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