How to prepare a manuscript and insights into the process of manuscript reviewing

1. How to prepare a manuscript and insights into the process of manuscript reviewing Anne Simon CBMG

2. Keys to manuscript writing • Start with deciding what is the main point- the take home lesson • of the paper • Decide on the journal- how important are the results? • Prepare all your Figures the final publication size– • decide on the order • What is the story?

3. Keys to manuscript writing • Introduction: • Forget about the first sentence . Start with the second sentence • All information should be relevant to understanding the results and • importance of the paper • Start with why the subject is important. What is known. What isn’t • known • Each paragraph should have a main thought. Prepare an outline with • the thought of each paragraph.

4. Keys to manuscript writing • Results: • Don’t start by repeating your introduction. One sentence is ok. • Each experiment should be written up like it’s an individual paper • Introduction (one or two sentences) • Methods (give enough info here that the reader doesn’t have • to go the M&M section unless they want to) • (this should be one paragraph) • Results (informative and clear- be precise- make sure what you • are writing matches what you SEE in the figure. In other • words, if you say “no significant difference” there shouldn’t • be one) • Discussion (what the results mean in one or two sentences) • (this should be one to two paragraphs or more depending on complexity)

5. Keys to manuscript writing • Discussion • Don’t repeat your results. A sentence that describes the results • that you are going to discuss is ok. • Prepare an outline of each result and what you want to discuss • Fit the work into the field. Don’t overly speculate

6. Keys to manuscript writing • Make each sentence count • Be concise but informative • Write for an audience that knows nothing about your work • Be meticulous!!!!! What you turn in to your advisor or anyone • reading the manuscript should be as perfect as you can • make it. • Keep a notebook with changes that your advisor makes so that • next time, you do not repeat the same types of mistakes

7. Write, write and re-write • Keep reading from the beginning each time that you start • writing • Read what you have written out load (read each word). Very simple • to see then if the sentences are too long or if the wording is • confusing • Read each sentence out loud. Does each sentence follow the • one before it? Does each sentence make a point? Does the reader • have enough information to understand the sentence when read? • The draft is finished when you can read it completely through • without making any changes • Look at the Figures. Does the text match exactly what you see? • (if you say “no significant difference” there shouldn’t be one)

8. Sending in the paper • Chose the right journal and editor • Make sure the importance of the manuscript is clearly stated in • the letter • Chose the potential reviewers carefully!

9. Job of the editor • Should the paper get reviewed? • Pick reviewers • Make decisions based on… • What if you (the author) don’t agree with the reviewers??