Preparing an article for Inquiry is a collaboration between author and editor. It can be a long process, but in the end you will be pleased with yourself and with the results. Before this collaboration can begin, however, you, the author, must make some initial, basic decisions and revisions. Below is some advice on how to do this. We encourage you to meet with a writing assistant in the Connors Writing Center as you begin this first stage of revision.
Respect the word limits: In their final forms, research articles should not exceed 2500 words and commentaries should be kept to 1000.
Respect your readers: Aim to make your subject clear, interesting, and relevant to a wide audience, many of whom will know little about your research discipline but are willing to be informed.
Tell your readers right away exactly what your subject or question is, why it’s important, and why they should be interested in it.
Ask yourself these questions (they will help you begin revising):
- What information, misinformation, and opinions are general readers likely to have about my subject?
- What is my specific goal: what do I want readers to know about my research experience and results?
- To accomplish this goal, what information needs to be added, what should be omitted?
- What might be an effective organization of my information?
- What terms and concepts need defining? Which can be omitted?
Be kind to your readers (as you begin and continue revisions):
- Use the active voice—even say “I”— to let your interest and enthusiasm be heard.
- Use technical terms sparingly, and always define them.
- Clarify difficult concepts with examples and analogies, or with (numbered) pictures, charts, and graphs. However, remember that these only illustrate a point which has already been made.
- Minimize the number of acronyms whose meanings readers must remember.
- Be sure all pronouns have antecedents—and this includes such words as “this” and “that.”
Know when to let go: At some point you and your editor will say “It’s not perfect but it’s good enough (and we have run out of time).” A staff editor will go over your text for completeness and a final check on grammar, style, and punctuation correctness before it is formatted for the Web site. You will get a look at what you and your editor have produced on a test site before the issue goes online. You may make any necessary corrections at that time.
