Scientific Writing
It is critical to understand the important elements of a scientific paper and how to most effectively describe research results in the context of your manuscript. While writing your paper can seem like an afterthought compared to years of work in the lab, the way you convey your findings can have a profound impact on editors, reviewers, and your readers. Here are some resources to help you maximize the potential of your next ACS paper.
Mastering the Art of Scientific Publication
ACS editors are highly experienced researchers full of valuable observations from years of running top journals. We’ve collected a number of their top suggestions about making your research stand out and clearly conveying your findings into a virtual issue entitled "Mastering the Art of Scientific Publication." Visit the issue to learn more about writing cover letters, employing best practices for citations, writing compelling results and methods sections, choosing the best title, and much more.
Before You Write Your Paper
Writing a good paper starts well before you type the first letter. Link your data together to tell a story to your peers (and the world). And remember to start early! Don’t wait until all the data is complete, because your results may take you in a new direction with additional controls or experiments. Find out more with ACS Author Lab, an online training course that empowers authors to prepare and submit strong manuscripts, avoiding errors that could lead to delays in the publication process.
Getting Started Writing Your Paper
With your story in mind, the next step is turning that into a written document that is ready to share. ACS Author Lab was developed by ACS Editors and ACS Publications staff to help authors identify key considerations for each step of publishing a manuscript, with course modules that cover the following:
- Selecting the right journal
- Showcasing the significance of your work
- Effectively describing your research
- Creating publication-ready visuals
- Finalizing your manuscript and preparing for submission
- Navigating the revision process
- Adhering to ethical guidelines
- An academic writing approach for multilingual authors
Best of luck with your next paper! We hope you’ll consider submitting to an ACS journal when it’s ready.
