The Writing Process: Planning

As a researcher, you are certainly proficient at conducting research, but sharing it can be challenging. Picture yourself at Sunday dinner, for example, eagerly attempting to explain months of meticulous research to your family, or grappling with how to distill complex concepts for a curious friend. 

In both scenarios, the ability to clearly articulate your project's story becomes paramount, a crucial post-research step in crafting a winning manuscript. In the words of Shane A. Parrish, "Writing that lacks simplicity reveals thinking that lacks understanding."  

While the pursuit of knowledge often takes precedence, the written manuscript serves as your most potent tool for disseminating research to the broader community. Navigating the scientific writing process can be daunting, though, so where do you begin, and how can it be simplified? 

Because a quality manuscript is essential for ensuring that your message remains focused and resonates with readers, a solid planning strategy is key. Start by asking these fundamental questions, What, How, Why, and Who:    

What is Your Manuscript About? 

Can you capture the essence of your manuscript in a single sentence? By forcing you to distill your thoughts into a concise statement, this exercise clarifies both focus and direction.  

Think of this assertion as your “elevator pitch” for explaining the manuscript’s project quickly and succinctly. Also, read other papers that address similar topics and refine your description to align with existing research.  

How Does Your Manuscript Contribute to the Scientific Literature? 

Reflect on how your work fits into the broader landscape of scientific inquiry. Have similar findings been reported? Which gaps in knowledge does your paper aim to fill?  

These realizations guide your angle for writing a compelling manuscript that implores readers to delve into the story of your research project. A well-written manuscript is the best way to display this originality and impact of your project.  

Why Would Your Manuscript Make an Impact? 

Consider the potential implications of your findings. How will your manuscript challenge or add to existing concepts and practices within the field?  

The significance of your work lies not only in its novelty but also in its potential to reshape the discourse and advance knowledge. Understanding your project’s potential to shape future research infuses the writing process with the sense of gravity and urgency needed to create a manuscript that is both relevant and interesting. 

Who Cares About Your Manuscript? 

Identify your target audience, the readers who will engage with your manuscript and derive value from its insights. Knowing the audience allows you to tailor the writing to their needs and interests. 

 It is imperative to recognize that peer reviewers, journal editors, and colleagues make up only a small portion of your target audience. Dig deep to determine who you are truly aiming to reach with this manuscript, including industry experts, policy makers, media, and the general public. Try asking questions like these: 

• Who is the most important general audience I want to reach? 
• How big is that audience? 
• What is this audience’s level of interest in my research? 
• How can I tailor my manuscript to appeal to the target audience? 

Further Manuscript Planning 

Now that you’ve addressed these internal questions, there are some basic external steps that must be taken when planning your manuscript, such as checking journal guidelines and writing a cover letter.  

Journal Guidelines 

Selecting the right journal is paramount to ensuring that your manuscript reaches its intended audience. Actually engaging with those journals requires you to learn and follow their guidelines.  

Here are some examples from Springer Nature: 

• Initial Submission: “This guide outlines key points for preparing primary research manuscripts for submission to Nature.” 
• Instructions for Authors: Offers detailed instructions for formatting and submitting a manuscript to Springer Nature. 
• Artificial Intelligence: Outlines Springer Nature’s editorial guidelines regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence. 

After perusing these examples, it becomes obvious that familiarizing yourself with the guidelines and policies of each publisher prior to approaching them with the manuscript is crucial. You need to align your vision statement with the conventions of potential journals from the start to ensure that your manuscript meets their standards. 

The Cover Letter 

Crafting a compelling cover letter serves as your introduction to the scholarly community, offering a glimpse into the significance of your work and its potential impact. Its goal is to capture the editor’s attention and sway them to send your work for peer review. 

 Use the cover letter to disclose any related manuscripts under consideration elsewhere and to declare the exclusivity of your submission. To ensure the success of your cover letter, employ a checklist like this: 

1. Ensure adherence to journal guidelines. 
2. Address the editor by name. 
3. Include submission date and journal name. 
4. Outline manuscript in the first paragraph. 
5. Summarize findings and significance in the second paragraph. 
6. Highlight relevance to journal in the third paragraph. 
7. Conclude with journal-specific requirements and identifying the corresponding author. 
8. Include standard confirmation sentences. 

Remember, this is your chance to illustrate why your manuscript is relevant to the journal’s readership, so expend the effort to make it compelling. 

Final Thoughts 

The journey of writing begins with a single step, planning. It is the often-overlooked jumping board for crafting a manuscript that resonates with readers by telling the unique story of your research project.  

Navigating the intricacies of manuscript planning involves more than internal reflection, it requires an understanding of external factors. Careful planning leads to thoughtful execution that not only improves the chances of publication but also increases the probability of reaching your target audience. 

Consider the words of Shane A. Parrish: "Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That's why it's so hard." Embrace the planning process as the foundation upon which your manuscript's success is built and let your clarity of thought pave the way for impactful scientific communication.