Writing Articles for International Publication in Peer-reviewed Journals in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Workshop Day 1: Writing Articles for International Publication

This workshop for researchers seeking to publish in peer-reviewed journals focuses on the key criteria involved in journal editors’ selection processes and peer-review, and how to meet them. Based on the inside knowledge of an experienced academic publisher, it is designed to develop essential skills in writing articles in order to increase researchers’ chances of placing their work in premium scholarly journals, to the benefit of their academic profile and career prospects. There will be a mixture of presentation, discussion, interactive exercises and writing exercises, and handouts will be supplied for further reference.

Why publish, and where to publish?

• Reasons for writing (and reasons for others to read your work)
• Choosing the right journal

What journal editors look for

• What are their criteria, and how will you meet them?

Addressing your readership

• Context, genre and level
• German and international readerships
• What’s in it for the reader?

Writing tips

• First impressions and avoiding clichés
• Stylistic principles

Presenting a scholarly argument

• Making claims with confidence
• Use of secondary scholarship
• Case studies and their larger implications

Workshop Day 2: Peer Review, Publication and Writing the Abstract for your Article

The second day begins with a session designed to demystify the processes of peer review, providing insights into the selection process, a survival guide for the uninitiated, and advice on how to make the most of this vital element of the publishing system. It goes on to cover the stages of journal production, covering publishing practicalities including important questions relating to copyright and open access. The final section of the workshop is devoted to a practical guide to writing the abstract for a journal article, helping participants to find clear and powerful ways to summarise their articles and enhance the profile of their work.

The peer-review process

• Readers’ reports, revision and acceptance
• Handling criticism for the benefit of your article

Article publication

• The production process - implications for what you submit
• Copyright, licensing and open access – what you need to know
• The afterlife of a published article – readers’ access to your work

Writing an abstract for your article

• What are abstracts for, and what makes an effective abstract?
• Key elements to structure your abstract – quickfire drafting exercise
• Keywords
• Revising and editing

Workshop tutor Josie Dixon is an international publishing and research training consultant. Following a 15-year career in academic publishing, she has given training workshops for postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers and staff in the Humanities and Social Sciences in over 100 universities in the UK, USA, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Finland. More details at http://www.lucianconsulting.com