manuscript decisions, see Section 12.7 of the Publication Manual .
Because cover letters are separate documents from the manuscript file, all correspondence during the publication process must include the complete manuscript title, the authors’ names, and the manuscript number (assigned by the journal when the manuscript is first received). Although any author may correspond with the journal editor or editorial staff, most correspondence is handled by the corresponding author , who serves as the main point of contact and responds to questions about the published article. All authors should decide prior to submission who will serve as the corresponding author.
Cover letters are covered in the seventh edition APA Style Publication Manual in Section 12.11
Authors usually must include a cover letter when they first submit their manuscript to a journal for publication . The cover letter is typically uploaded as a separate file into the online submission portal for the journal (for more information on using an online submission portal, see Section 12.10 of the Publication Manual ).
The cover letter should be addressed to the journal editor; any interim correspondence is addressed to the editor or associate editor with whom you have been in communication.
In your submission cover letter, include the following information:
Check the journal’s website for the current editor’s name and for any other journal-specific information to include in your cover letter.
Also include a cover letter with manuscripts being resubmitted to a journal after receiving an invitation to revise and resubmit. Ensure the cover letter contains the complete manuscript title, the authors’ names, and the manuscript number (assigned by the journal when the manuscript was first received). In the cover letter for the resubmission, thank the editors and reviewers for their feedback and outline the changes you made (or did not make) to the manuscript to address the feedback.
The cover letter for a revised and resubmitted manuscript summarizes the changes to the manuscript. Along with the cover letter and revised manuscript, authors should also provide a response to reviewers , which is a detailed document explaining how they responded to each comment.
These sample cover letters demonstrate how authors can communicate with the journal editor at the initial manuscript submission and following an invitation to revise and resubmit a manuscript for publication.
A good cover letter will help "sell" your manuscript to the journal editor. it is not enough to send a manuscript to a journal editor like this:.
Dear Editor-in-Chief,
I am sending you our manuscript entitled "Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer" by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology.
Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience.
With my best regards,
Sincerely yours,
A Researcher, PhD
Then, write a letter that explains why the Editor would want to publish your manuscript:
Common phrases:
All cover letters should contain these sentences:
Submission checklist Before submitting your manuscript, thoroughly check its quality one more time. Evaluate it critically-could anything be done better?
Be sure that:
When you need to submit a cover letter with your manuscript, you'll probably write it just before submission. Like many other authors, you may find yourself wondering what to write and taking longer than you expected, causing last-minute delays and stress.
To help you write effective cover letters—and to write them quickly and easily—in this article we offer some tips on layout and appropriate wording. Also, you can download our template cover letter (Word file) to help you save time writing and help you remember to include standard author statements and other information commonly required by journals.
If you are submitting a revised paper to the same journal, note that the response letter to the reviewers is different from the cover letter used at initial submission. You can find tips and a template on writing effective response letters to the reviewers in our previous article .
Many journals require a cover letter and state this in their guidelines for authors (alternatively known as author guidelines, information for authors, guide for authors, guidelines for papers, submission guide, etc.). For some journals, a cover letter is optional or may not be not required, but it's probably a good idea to include one.
Cover letters can be helpful to journal staff in the following ways.
1. Cover letters that include standard statements required by the journal allow the journal staff to quickly confirm that the authors have (or say they have) followed certain ethical research and publishing practices.
These statements assert that the authors followed standard practices, which may include (i) adhering to ethical guidelines for research involving humans ( Declaration of Helsinki ), involving animals ( ARRIVE guidelines ), or falling under institutional guidelines; (ii) obtaining ethics approval from institutional review boards or ethics committees; (iii) obtaining informed consent or assent from participants; (iv) complying with authorship criteria (e.g., ICMJE criteria ); (v) confirming no duplicate submissions have been made; and (vi) recommending reviewers for your paper, which may include specifying peers that you prefer not be contacted.
2. Cover letters can summarize your manuscript quickly for the journal editor, highlighting your most important findings and their implications to show why your manuscript would be of interest.
Some journals, such as Nature, state that while a cover letter is optional, it provides "an excellent opportunity to briefly discuss the importance of the submitted work and why it is appropriate for the journal." Some publishers, such as Springer , recommend that you write a cover letter to help "sell" your manuscript to the journal editor.
3. Cover letters that contain all of the information required by the journal (as stated in the guideline for authors) can indicate that you have spent time carefully formatting the manuscript to fit the journal's style. This creates a good first impression. Addressing the letter to a named editor at the journal also shows that you took the time to write your letter (and by extension, your manuscript) with care and considered the fit with the journal beyond just impact factor.
Get featured articles and other author resources sent to you in English, Japanese, or both languages via our monthly newsletter.
Cover letters should be short—preferably no more than 1 page—and they often use single line spacing. The content can be broadly divided into six sections:
Let's look at some tips for each section. And don't forget to download the template , which shows these tips already in place.
Common phrases in this paragraph:
Although the cover letter is not, strictly speaking, a part of your manuscript, it can affect how your submission is perceived by the journal editor. A cover letter that is tailored to the journal, introduces your work persuasively, and is free from spelling and grammatical errors can help prime the editor to view your submission positively before he or she even looks over your manuscript.
We hope our tips and Word template can help you create professional, complete cover letters in a time-effective way. Our specialist editors, translators, and writers are available to help create or revise the content to be error-free and, as part of our additional comprehensive Guidelines for Authors service , we can ensure the cover letter includes all of the statements required by the journal.
Lastly, just as a reminder for members of ThinkSCIENCE's free annual rewards program , remember to claim your reward of free editing or translation of one cover letter alongside editing or translation of a full paper before the end of the March!
Our monthly newsletter offers valuable tips on writing and presenting your research most effectively, as well as advice on avoiding or resolving common problems that authors face.
Your research represents you, and your career reflects thousands of hours of your time.
Here at ThinkSCIENCE, our translation and editing represent us, and our reputation reflects thousands of published papers and millions of corrections and improvements.
Free tips and resources for first time authors looking for publishing deals.
Subscribe via Email
Writing a Strong Cover letter for Manuscript Submission
When you send your manuscript to a publisher or literary agent, you will need to include the following information;
– A letter of motivation
– A biography of the author
– A synopsis of your manuscript
– Selection of sample chapters
The first thing the editor or literary agent will see when they open the envelope for submission is your cover letter. It is so often overlooked by aspiring writers, and yet, if the letter you wrote is not up to par, then chances are the editor or literary agent will not continue to read the rest of your submission.
So what information to include in your cover letter for manuscript submission? Well, in general terms, there are three important things in your letter should focus on you, your book, and why your book is worthy of publication.
Summerdale publications Stewart Ferris reports that “when writing about himself, the goal of a paragraph that summarizes the highlights of what qualifies you to write this book. The editor has to know if you have had success before publishing, if you have the necessary preparation for writing his book, and if you write more books on the subject. ”
Then you need to think about what information to include in your cover letter that is directly related to the manuscript or book in question itself. You want to focus just maybe a paragraph of your letter on the content of the book itself, to give the reader a taste of what is to come in the synopsis, and finally in the complete manuscript. Focus briefly on the “who, where, when and what is happening” on the story line.
You must also include the reasons why his book should be published in his letter. Think about why the publisher would not be taking a big risk on the introduction of his book. Maybe you have some contacts that allow easy campaign to promote the book. Or maybe you’ve completed a large piece of market research that shows that there is real demand for your book. In addition, you may be aware of ways that could lead to a rapid and reliable market for his book – which can be a university professor with a guarantee that your book will become an essential text for your university, once published by example.
Finally, remember that your writing is on permanent display throughout the presentation of manuscripts. So try to include a sentence or two that summarize the essence of your beautiful book.
If you send your manuscript by e-mail, your cover letter comes before your story that the main body of your e-mail, and always acts as your introduction. Your cover letter should be single-spaced, written in standard block or semi-block format, and a double space between paragraphs. If you mail your manuscript, you should consider writing your cover letter on plain white 8 ½ “by 11” paper.
As mentioned earlier, the number of parts in a letter may vary. But regardless of how many sections there are, some information that is normally specified in the cover letter includes the title of your story and your word count history. If you send your manuscript by mail, as opposed to e-mail, you can also specify that the self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) is closed and there is no need to return the manuscript .
What not to include in your cover letter for manuscript submission is a detailed description of its history. I also noticed some recent submission guidelines where publishers have emphasized the authors not to include photos of themselves with their offers. Make sure to always read the most recent guidelines published and send only what publishers require that you send. Disobeying submission guidelines can sometimes mean an automatic rejection of its short history.
Not all publishers will be required to send letters with his manuscript short story, but when a letter is necessary, try to think of your cover letter as well as a courtesy, the introduction of a tool, rather than an argument of sale. Let your cover letter to introduce, and let your story speak for itself. This is more acceptable and less rejected.
The numbered requirements which you posted tell you exactly what the company wants you do. Generally the type preferred is Times New Roman. You should be able to format your word processor to create the book’s pages as the company is asking. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to determine how many pages you’ll have, and, if your manuscript is completed, you can just print it. The paper which you use in your printer would naturally be good quality and the proper size. The normal font size is 10 point, but you can control that, too, in your word processor.
How do i correctly send my story to these publishers? How do i make my novel in this format? For example, what does it mean by typewritten pages?
How should I write my story, the font size, are the pages supposed to be back and front written or what?
How do i write it in this structure they gave me?
This is what they said to me… FORMAT FOR SUBMISSIONS 1. Submissions should consist of a book-length manuscript with a contemporary setting that will be suitable for readers ages 12 to 18.
2. Manuscripts should be no shorter than 100 typewritten pages and no longer than 224 typewritten pages. Include a brief plot summary with your covering letter.
3. Each manuscript should have a cover page listing the title of the novel; the author’s name, address, and telephone number.
4. Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced on 8-1/2″ x 11″ good quality white paper, and pages should be numbered consecutively. The type should be at least 10 point. The author should retain a copy of any manuscript submitted.
Writer’s Market: What else do I need? I’m purchasing the 2009 version of WM, but having never submitted any of my writing as a freelancer before, what else do I need to know that’s not included in this book? For example, will it tell me how to write a query letter, the dos and don’ts of my manuscript, and so on? At this point I have no idea if I should be sticking to a certain number of pages, what the format of my manuscript should be, and so on.
Basically, I’m trying to find out if the WM only gives listings, or if it will guide me step-by-step through the submission process.I would appreciate any guidance regarding websites or other publications for the first time writer, if you feel that WM does not cover some of the things I need to know.
Thanks in advance!
It does cover the basics, including how to format a manuscript and write a querry letter. Each book has articles on the publishing industry, submission process, and some author interviews.
consider joining absolutewrite.com/forum (the watercooler) for more assistance. It’s a large and knowledgable group with a wealth of information to share.
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
Glad you stopped by! Don't forget to sign up on the email list so you can get a free writing guide!
Powered by Flexibility 3
Anthony Newman
Lora Heisler
Submitting your manuscript without a cover letter or an incomplete one can impact the outcome of your submission. Strong cover letters efficiently introduce your work to the editor, but also communicates why your paper is of interest to the journal audience and contributory to overall science.
In this Researcher Academy module, experts Anthony Newman and Lora Heisler give you important insights about writing strong and persuasive cover letters. This webinar will give an exhaustive check list on writing an effective cover letter which brings attention to your paper and helps it get published.
You will come away with the knowledge of what cover letters are, how they support your manuscript and how you can write an airtight cover letter, covering your research scope, objectives and goals.
Senior Publisher, Life Sciences, Elsevier
Anthony Newman is a Senior Publisher with Elsevier and is based in Amsterdam. Each year he presents numerous Author Workshops and other similar trainings worldwide. He is currently responsible for fifteen biochemistry and laboratory medicine journals, he joined Elsevier over thirty years ago and has been Publisher for more than twenty of those years. Before then he was the marketing communications manager for the biochemistry journals of Elsevier. By training he is a polymer chemist and was active in the surface coating industry before leaving London and moving to Amsterdam in 1987 to join Elsevier.
Chair in Human Nutrition, The Rowett Institute, The Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen.
Lora Heisler, Ph.D. is Chair in Human Nutrition at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where she is Head of the Obesity and Food Choice research theme. Professor Heisler has enjoyed being an active member of various journal editorial boards for more than a decade. She was appointed as Deputy Editor of Elsevier’s journal Molecular Metabolism in 2018. Professor Heisler received her B.A. from Boston University, M.Sc. from London School of Economics and Political Sciences and Ph.D. from Tufts University. She undertook postdoctoral fellowships at the University of California at San Francisco and Beth Israel Deaconess/Harvard Medical School. Professor Heisler began her independent research group at Harvard Medical School and then relocated to the University of Cambridge in the UK. Her active research group moved to the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen in 2013 where they investigate the neurobiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
What should be included in a cover letter?
Researcher Academy on Twitter
Should you include a cover letter when you submit a manuscript for journal publication? Of course, you do! Especially if the submission is unsolicited. That is you are cold-pitching an editor or offering something outside of the commission. Your cover letter will contain important introductory information, and contextualize what you are providing.
So, how do you proceed? Use our cover letter example as a reference point. Then customize it using the bonus cover letter writing tips.
Download example (Word version)
Dear Ms. Jeffries,
My name is Thomas Ninja, and I am a Ph.D. candidate studying Modern Culture at the University of Pennsylvania. I am submitting my manuscript titled, ‘The Cultural Impact of The Art of Ninjutsu’ for consideration as a Cultural Studies Journal research article.
This work reflects 9 months of research on the evolution of Ninjutsu from its use as a tool of covert warfare in Feudal Japan to its role in pop culture today. Along the way, I uncovered some meaningful connections between this metamorphosis and other socio-political changes that were also occurring in parallel. My research corroborates previous studies indicating that current events impact public embrace or objection to martial arts.
I believe this submission will be useful to your readers, as it addresses the topic of both modern and ancient using a unique phenomenon as a lens. The research stands to benefit students researching Pacific Rim Studies, Western Film and Pop Culture, and other phenomena.
I am submitting this work to you on May, 23rd, 2021. This work has not been published in another journal, nor is it in consideration for publication. I have informed my advisor as well as the two contributing researchers that I am submitting this work to you, and have obtained their permission to do so. Their names are listed in the attached document.
Please let me know at your convenience if you are interested in publishing this research.
Thomas Ninja
As you can see, this is a short cover letter . But it still packs a punch. In general, manuscript cover letters should not run too long as you are probably addressing a busy editor. The above means that every word should count. The follow-up tips will help you write your cover letter, format it correctly, and pitch it to the right publishers.
The person reading your cover letter will be looking for some specific information. Some of this will be in the header of your letter. But, there is a significant amount of data to include in the body of your letter as well.
Use the following as a checklist:
You are submitting an academic manuscript for publishing consideration. You aren’t selling a novel, pitching poetry , or convincing a hiring manager that you are the best fit for the job. Keep things formal and understated. (Even if you really want to get your research published!). Avoid using excessive superlatives to describe the research you’ve done or the work you are submitting.
Don’t write your cover letter to include phrases like ‘groundbreaking’ or ‘disruptive’. Also, don’t bury the reader in pointless jargon. If it can be communicated in plain English, do that. If it cannot be, provide a simple explanation.
A cover letter for manuscript submission should be three paragraphs at most. Present yourself and your research in paragraph one. Use paragraph two to detail how and why your work is relevant. Add a third paragraph to cover any formalities. That’s it. You are good to hit Send.
The publisher will want to know that your work can be published without any issues. You need to assure them that they can.
To do so, include a statement that addresses the following points:
Research the journal and publisher. They probably have specific submission instructions. For example, they may dictate that all work is submitted as a PDF document. Or that you send them a separate list of research links. Take a few minutes to comply, so that you don’t lose an opportunity to be published.
Publishing in academics journals can be an involved process. The publisher may have additional questions for you. For example, you may be asked for article examples from their journal that are similar to theirs. They may also ask to clarify your research methods. Identify what might bring up more questions, and have some answers prepared.
Physician cover letter example and job search tips, a confident financial analyst cover letter example, cover letter for animal care jobs: example and tips.
A huge collection of cover letters created by a ninja team of writers and career advisors. Learn how to write, style and file cover letters that employers actually enjoy reading.
© Copyright 2023 Cover Letter Ninjas
A cover letter intended to be submitted with your article manuscript is not a formality. Care should be taken when writing such a letter. When writing a cover letter, keep these tips in mind:
Information above was taken from the sources below.
Image by Mehmed_Nurrohmad on Pixabay .
Cover letter maker.
A research paper cover letter is more than just an introductory note; it’s a vital aspect of your submission to academic journals. This document provides the initial impression and encapsulates the essence of your research. In this article, we will delve into what a research paper cover letter is, provide an illustrative example, and share valuable tips for crafting one that resonates with the editors.
A research paper cover letter is a formal letter accompanying the submission of a research paper to a journal or academic conference. It’s your opportunity to introduce the paper, briefly summarize the findings, highlight the significance, and persuade the editor or review panel about the paper’s importance. It’s a critical aspect of the submission process, reflecting the paper’s quality and your professionalism, so it must be thoughtfully composed.
Here is a comprehensive example of a research paper cover letter:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Editor’s Name] [Title] [Journal Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Manuscript – “Exploring the Impact of AI on Environmental Sustainability”
Dear [Editor’s Name],
I am honored to submit my manuscript entitled “Exploring the Impact of AI on Environmental Sustainability” for consideration for publication in [Journal Name]. This research offers groundbreaking insights into how artificial intelligence can be harnessed for sustainable development.
The methodology includes comprehensive analysis and experimentation, and the results reveal promising opportunities in utilizing AI for ecological balance. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of technology’s role in environmental stewardship, filling a significant gap in existing literature.
I confirm that this work is original, has not been published elsewhere, and complies with all ethical guidelines. Enclosed are the manuscript, diagrams, tables, and supplementary materials as per your submission criteria.
I appreciate your consideration of this submission and eagerly await the opportunity to contribute to [Journal Name]. Please feel free to contact me for any further information.
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name] [Your Affiliation]
This great cover letter example articulates the crucial elements that make up an effective research paper cover letter. It introduces the topic, succinctly outlines the key points, and concludes with a respectful closure. Customizing such a letter according to the specific journal or conference’s guidelines is essential for a successful submission.
Size: 28 KB
Navigate the nuances of academic presentation with our Research Paper Cover Letter Format, designed to make your scholarly work stand out with professionalism and clarity.
[Your Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Date]
[Editor’s Name] [Title] [Journal Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Manuscript: “[Title of the Research Paper]”
I am pleased to submit my manuscript entitled “[Title of the Research Paper]” for potential publication in [Journal Name]. The research embodied in this paper investigates [provide a brief but comprehensive overview of the research topic, methodology, and significance].
This manuscript has not been published elsewhere and has not been submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere. I believe that the insights and evidence presented in this paper provide a valuable contribution to the existing body of work in [specify the field or subject area].
Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Phone Number] [Your Affiliation]
Size: 27 KB
Access our comprehensive Sample Research Paper Cover Letter to guide your submissions, ensuring they align with academic expectations and standards.
[Your Full Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]
[Professor’s Full Name] [Title] [Department] [University Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Research Paper on [Title]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
I am honored to submit my research paper titled “[Title of the Research Paper]” for evaluation. This paper, a key part of my [Degree Name], provides an in-depth analysis of [briefly explain the subject matter, highlighting the key themes, questions, and methodology].
Under your guidance and supervision, I have meticulously crafted this paper to reflect the highest standards of academic rigor. I am grateful for the insights and feedback you have provided throughout this process.
I look forward to your review and comments, and I am available for a meeting to discuss the paper at your convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best Regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Student ID]
Master the intricacies of the APA format with our specialized cover letter, crafted to showcase your research while adhering to this authoritative style guide.
[Author’s Full Name] [Author’s Affiliation] [City, State] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]
[Editor’s Name] [Title] [Journal’s Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of APA Style Research Paper: “[Title of the Paper]”
I am writing to submit my research paper for consideration in the [Journal’s Name]. The paper, titled “[Title of the Paper],” strictly adheres to the APA citation style and presents a methodological approach to [explain the central theme of the paper].
The enclosed manuscript highlights the [mention key findings, implications, or innovations]. I believe it will resonate well with the readers of [Journal’s Name] and contribute to the ongoing scholarly discourse in the field of [Field of Study].
Please find attached the manuscript along with all supplementary materials. I appreciate your consideration and await your feedback.
Sincerely, [Author’s Full Name] [Author’s Title] [Author’s Affiliation]
Size: 26 KB
Elevate your project proposals with our tailored cover letter, emphasizing the significance, methodology, and expected outcomes of your academic research.
[Your Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Project Coordinator’s Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Application for [Project Title] Research Project
Dear [Project Coordinator’s Name],
I am writing to express my keen interest in the [Project Title] research project at [Organization Name]. With a strong background in [Your Field], I believe that my skills and experiences align perfectly with the project’s objectives.
I have attached my research proposal, CV, and other relevant documents for your review. My proposal outlines my approach to [briefly summarize the main focus of the research project].
Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to contribute my expertise to this exciting project and look forward to the opportunity to discuss my proposal further.
Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Affiliation]
Enhance your academic submissions with our student-focused cover letter, designed to highlight your research diligence, hypotheses, and learning objectives.
[Student’s Full Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Date]
[Professor’s Full Name] [Title] [Department] [University Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Research Paper on [Topic]
I am thrilled to submit my research paper on [Topic] as part of the requirements for [Course Name]. Through rigorous analysis, innovative methodologies, and critical thinking, I have explored [briefly summarize the subject matter of the paper].
I value the insights and guidance you provided during my research and writing process. The knowledge I gained from this experience has greatly enhanced my understanding of [Field of Study].
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your feedback.
Sincerely, [Student’s Full Name] [Student ID] [Course Name]
Add finesse to your thesis presentation with our dedicated cover letter, underlining the depth, originality, and significance of your pivotal research.
[Your Full Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]
[Thesis Advisor’s Full Name] [Title] [Department] [University Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Thesis Research Paper on [Topic]
Dear Dr. [Last Name],
It is with great anticipation that I submit my thesis research paper on [Topic]. This comprehensive study, guided by your expert mentorship, has been both challenging and rewarding.
I have delved deeply into [explain the central theme, methodology, and findings], aiming to contribute valuable insights to the field of [Field of Study].
Enclosed are my thesis, along with all supporting documents. I appreciate your attention to this work, and I am eager to discuss it further at your convenience.
Thank you for your time, support, and guidance.
Best Regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Student ID] [Degree Program]
Ensure your scholarly work is compellingly presented with our Journal Submission Cover Letter, tailored to captivate editors and facilitate publication.
[Your Full Name] [Title] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]
[Editor’s Full Name] [Title] [Journal Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Manuscript Submission for [Journal Name]: “[Title of Research Paper]”
Dear Dr. [Editor’s Last Name],
I am pleased to submit my manuscript, titled “[Title of Research Paper],” for potential publication in [Journal Name]. This original research contributes to the field of [Field of Study] by [provide a concise overview of the paper’s central theme, methodology, and key findings].
I have followed all the guidelines provided by [Journal Name] and have included all necessary supplementary materials.
Thank you for considering my submission. I believe this research fits well with the focus of your esteemed journal, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Title] [Your Affiliation]
Go for a minimalist yet impactful approach with our Simple Research Paper Cover Letter, designed to present your findings clearly and concisely.
[Recipient’s Full Name] [Title] [Organization Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]
Subject: Submission of Research Paper: “[Title]”
Dear [Recipient’s First Name],
I am delighted to submit my research paper on [Title]. This paper, written as part of my [Degree/Course], provides a comprehensive analysis of [briefly summarize the research topic and methodology].
I have enclosed the paper and all necessary supporting documents. Your review and feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Title] [Your Affiliation]
Use our Basic Research Paper Cover Letter as a foundational guide, offering a straightforward presentation of your academic research and its implications.
[Your Full Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Date]
Subject: Manuscript Submission: “[Title]”
I am submitting my manuscript titled “[Title]” for your review. This research paper delves into [briefly describe the research topic, key questions, methodology, and significance].
Enclosed are the manuscript and all necessary supporting documents. I look forward to your feedback and hope for a positive consideration.
Thank you for your time.
Elevate your academic submissions with a touch of professionalism using our expertly crafted cover letter, emphasizing your research’s significance, methodology, and scholarly contribution.
Subject: Professional Submission of Research Paper: “[Research Paper Title]”
I am pleased to submit my research paper, titled “[Research Paper Title],” for professional review and potential publication in [Journal Name]. This work represents a rigorous investigation into [provide a detailed overview of the research subject, methodology, key findings, and implications].
I believe this research paper meets the high standards of your esteemed journal and will engage and inform your readership.
Please find attached the manuscript, along with all necessary supporting documents. I look forward to your review and response.
Yours Professionally, [Your Full Name] [Your Title] [Your Affiliation] [Your Phone Number]
A Research Paper Cover Letter serves as a formal introduction of your research to the editor, professor, or other relevant authority. It highlights key aspects of your research and reflects your professionalism. Here’s what you typically include:
1. Introduction: Introduce yourself, the title of the paper, and the purpose of the cover letter. 2. Subject of Research: Briefly explain the research topic, methodology, and main findings. 3. Relevance: Discuss the significance of your research and why it is suitable for the intended audience or journal. 4. Compliance with Guidelines: Mention adherence to the submission guidelines or specific style, like APA. 5. Exclusivity: If submitting to a journal, state that the work has not been published elsewhere. 6. Attachments: List the documents you are attaching, including the manuscript and supplementary materials. 7. Gratitude and Closing: Thank the recipient for their consideration and provide your contact information.
Writing a cover letter for a research paper requires care and precision. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Address the Recipient Formally: Use the proper title and full name if known. If not, use a general salutation. 2. Introduce Yourself and Your Paper: Start with a concise introduction to your research and its relevance. 3. Provide a Brief Overview: Summarize the key points, methodology, and findings of your research. 4. Highlight the Significance: Explain why the paper is important and how it contributes to the field. 5. Follow Guidelines: If submitting to a journal or specific conference, adhere to their guidelines and mention your compliance. 6. Use Professional Tone and Language: Keep the language formal, clear, and error-free. 7. Include Contact Information: Provide your email, phone number, and other relevant contact details. 8. Sign Off Formally: Close with a polite and professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
1. Understand Your Audience: Tailor the cover letter to the recipient, whether it’s a journal editor, professor, or other authority. 2. Be Concise: Keep it brief while including all necessary details. 3. Highlight Key Points: Focus on the most critical and unique aspects of your research. 4. Follow a Structure: Use a clear and organized format with distinct sections. 5. Proofread: Ensure that your cover letter is free of grammatical errors and typos. 6. Maintain Professionalism: Use a respectful tone and formal language throughout. 7. Align with the Journal or Institution’s Tone: If applicable, match the style and tone of the journal or institution to which you are submitting.
Research Paper Cover Letters play a crucial role in making a positive impression and conveying the significance of your work. By adhering to formalities and focusing on the essentials of your research, you can create an effective and professional cover letter.
Text prompt
Write a cover letter for a college student applying for an internship at an educational technology company
Form a cover letter for a high school student seeking a part-time job at a local bookstore.
Writing a manuscript: cover letter.
Sample Cover Letter
Dr. John Smith, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Ophthalmology
Dear Dr. Smith:
We are submitting our manuscript entitled “Taking antioxidants plus zinc reduces the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration for high-risk patients,” for consideration for publication as an Original Article in Journal of Ophthalmology . This work has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All authors have contributed significantly and have read and approved the submitted work.
Results from our randomized, controlled trial of drug X demonstrate significant improvement in patient symptoms. Drug X is a simple, cost-effective treatment that clinicians can implement easily and quickly into routine practice.
[Any required text: disclosures, funding, author participation, IRB/ACUC approval]
Thank you for your consideration of this manuscript. We look forward to hearing from you.
A. Thomas Jones, MD Associate Professor
Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.
Submissions for Articles, Reviews and Perspectives, and Matters Arising must be submitted via our online submission system . Please follow these guidelines to ensure that your submission proceeds smoothly.
If your manuscript and figures are ready to submit according to the manuscript formatting guidelines and requirements below, please proceed directly to the online submission system .
This guide outlines key points for preparing primary research manuscripts for submission to Nature .
The corresponding author should be familiar with the Nature journals’ editorial policies and is solely responsible for communicating with the journal and managing communication between coauthors. Before submission, the corresponding author ensures that all authors are included in the author list and agree with its order, and that they are aware the manuscript is to be submitted. For more information on editorial and authorship policies , please review our Guide to Authors .
Although optional, the cover letter is an excellent opportunity to briefly discuss the importance of the submitted work and why it is appropriate for the journal. Please avoid repeating information that is already present in the abstract and introduction. The cover letter is not shared with the referees, and should be used to provide confidential information such as conflicts of interest and to declare any related work that is in press or submitted elsewhere.
All authors must complete an editorial policy checklist to ensure compliance with Nature Research editorial policies. Please note: because of the advanced features used in the form, you must use Adobe Reader to open the document and fill it out.
The Nature journals are flexible with regard to the format of initial submissions. Within reason, style and length will not influence consideration of a manuscript. If revisions are requested, the editor will provide detailed formatting instructions at that time.
To facilitate the review process however, we strongly encourage you to incorporate the manuscript text and figures into a single PDF or Microsoft Word file. Suitably high resolution figures may be inserted within the text at appropriate positions or grouped at the end. Each figure legend should be presented on the same page as its figure. The reference list should include article titles. If providing a PDF, please number all lines. The submission system will number all lines in a Word document for you. We accept LaTeX files at the acceptance stage, but before that time please supply PDFs.
Title .Titles must fit on two lines in print (75 characters including spaces) and should avoid technical terms, abbreviations and active verbs.
Authors . Corresponding author(s) should be identified with an asterisk. Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT , do not currently satisfy our authorship criteria . Notably an attribution of authorship carries with it accountability for the work, which cannot be effectively applied to LLMs. Use of an LLM should be properly documented in the Methods section (and if a Methods section is not available, in a suitable alternative part) of the manuscript.
Abstract . Provide a general introduction to the topic and a brief non-technical summary of your main results and their implication.
Text length and formatting . Attention to the following details can help expedite publication if we invite a revision after external review.
A fully referenced ~200 word summary paragraph; main text of 2,500 words and 4 modest display items (figures, tables) for a typical 6 page article and 4300 words and 5-6 modest display items for a typical 8 page article; as a guideline up to 50 references if needed and within the allocated page budget. Sections can be separated with subheadings to aid navigation.
Please consult Nature's content types for final length and formatting requirements of other article types.
Methods . The Methods section appears in most online original research articles and should contain all elements necessary for interpretation and replication of the results. Methods should be written as concisely as possible and typically do not exceed 3,000 words but may be longer if necessary. Methods-only references do not count against your reference limit. We encourage you to deposit any step-by-step protocols used in your study in the open resource protocols.io . Protocols that are deposited should be mentioned in the Methods section and added to the reference list.
References . These may only contain citations and should list only one publication with each number. Include the title of the cited article or dataset.
Acknowledgements (optional). Keep acknowledgements brief and do not include thanks to anonymous referees or editors, or effusive comments. Grant or contribution numbers may be acknowledged.
Author contributions . You must include a statement that specifies the individual contributions of each co-author. For example: "A.P.M. ‘contributed’ Y and Z; B.T.R. ‘contributed’ Y,” etc. See our authorship policies for more details.
Competing interests . Submission of a competing interests statement is required for all content of the journal.
Materials & Correspondence . Indicate the author to whom correspondence and material requests should be addressed.
Tables . Each table should be accompanied by a short title sentence describing what the table shows. Further details can be included as footnotes to the table.
High-resolution image files are not required at initial submission, but please ensure images are of sufficient resolution for referees to properly assess the data. We prefer the figures to be incorporated with the manuscript text into a single Word doc or PDF at initial submission, but if necessary, supply separate image files or deposit image data in a suitable repository (e.g. figshare ) for this purpose.
Should your manuscript be accepted, you will receive more extensive instructions for final submission of display items. However, some guidelines for final figure preparation are included below and here if you wish to minimize later revisions and possible delays.
Provide images in RGB color and at 300 dpi or higher resolution.
Use the same typeface (Arial or Helvetica) for all figures. Use symbol font for Greek letters.
Use distinct colors with comparable visibility and avoid the use of red and green for contrast. Recoloring primary data, such as fluorescence images, to color-safe combinations such as green and magenta or other accessible color palettes is strongly encouraged. Use of the rainbow color scale should be avoided.
Figures are best prepared at a width of 90 mm (single column) and 180 mm (double column) with a maximum height of 170mm.. At this size, the font size should be 5-7pt.
We require vector files with editable layers. Acceptable formats are: .ai, .eps, .pdf, .ps, .svg for fully editable vector-based art; layered .psd or .tif for editable layered art; .psd, .tif, .png or .jpg for bitmap images; .ppt if fully editable and without styling effects; ChemDraw (.cdx) for chemical structures. A guide to preparing final figures is available here: Figure style guide .
Please refer to the Nature Research chemical structures style guide for formatting of chemical structures.
Figure legends of <250 words each should begin with a brief title sentence for the whole figure and continue with a short statement of what is depicted in the figure, not the results (or data) of the experiment or the methods used. Legends should be detailed enough so that each figure and caption can, as far as possible, be understood in isolation from the main text.
Comprehensive information on the statistical analyses used must be included in the paper. The Methods must include a statistics section where you describe the statistical tests used and whether they were one- or two-tailed. Please ensure that the error bars are defined throughout the figures. For all statistics (including error bars), provide the EXACT n values used to calculate the statistics (reporting individual values rather than a range if n varied among experiments). For representative results, report the number of times that the measurements were repeated. Where relevant, provide exact values for both significant and non-significant P values. For ANOVAs, provide F values and degrees of freedom. For t -tests, provide t-values and degrees of freedom. Please specifically define the replicates.
To improve its readability and navigability online, all data integral to the work being described should be included in up to ten multi-panel Extended Data display items similar to regular printed figures and tables. These will not appear in print but are included in the online versions of the published article. If the main finding includes a complex process we encourage the inclusion of a schematic to aid readers unfamiliar with the topic. For initial submission you may include Extended Data items as regular display items in the body of the manuscript or as Supplementary Information. But if accepted for publication, all Extended Data will need to be properly formatted .
All individual inorganic and organic chemical compounds should be identified by bold numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.), including those that are only mentioned in the manuscript or supplementary information, independent of whether they were utilized in the reported experiments. Standard buffers, reagents and solvents should not be numbered. Please number compounds in order of their appearance in the main text. Alphanumeric numbering can also be used, but try to be logical, for example, starting materials called 1a, 1b, 1c... give products called 2a, 2b, 2c... and so on.
This should be limited to material that is essential background (for example, large data sets and calculations), but which is too large, impractical or specialized to justify inclusion in the printed version of the article. Any figures or small tables should ideally be supplied as Extended Data, not Supplementary Information.
Please provide a Data Availability statement in the Methods section under “Data Availability”; detailed guidance can be found in our data availability and data citations policy . Certain data types must be deposited in an appropriate public structured data depository (details are available here ), and the accession number(s) provided in the manuscript. Full access is required at publication. Should full access to data be required for peer review, authors must provide it.
We encourage provision of other source data in unstructured public depositories such as Dryad or figshare , or as supplementary information. To maximize data reuse, we encourage publication of detailed descriptions of datasets in Scientific Data .
Manuscripts reporting new crystallographic structures of small molecules must be accompanied by a standard .cif file. A structural figure with probability ellipsoids should be included in the main supplementary information file. The structure factors for each structure should also be submitted, preferably embedded in the main .cif file, although they may be provided as a separate .hkl and/or .fcf file. Use of the 2014 version of the program SHELXL, which embeds the structure factors information in the main .cif file, is encouraged. The structure factors and structural output must be checked using IUCr's CheckCIF routine and a PDF copy of the output supplied, explaining any A- or B-level alerts.
Any previously unreported custom computer code used to generate results reported in the manuscript and that are central to the main claims must be made available to editors and referees upon request. Any practical issues preventing code sharing will be evaluated by the editors who reserve the right to decline the manuscript if important code is unavailable. At publication, Nature journals consider it best practice to release custom computer code in a way that allows readers to repeat the published results.
For all studies using custom code that is deemed central to the conclusions, a statement must be included in the Methods section, under the heading "Code availability", indicating whether and how the code can be accessed, including any restrictions.
To improve the transparency of reporting and the reproducibility of published results, authors of life sciences and behavioural & social sciences research articles must provide a completed reporting summary that will be made available to editors and reviewers during manuscript assessment. The reporting summary will be published with all accepted manuscripts.
Please note: because of the advanced features used in the form, you must use Adobe Reader to open the document and fill it out.
Guidance and resources related to the use and reporting of statistics are available here .
If you are reporting phase II or phase III randomized controlled trials you must refer to the CONSORT Statement for recommendations to facilitate the complete and transparent reporting of trial findings. Reports that do not conform to the CONSORT guidelines may need to be revised before peer review. We encourage authors reporting prognostic studies with tumor markers to follow the REMARK reporting guidelines.
Before the start of patient enrollment prospective clinical trials must be registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov or a similar public repository that matches ICMJE criteria and the trial registration number reported in the manuscript.
For describing human biospecimens, we recommend referring to the BRISQ reporting guidelines and ensuring at least Tier 1 characteristics are provided (doi: 10.1002/cncy.20147).
It is a requirement of submission that you alert us to any related manuscripts with overlapping authorship that are under consideration (including under appeal) or in press at other journals (see our editorial policies on duplicate submissions for details). Copies of these manuscripts should be clearly marked and included as separate files with your submission.
The Nature journals support the posting of submitted manuscripts on community preprint servers such as arXiv and bioRxiv . We do, however, ask you to respect the following summaries of our policies:
If you want to participate in double-blind peer review, prepare your manuscript in a way that conceals the identities of all the authors and tick the appropriate box during online submission. We recommend that authors refer to our double-blind peer review guidelines when preparing a double-blind peer review manuscript. Note that editors do not ensure that the paper is properly anonymized; that is the authors' responsibility.
If an editor is unable to offer publication of your manuscript, you have the opportunity to transfer all manuscript materials, the decision letter and any referee comments to a selection of Springer Nature journals without re-entering submission information. Use the link in your decision letter to explore suggested alternative journals. You may then initiate the transfer process to the journal of your choice or submit elsewhere. Please see this page for more information.
Authors who feel that they have strong grounds for appealing a decision may contact the journal to request the opening of an appeal, after which they may upload a cogently argued rebuttal letter that addresses the referees’ and/or editor’s comments in a point-by-point manner. Decisions are reversed on appeal only if the editors are convinced that the original decision was made in error or critical new information or data has been added.
Exceptionally interesting or important scientific comments and clarifications on peer-reviewed articles published within the past 18 months in Nature may be submitted as Matters Arising .
General editorial enquiries should be addressed to the Editor at [email protected]. Manuscripts should be submitted through our online submission system . Further submission details are available here .
You need to be logged in to access this feature. Click “Confirm” to log in to your existing account or create a new account.
You must purchase an AGU membership to complete this session. Click on confirm to purchase.
You are redirecting to an external site. Are you sure you want to continue?
We are experiencing difficulty processing your payment. Please do not refresh the page or submit again.
Contact our Member Service Center for help at [email protected] , or 800.966. 2481 (toll-free in North America), or +1 202.462.6900.
Learn more about our digital vision.
Check out current highlights for the new platform and what's coming in the future. We're continuously improving the experience with your feedback!
Important links, interesting articles.
Seismic Sensors in Orbit
For your convenience, we encourage you to use our LaTeX or Word templates. You can also submit papers directly using some cloud-based authoring tools: Overleaf and Curvenote , which are LaTeX-based, and Authorea . If you use any of these templates, some information, including title and abstract, from the paper will be automatically loaded into our submission system when you upload the file.
Following our checklist and guidelines properly will help ensure a timely submission and peer review process.
If you are submitting a revised or resubmitted manuscript that has already undergone peer review, please follow the checklist for revised or resubmitted manuscript .
You will need to provide the following items with your submission. For new submissions, please upload one complete Word or PDF manuscript file containing text, figures, and tables a part of the main text. Convert LaTeX documents to PDF for initial submissions. Any supporting information should be uploaded separately for review purposes. Revisions including resubmissions of previous rejected manuscripts need separate, production-ready files and must follow the revision submission checklist .
We encourage all authors to register for an ORCID . Published contributions and reviews are automatically registered to your ORCID when you enable auto-updates from Crossref and DataCite. We encourage using International Geo Sample Numbers (IGSNs) to identify all relevant samples. IGSNs should be identified in your paper by including them in the relevant dataset.
To expedite the processing of your paper, please ensure your manuscript meets the following requirements. If you are unsure about an item in the checklist, in-depth, detailed guidelines for composing your manuscript are provided on our In-depth Text and Graphics Requirements page.
Supporting information may include other images or figures, methods text, and resources needed to explain the results presented in your paper. It should not include discussion or key analysis. Data sets, software, and sample information should be deposited in repositories practicing the FAIR principles and cited in the references . Data files that are uploaded as Supporting Information MUST ALSO be deposited in an appropriate repository.
Visit our Supporting Information requirements page for more detailed guidance.
A cover letter explaining your revision to the editor is optional. The cover letter should be entered into the online submission form, not uploaded as a separate file.
If there is any change in authorship, including author order, this must be explained in the cover letter. All co-authors will receive a confirmation of the new submission.
The manuscript should be an unmarked, final file in Word or LaTeX (not a pdf), with all changes accepted. Your manuscript should contain the elements listed below and be checked for length.
Page Contents
Authorship confers credit and has important academic, social, and financial implications. Authorship also implies responsibility and accountability for published work. The following recommendations are intended to ensure that contributors who have made substantive intellectual contributions to a paper are given credit as authors, but also that contributors credited as authors understand their role in taking responsibility and being accountable for what is published.
Editors should be aware of the practice of excluding local researchers from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) from authorship when data are from LMICs. Inclusion of local authors adds to fairness, context, and implications of the research. Lack of inclusion of local investigators as authors should prompt questioning and may lead to rejection.
Because authorship does not communicate what contributions qualified an individual to be an author, some journals now request and publish information about the contributions of each person named as having participated in a submitted study, at least for original research. Editors are strongly encouraged to develop and implement a contributorship policy. Such policies remove much of the ambiguity surrounding contributions, but leave unresolved the question of the quantity and quality of contribution that qualify an individual for authorship. The ICMJE has thus developed criteria for authorship that can be used by all journals, including those that distinguish authors from other contributors.
The ICMJE recommends that authorship be based on the following 4 criteria:
In addition to being accountable for the parts of the work done, an author should be able to identify which co-authors are responsible for specific other parts of the work. In addition, authors should have confidence in the integrity of the contributions of their co-authors.
All those designated as authors should meet all four criteria for authorship, and all who meet the four criteria should be identified as authors. Those who do not meet all four criteria should be acknowledged—see Section II.A.3 below. These authorship criteria are intended to reserve the status of authorship for those who deserve credit and can take responsibility for the work. The criteria are not intended for use as a means to disqualify colleagues from authorship who otherwise meet authorship criteria by denying them the opportunity to meet criterion #s 2 or 3. Therefore, all individuals who meet the first criterion should have the opportunity to participate in the review, drafting, and final approval of the manuscript.
The individuals who conduct the work are responsible for identifying who meets these criteria and ideally should do so when planning the work, making modifications as appropriate as the work progresses. We encourage collaboration and co-authorship with colleagues in the locations where the research is conducted. It is the collective responsibility of the authors, not the journal to which the work is submitted, to determine that all people named as authors meet all four criteria; it is not the role of journal editors to determine who qualifies or does not qualify for authorship or to arbitrate authorship conflicts. If agreement cannot be reached about who qualifies for authorship, the institution(s) where the work was performed, not the journal editor, should be asked to investigate. The criteria used to determine the order in which authors are listed on the byline may vary, and are to be decided collectively by the author group and not by editors. If authors request removal or addition of an author after manuscript submission or publication, journal editors should seek an explanation and signed statement of agreement for the requested change from all listed authors and from the author to be removed or added.
The corresponding author is the one individual who takes primary responsibility for communication with the journal during the manuscript submission, peer-review, and publication process. The corresponding author typically ensures that all the journal’s administrative requirements, such as providing details of authorship, ethics committee approval, clinical trial registration documentation, and disclosures of relationships and activities are properly completed and reported, although these duties may be delegated to one or more co-authors. The corresponding author should be available throughout the submission and peer-review process to respond to editorial queries in a timely way, and should be available after publication to respond to critiques of the work and cooperate with any requests from the journal for data or additional information should questions about the paper arise after publication. Although the corresponding author has primary responsibility for correspondence with the journal, the ICMJE recommends that editors send copies of all correspondence to all listed authors.
When a large multi-author group has conducted the work, the group ideally should decide who will be an author before the work is started and confirm who is an author before submitting the manuscript for publication. All members of the group named as authors should meet all four criteria for authorship, including approval of the final manuscript, and they should be able to take public responsibility for the work and should have full confidence in the accuracy and integrity of the work of other group authors. They will also be expected as individuals to complete disclosure forms.
Some large multi-author groups designate authorship by a group name, with or without the names of individuals. When submitting a manuscript authored by a group, the corresponding author should specify the group name if one exists, and clearly identify the group members who can take credit and responsibility for the work as authors. The byline of the article identifies who is directly responsible for the manuscript, and MEDLINE lists as authors whichever names appear on the byline. If the byline includes a group name, MEDLINE will list the names of individual group members who are authors or who are collaborators, sometimes called non-author contributors, if there is a note associated with the byline clearly stating that the individual names are elsewhere in the paper and whether those names are authors or collaborators.
Contributors who meet fewer than all 4 of the above criteria for authorship should not be listed as authors, but they should be acknowledged. Examples of activities that alone (without other contributions) do not qualify a contributor for authorship are acquisition of funding; general supervision of a research group or general administrative support; and writing assistance, technical editing, language editing, and proofreading. Those whose contributions do not justify authorship may be acknowledged individually or together as a group under a single heading (e.g. "Clinical Investigators" or "Participating Investigators"), and their contributions should be specified (e.g., "served as scientific advisors," "critically reviewed the study proposal," "collected data," "provided and cared for study patients," "participated in writing or technical editing of the manuscript").
Because acknowledgment may imply endorsement by acknowledged individuals of a study’s data and conclusions, editors are advised to require that the corresponding author obtain written permission to be acknowledged from all acknowledged individuals.
Use of AI for writing assistance should be reported in the acknowledgment section.
At submission, the journal should require authors to disclose whether they used artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies (such as Large Language Models [LLMs], chatbots, or image creators) in the production of submitted work. Authors who use such technology should describe, in both the cover letter and the submitted work in the appropriate section if applicable, how they used it. For example, if AI was used for writing assistance, describe this in the acknowledgment section (see Section II.A.3). If AI was used for data collection, analysis, or figure generation, authors should describe this use in the methods (see Section IV.A.3.d). Chatbots (such as ChatGPT) should not be listed as authors because they cannot be responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the work, and these responsibilities are required for authorship (see Section II.A.1). Therefore, humans are responsible for any submitted material that included the use of AI-assisted technologies. Authors should carefully review and edit the result because AI can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased. Authors should not list AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author, nor cite AI as an author. Authors should be able to assert that there is no plagiarism in their paper, including in text and images produced by the AI. Humans must ensure there is appropriate attribution of all quoted material, including full citations.
Next: Disclosure of Financial and Non-Financial Relationships and Activities, and Conflicts of Interest
Keep up-to-date Request to receive an E-mail when the Recommendations are updated.
Subscribe to Changes
Welcome to the new Ploughshares website! To learn more about logging in and what to expect, read here .
Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during our regular reading period, open from June 1 to January 15 at noon EST . The literary journal is published four times a year: blended poetry and prose issues in the Winter and Spring, a prose issue in the Summer, and a special longform prose issue in the Fall. Our Spring and Summer issues are guest-edited by different writers of prominence. To submit to the journal, including the Fall Longform Issue, please see our guidelines here .
Our Look2 essay series seeks to publish essays about under-appreciated or overlooked writers. The Look2 essay should take stock of a writer’s entire oeuvre with the goal of bringing critical attention to the neglected writer and his or her relevance to a contemporary audience. To submit a Look2 essay query to the journal, see the guidelines here .
In the spirit of the journal’s founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book. The 2024 contest—judged by Dantiel W. Moniz in fiction, Porsha Olayiwola in poetry, and Augusten Burroughs in nonfiction—has closed. The winners will be announced this fall.
Review cart.
No products in the cart.
Everything you need to prepare and review manuscripts for ACS journals.
Log in to view the status of your submitted work, manuscripts you are reviewing, and performance of published articles.
Don't have an ACS ID? Register Now
ACS believes in the strength of diversity in all its forms
Explore how ACS Publications is working to advance and embrace inclusion in chemistry.
Visit the new site to understand why ACS Publications strongly encourages authors to make the research data underlying their articles available at the time of publication
ACS simplfies open science, so researchers can focus on research
View the all new ACS Open Science website to learn more
Everything you need to prepare and submit your manuscript.
Looking for information on book publishing?
Get the basics here.
Submit with Fast Format
Accounts of Chemical Research presents short, concise and critical overviews of basic research and applications in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry.
More about Accounts of Chemical Research
Submissions (3)
In Peer Review
Title of the Last Manuscript that you Submitted
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
Reviews (4)
Bruce Banner, Reed Richards, Henry Pym
Published (17)
Most Recent
Title of one of your ACS Publications
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Following (1)
Recently Cited or Downloaded
Title of an ACS Article from one of your Colleagues
Bioconjugate Chemistry
Prepare and Submit Your Manuscript
Learn how to get your manuscript into submission shape, and how to navigate ACS Paragon Plus.
Learn About Sharing Research and Open Access
Discover best practices when sharing your science with the public, and how you can publish open access in any ACS journal.
Learn About the Peer Review Process
Get real-life guidance on the peer review process from ACS editors and experts.
Review ACS Publishing Policies
Each journal is different. Make sure you understand ACS publishing policies before you hit submit.
Master the fundamentals of peer review in our free online course. Click here to sign up .
Connect with our language editors and scientific illustrators to help showcase your science at its best. Click here to learn more .
Get expert advice from the ACS editor community in this brand-new video series. Click here to watch.
ACS's Course on how to successfully prepare & submit your manuscript Register Now
Manuscript preparation and submission.
The American Chemical Society’s premier outreach program. Launched in 2010, we've hosted programming at hundreds of institutions around the world, bringing the world’s leaders in chemistry, publishing, research, science communication and career development right to your doorstep.
1155 Sixteenth Street N.W. Washington, DC 20036
京ICP备13047075
Copyright © 2017 American Chemical Society
Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts
This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.
Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.
The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.
The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.
The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.
Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page if you have any questions or comments.
All the best,
Facebook twitter.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
When writing for publication, a well-written cover letter can help your paper reach the next stage of the manuscript submission process - being sent out for peer review. So it's worth spending time thinking about how to write a cover letter to the journal editor, to make sure it's going to be effective.
Dear Dr. Simpson, I am enclosing a submission to the Journal of Poetry and Psychology entitled "Poetry and the Cognitive Psychology of Metrical Constructs.". The manuscript is 40 pages long and includes four tables and two figures. I wish for the manuscript to be given a masked review. I request that my ex-partner [name blocked out] not be ...
A well-crafted cover letter can help your manuscript stand out and increase your chances of being accepted for publication. Here are some tips for writing an effective journal submission cover letter. Proofread. One of the most important tips for writing a journal submission cover letter is to proofread it carefully.
Keep all text left justified. Use spelling and grammar check software. If needed, use a proofreading service or cover letter editing service such as Wordvice to review your letter for clarity and concision. Double-check the editor's name. Call the journal to confirm if necessary.
Then, write a letter that explains why the editor would want to publish your manuscript. The following structure covers all the necessary points that need to be included. If known, address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name. Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
A well-written, error-free letter reflects your commitment to quality, suggesting that the same level of care has been applied to your research and manuscript. In essence, the cover letter for your journal submission is your advocate, concierge, and first ambassador all rolled into one.
7 Journal submission tips and hacks from the experts. 7.1 Be personal, use the editor's name. 7.2 Tell them what you want to publish. 7.3 Summarize the highlights of your work. 7.4 Sell yourself. 7.5 Don't forget your "must have" statements. 8 See it in action: Edanz video on writing cover letters. 9 Get a cover letter template.
Address the editor formally by name, if known. Include your contact information, as well. This information is probably available through the journal's online submission system, but it is proper to provide it in the cover letter, too. Begin your cover letter with a paragraph that states the name of the manuscript and the names of the authors.
Cover Letter for Journal Submission Checklist. Add your contact information, degree, name of the institution. List the editor's name, the name of the journal, address, and submission date. Greet the editor by name: Dear Mr./Mrs. XYZ. Say the title of your manuscript.
A manuscript should be accompanied by a good cover letter for journal submission, as it can increase a researcher's chances of getting published. Editors receive numerous cover letters, so it is important to frame a letter that draws an editor's interest to your research.
You may be required to submit a cover letter with your submission. Individual journals may have specific requirements regarding the cover letter's contents, so please consult the individual journal's Guide for Authors. A cover letter is a simple, brief business letter, designed to introduce your manuscript to a prospective Editor.
Dr. Arianna Ferrini, freelance scientific writer on Kolabtree, shares her top tips on writing a cover letter for manuscript submission.. When you submit a manuscript to a journal, you often must include a cover letter. The cover letter is a formal way to communicate with the editor of your chosen journal and is an excellent opportunity to highlight what makes your research new and publication ...
This handout offers guidance on how to write a cover letter for submitting journal manuscripts for publication. What is a journal publication letter? A journal publication letter, also known as a journal article submission cover letter, is a cover letter written to a peer-reviewed journal to advocate for the publication of a manuscript.
Your cover letter should include. The objective and approach of your research. Any novel contributions reported. Why your manuscript should be published in this journal. Any special considerations about your submission. Related papers by you and/or your fellow authors (published or under consideration) Previous reviews of your submission.
Cover Letters. The cover letter is a formal way to communicate with journal editors and editorial staff during the manuscript submission process. Most often, a cover letter is needed when authors initially submit their manuscript to a journal and when responding to reviewers during an invitation to revise and resubmit the manuscript.
While the preparation of the manuscript itself is undeniably significant, the cover letter serves as a strategic tool that can significantly shape an editor's perception of your submission. In the modern landscape of academic publishing, where journals are inundated with submissions, the cover letter can be the factor that sets your work ...
A good cover letter will help "sell" your manuscript to the journal Editor. It is not enough to send a manuscript to a journal Editor like this: Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled "Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer" by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for ...
Cover letters can be submitted as normal text files, such as Word, or input directly in a field in the journal's online submission system. Let's look at some tips for each section. And don't forget to download the template, which shows these tips already in place. 1. Addressee's information and date of submission.
Writing a Strong Cover letter for Manuscript Submission When you send your manuscript to a publisher or literary agent, you will need to include the following information; - A letter of motivation - A biography of the author - A synopsis of your manuscript - Selection of sample chapters The first thing the editor or
Submitting your manuscript without a cover letter or an incomplete one can impact the outcome of your submission. Strong cover letters efficiently introduce your work to the editor, but also communicates why your paper is of interest to the journal audience and contributory to overall science. In this Researcher Academy module, experts Anthony Newman and Lora Heisler give you important ...
Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission Example - Text Format. Dear Ms. Jeffries, My name is Thomas Ninja, and I am a Ph.D. candidate studying Modern Culture at the University of Pennsylvania. I am submitting my manuscript titled, 'The Cultural Impact of The Art of Ninjutsu' for consideration as a Cultural Studies Journal research article.
A cover letter intended to be submitted with your article manuscript is not a formality. Care should be taken when writing such a letter. When writing a cover letter, keep these tips in mind: Include a statement that your research has not been published elsewhere or is not under consideration for publication elsewhere
A research paper cover letter is more than just an introductory note; it's a vital aspect of your submission to academic journals. This document provides the initial impression and encapsulates the essence of your research. In this article, we will delve into what a research paper cover letter is, provide an illustrative example, and share valuable tips for crafting one that resonates with ...
Sample Cover Letter (Date) Dr. John Smith, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Ophthalmology. Dear Dr. Smith: We are submitting our manuscript entitled "Taking antioxidants plus zinc reduces the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration for high-risk patients," for consideration for publication as an Original Article in Journal of Ophthalmology.This work has not been previously published ...
This guide outlines key points for preparing primary research manuscripts for submission to Nature. ... Cover letter. Although optional, the cover letter is an excellent opportunity to briefly ...
The cover letter should be entered into the online submission form, not uploaded as a separate file. ... All co-authors will receive a confirmation of the new submission. The manuscript should be an unmarked, final file in Word or LaTeX (not a pdf), with all changes accepted. Your manuscript should contain the elements listed below and be ...
If authors request removal or addition of an author after manuscript submission or publication, journal editors should seek an explanation and signed statement of agreement for the requested change from all listed authors and from the author to be removed or added. ... in both the cover letter and the submitted work in the appropriate section ...
Regular Reading Period. Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during our regular reading period, open from June 1 to January 15 at noon EST.The literary journal is published four times a year: blended poetry and prose issues in the Winter and Spring, a prose issue in the Summer, and a special longform prose issue in the Fall.
ACS on Campus. The American Chemical Society's premier outreach program. Launched in 2010, we've hosted programming at hundreds of institutions around the world, bringing the world's leaders in chemistry, publishing, research, science communication and career development right to your doorstep.
Mission. The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives.