How To Prepare Your Manuscript writing to Match Journal Standards

Manuscript begin rejected by a journal and blaming their fate. This is what every student is doing right now.

But you can be clever and avoid being among the 50-70% of researchers who fail to meet the standards manuscript . Just one wise move and your script will not be amongst those submissions that barely make it past the editor’s desk.

The move: You need to stop playing the wrong blame game. The flaw is not in your science. It is in how you prepare your manuscript, because it hardly aligns with the journal’s scope, lacks novelty, or simply ignores formatting guidelines. So, manuscript writing maybe it’s time to hold responsible the font size, the missing cover letter, or the abstract that went on and on like a thesis.

6 Steps to Write a Manuscript as per Journal Standards

Rejections from the journal editors don’t arrive slowly, sugarcoated in whispers. You would just be chilling one day when you receive an email, often starting with: “We regret to inform you that…” The feedback is loud and clear, leaving no room for hope.

However, you are not the only one struggling to pass the selection filters. According to the observations, almost 70% of the total submissions are turned down for one reason or another.

Clearly, if only 30% of the total submissions are being selected, then there are things that are being done wrong. Such as a researcher not formatting the document before submission, and writing poorly. Here is a graph that shows the contributing factors of receiving negative feedback from the editors.

This graph shows how important it is to work closely with a research publication service in Gulf. Hence, not doing so can potentially increase the chances of having your paper declined.

Now, Let’s Discuss How to Prepare Your Standard Script

Before you take the first step towards polishing your document, it is suggested that you take a moment to have another look at your script’s scientific merit. This will help you in making sure that the methodology is solid, findings are replicable, and data integrity is intact.

After you prepare your manuscript, you need to shortlist several journals based on scope, impact, and audience alignment. This early step reduces revisions later and sets a professional tone, which resonates through every part of your submission process.

1.      Look for the Journal’s Scope and Theme

You don’t just have to read the guidelines. Instead, you must absorb them so well that when you are writing or editing, you would know what they wouldn’t approve of. This includes identifying patterns in accepted papers.

This is the easiest way of knowing whether they prefer theory-heavy discussion and policy implications more, or practical solutions. In addition, you can use the archives to cite articles wherever relevant.  

2.      Tailor Your Content for the Audience

As the researcher, it is your responsibility to shift from generic writing to targeted communication. You also need to frame your research questions and conclusions in ways that perfectly meet the journal’s reader base.

You might want to emphasise translational significance in clinical journals or methodological accuracy in quantitative papers. These aspects are truly necessary for the credibility of your draft. Simply put, aim for an audience-centred manuscript because it feels more compelling.

3.      Refine IMRaD with a Logical Flow

All researchers who have dealt with manuscript writing journal assignments would know what IMRaD stands for. It means Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. It is a format that helps scholars in producing polished content.

Moreover, it is very simple. All you have to do is introduce a gap, showcase your method as the bridge, and come up with conclusions that support understanding. Other than that, you can use precise paragraph transitions and subheadings to guide the reviewers smoothly.

4.      Elevate Your Writing Quality

In the process of preparing your script to match the journal standards, your draft must be written in precise language and with a logical flow. This is going to be a little challenging because you will have to invest time in polishing your grammar, voice, and terminology.

Apart from that, you will have to avoid passive sentence structures or else they might disrupt the clarity of your draft. After that, you can enlist your colleagues for peer edits or try specialized academic editing services to help you refine the text.

5.      Format Every Line Like a Pro

If you are thinking that you can keep on writing however you want, and then fix it later. Let us correct you: you are making the biggest mistake. It will not only double your work, suck your energy, but will also drain a lot of precious time that you could’ve used in something more meaningful.

So, drop the checklists and make a plan instead. Also, make sure that your script looks exactly as the editorial board wants it to look throughout its completion. This mini gesture will help if you later need to switch journals. The framework you prepared will make adaptation easy.

6.      Create a Secondary Document Too

By a secondary document, of course, we do not mean another study, but a cover letter. This will act as your pitch. Hence, you need to go deeper than just summarising the research you have just written. You can do a bunch of different things in it, to keep the editor hooked.

For instance, you should highlight what makes your study timely, relevant, and synergistic with the journal’s mission. Other than this, you can verify that disclosures, author contributions, and data-sharing statements meet transparency standards, which journals always prefer.

The Frequently Asked Questions of a Researcher

What is the first step in preparing a research manuscript?

The first step is selecting a target journal and thoroughly reading its author guidelines. This ensures that your manuscript aligns with their scope, formatting preferences, and submission requirements from the start.

Is it necessary to follow a specific structure?

Yes, most academic journals require a standard format like IMRaD, which stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This helps in maintaining clarity, logical flow, and consistency across published articles.

What are common formatting mistakes to avoid?

• You should avoid inconsistent referencing.
• Improper figure placement is not good either.
• Try not to exceed word limits.
• Make sure the section headings aren’t irrelevant or incorrect.

Should I discuss my manuscript before submission?

Absolutely. Very few people know it, but some journals encourage pre-submission inquiries, especially for borderline topics. So, you can contact the editor and save time while also ensuring that the manuscript aligns with the journal’s focus and interest.

The Summary

Speaking of how to prepare your manuscript for the journal submission, without being rejected in return, one thing is clear: you cannot achieve it without being pre-planned. It takes a strong mind map and a set of 6 proven steps to produce a submission that is accepted by the editorial board of a journal publication.

Moreover, you need to see if your scope aligns with their needs; only then can you expect them to select your draft. Last but not least, be very conscious of the guidelines throughout the writing process and not just in the end.