Emirates College of Health, Sciences and Technology, Kano

Community Health Department

Communication in English II (GNS 202)

Lecture Notes on:

Techniques of Writing for Publication

Tutor: Muhammad Ahmad

August, 2023
 Techniques of Writing for Publication

Writing for publication requires a combination of effective techniques to convey ideas

clearly and engage readers. Several key strategies can enhance the quality of your work

and increase its chances of being accepted by publishers. Below are some essential

techniques along with relevant citations:

1. Clear Structure and Organization: A well-structured article enhances readability.

Use headings, subheadings, and a logical flow of ideas to guide readers through

your content (Kallestinova, 2017).

2. Engaging Introduction: Capture readers' attention with a concise yet intriguing

introduction that outlines the problem or research question (Swales, 2004).

3. Concise and Precise Language: Use clear and concise language to convey

complex ideas effectively (Day & Gastel, 2012).

4. Evidence-Based Content: Back your arguments with relevant data, research, and

evidence to build credibility (Council of Science Editors, 2014).

5. Active Voice and Clarity: Use active voice to enhance clarity and maintain a

consistent tone throughout the article (Lindsay, 2015).

6. Proper Citation and Referencing: Ensure proper citation of sources to

acknowledge prior work and avoid plagiarism (American Psychological

Association, 2020).
 7. Effective Use of Graphics: Incorporate tables, figures, and diagrams to visually

represent data or concepts (Tufte, 2001).

8. Peer Review and Revisions: Seek feedback from peers and experts to refine your

work before submission (Wager et al., 2017).

9. Ethical Considerations: Adhere to ethical guidelines related to authorship, data

sharing, and conflicts of interest (International Committee of Medical Journal

Editors, 2021).

10. Grammar and Style: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and writing style to

ensure professionalism (Strunk & White, 2000).

Note; Remember that each publication venue might have specific guidelines and

expectations. Tailoring your writing techniques to suit your target journal's

requirements is crucial for a successful submission.

References:

Kallestinova, E. D. (2017). How to write your first research paper. Yale Journal of

Biology and Medicine, 90(3), 403-406.

Swales, J. M. (2004). Research genres: Explorations and applications. Cambridge

University Press.

Day, R. A., & Gastel, B. (2012). How to write and publish a scientific paper. Greenwood.

Council of Science Editors. (2014). Scientific style and format: The CSE manual for
authors, editors, and publishers. University of Chicago Press.

Lindsay, D. (2015). Scientific writing = thinking in words. CSIRO Publishing.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Tufte, E. R. (2001). The visual display of quantitative information (2nd ed.). Graphics

Press.

Wager, E., et al. (2017). How to get published in medical education journals: Ten steps

to success. Medical Teacher, 39(10), 1036-1043.

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. (2021). Recommendations for the

Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals.

Strunk, W., & White, E. B. (2000). The elements of style (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon