How to write an article for a professional journal
Do you recall a time when you wanted to share your thoughts about how your job or profession could be improved or to tell others about a new technique or novel idea which you found useful—but were afraid to put those ideas on paper and send them to a journal? ‘What chance would I have,’ you said to yourself, ‘of having an article accepted?’ The following advice will hopefully help you overcome such doubts…
1. Be confident: you can do it.
Almost any idea about a new, innovative, or successful practice, if well written and organized, can make a contribution to the professional literature. What often seems obvious to you in your daily workplace may not be that apparent to others. Believe that you have the ability to write! That aside, basic writing techniques can be developed and should be part of your professional repertoire.
2. Be aware of current trends.
Keep up with the current literature in your field and the general literature, so that you’re aware of current trends, innovations, and what is being written about in the literature. Read as many articles as you can, and also peruse tables of contents. Often your general reading will stimulate your thinking and suggest several possible topics. Your workplace provides a wealth of professional information that could provide the basis for interesting articles and ‘stories’.
3. Share your idea with colleagues.
Discuss issues with your friends and colleagues. This interchange will help you think through all of the aspects of a possible topic and help you to anticipate potential objections to your ideas. You might like to consider collaborating with a colleague in the actual writing of the article. Although this does not always make the writing any easier, the professional fellowship itself can be rewarding.
