publishing journal articles claire mcmurray, ph.d., ku writing center
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Publishing Journal Articles
Claire McMurray, Ph.D., KU Writing Center
Types of Academic PublicationsAnnotated bibliography
Book reviewConference proceedings
Trade or professional article
Notes InterviewTranslationResponse articleTheoretical article
• Social science research article• Quantitative• Qualitative• Interpretive
• Natural science research article
• Article in the humanities• Edited collection• Book chapter• Book
Journal Articles: Where do they fit in?• Narrow scope, context, claims
• 20-40 pgs.• Often published 2-3 years after submission• Carefully organized around a single significant
idea• Submitted one at a time
They usually do one of the following:• Say something new about something old• Approach new evidence in an old way• Approach old evidence in a new way• Pair old evidence with old approaches in a new
way
The Golden Rule of Journal Articles
Target
&Tailor
Targeting: Types of Journals
Non-peer-reviewed
Peer-reviewedAcademic vs. professional journals
Rankings
Targeting: how to investigate• Ask advisor and colleagues• Conduct a shelf search• Check citations/bibliography• Join associations in your field• Check electronic databases and
subject librarian• Check electronic archives
(JSTOR, Google Scholar)• Check websites of large academic
publishers (Oxford, Cambridge University Press, etc.)
• “Journal Seek” (www.genomics.com)
• Should have a list of at least a dozen possible journals
Targeting: how to evaluate
• Use print versions in library
• Look at rankings (but don’t just target the most “prestigious”)
• Privilege peer-reviewed journals
• General questions to ask yourself
• Specific questions to ask yourself
Targeting: next steps
Investigate each journal’s fitOrganize information about each journalCreate a “ranking” for sending out your article, choose one to begin with
Talk to anyone you know who has published in the journal
Skim a few issues and analyze an articleSend query emails to 2-3 editors
TailoringConsider using similar title, structure, subheadings, length, scope, tone, and “spin” as in your journal of choice
Consider citing journals from that field (or the journal itself) and/or scholars on that journal’s board
Never forget the journal’s intended audience
It is helpful to write using forecasting, signposting, and signaling
Reasons for rejection Inappropriate journal No argument Focus too narrow/broad Off topic Not scholarly Too defensive No sufficiently original Poor structure Not significant Theoretical or
methodological flaw Too many grammar/spelling
errors
Keep trying and don’t lose hope!
A 40%-60% rejection rate is standard. It can
reach 90%+ for prestigious journals.
And now for a hands-on activity…
The instant thesis makerWhen disagreeing with a current theory:
Although ______________(general statement, opposite opinion),
nevertheless __________________________ (your idea/thesis)
because __________________________ (examples, evidence).
When agreeing with a current theory:
Many scholars argue that ________________ (your idea, thesis)
and I agree because _________________(examples, evidence).
Structuring journal articles Outline a model article in the journal and use as a guide Suggested structures: known → unknown
simple → complex, uncontested → contested general → particular, past → present
Use subheadings Use summary Avoid discovery or “mystery novel” structure Organize around your main argument Stay on topic Develop examples evenly (balance sections) After writing, outline your own article (reverse outlining) or
draw a map of it Have someone at the Writing Center read it
Submitting your journal articleSubmit cover letter to editor on letterhead
Put article in journal’s style, following guidelines and citation method exactly
Consult pgs. 181-182 in Belcher’s book for full list of dos/don’ts for electronic and print submissions
Congratulations on a big step!
Journal DecisionsAcceptance
Revise and resubmit (minor issues)
Revise and resubmit (larger issues)
Rejection (will entertain a resubmission)
Rejection (complete dismissal)
SourcesBelcher, Wendy. Writing your Journal Article in 12 Weeks. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publishing, Inc., 2009.
(available at KU Library)
Murray, Rowena. Writing for Academic Journals. New York: McGraw-Hill Open University Press, 2009.
(available at KU Library)
Need some encouragement?
Come visit the Writing Center for more help!
http://www.writing.ku.edu/how-it-works
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