Journal articles

This branch covers writing for journals, divided by the kind of contribution and its reporting requirements: research manuscripts, reports by study design, reviews, opinion pieces, letters, publication summaries, digital enhancements and resource reviews. Journal submission and publication processes, congress materials, regulatory reports, consensus statements and participant-facing trial-results summaries belong to neighbouring branches.

• Research manuscripts — the professional writer’s role, the paper’s contribution, planning, structure, individual sections, use of a clinical study report and reasons for rejection
• Reports by study design — the details and reporting guidelines specific to each study design or kind of investigation
• Review articles — contribution, review forms, scope, evidence selection, organisation, drafting, revision and commissioned reviews
• Editorials and commentary — forms and purposes, assignments, author selection, argument, drafting and responsibilities
• Letters to the editor — focused contributions, evidence, replies and corrections, length, timing, submission and editorial handling
• Plain language summaries of publications — purpose and audience, guidance, ethics, cocreation, writing, formats, publication and discovery
• Digital enhancements to a publication — formats, uptake, perceived value, client objections, journal requirements, dissemination and production skills
• Book reviews — taking an assignment, identifying readers, judging a resource against its purpose, adapting to the resource and writing short notices