WRT533: Assignment 1

Journal Guide to Authors
given 1/23 | due 1/30

Syllabus | Grading | Dr. Logan

A well-written article in a scientific journal has both good content and appropriate writing style. Content is determined by the scope of the journal. Style is set by instructions to authors and by reference to published style guidelines and rules.

Scientists from different fields differ in their traditions. Their journals reflect traditions in both content and style of articles. Journal style difference are even greater between the life sciences and engineering, the social sciences, and the arts. There are also differences of opinion between scholars at different universities and between generations of scientists. Style guides, it seems, have new editions at least every decade or so! For you to have a more precise idea of what is correct and contemporary—knowledge you will need not only to write well, but also to defend your writing from critics—you must be aware of current guides to practice in the journals in which you hope to publish.

This assignment will help you find the accepted practices within your scientific discipline.

  1. List the top three journals in your field. If you need help, ask your advisor or professors in your field. For each journal, write a paragraph to describe the domain of each (what kinds of topics does each include?). From reading your paragraphs, I should know whether a particular article in your field belongs in one of the three journals.
  2. Secure a copy the current Guide to Authors for one of your journals. It is usually published as part of the journal or as part of a related publication by the professional society: you may be able to find this by talking to a professor or by going to the journals (or professional society’s) web site. (optional)
  3. Determine whether your journal (the one selected in 2, above) follows a particular style guide for format (e.g., CBE Style Manual, APA Publication Manual—see below). You have only to name the guide to complete this part of the assignment.
  4. Copy at least one article of your choosing from recent issues of your journal for use in the next assignment.

You should have completed this by Monday. You will submit a copy of your journal descriptions to indicate that you have completed this assignment. File the Guide to Authors for future reference, but do not hand it in. We will use the copied article in your next assignment.

References

Council of Biology Editors (CBE Style Manual Committee). 1994. CBE Style Manual, 6th Edition. Council of Biology Editors, Inc., Bethesda, MD. 324 pages.

American Psychological Association. 2001. Publication Manual: Fifth Edition. 400 pages. (www.apa.org)