一般向SCI投稿论文时都会写一份Cover letter，即投稿信。它是为了帮助编辑快速了解文章内容和找到合适的审稿人，一篇内容恰当的cover letter会给你的工作锦上添花，掷出投稿第一块敲门砖。
但Cell Press的editor觉得不少人都不知道为什么要写Cover letter，错误地在这部分重复摘要中的内容，这无疑是极大的浪费。因此就有了下面的指导，跟着Cell学，离投Cell就不远了。
小编稍微整理了一下格式，并将重点加以标记。后面提供了三份模板，有一份有详细的注释。
1. How important is the cover letter？And who will read the cover letter?
Cover letters are provided for editors only, which means that, unlike the title and abstract that will be visible to, let’s hope, billions of people once the paper is published, the cover letter is going to be seen and read by a very tiny group of people.
Nevertheless, these are the people who have the responsibility to decide whether a manuscript is suitable for consideration in the journal it was submitted to. So, convincing the editors that your paper makes a valuable contribution to the knowledge in the field is important, and that’s why you need to put your cover letter to work.
The cover letter is your first “formal” interaction with a journal, and it embodies a request, so to speak, to consider your article for publication. But it also provides you with an excellent opportunity to present the significance of your scientific contribution.
2. How to write a right cover letter?
Some Tips from Catarina, the Editor of Trends in Molecular Medicine.
Two aspects you need to understand clearly.
2.1 Cover letter basics: What do we look for?
1). Let’s start with content.
You should succinctly explain what was previously known and then state your motivation for wishing to publish.
Such as:
- What sets apart this scientific contribution?
- What is the significance of the work, and where does the article lead us?
- Will this research be of interest to a broad readership?
2). Get to the point.
Succinctlyexplain the topic of discussion, and quickly convey the key conclusions. Generally, one page suffices and is preferred.
3). Do not rehash the abstract of the paper.
Copying and pasting the abstract into your cover letter verbatim is a big no-no. Instead, you need to venture beyond the summary: write a sentence that takes you further than the obvious conclusions.
Such as:
- How does the content move the field forward?
- Are the implications far-reaching?
4). Get excited!
Your excitement about the scientific contributions can undoubtedly inspire the editor who’s reading the cover letter. Overall, the sentiment of “you’re gonna love reading this paper!“ should seep through—make that happen!
5). Including a wish list of reviewers.
Relevant information on potential reviewers (including their field of expertise) can be included and is definitely a plus, as it can be quite helpful to the editor.
Don’t provide a long list of excluded reviewers (three maximum), and most certainly do not suggest excluding authors from entire continents on the map! Also, save the editor some time by specifying which author should be the lead contact, and indicate their affiliation.
当然这一部分有的会直接在投稿系统中填写，就不需要占用Cover letter的空间了。
6). Keep it simple and humble.
In terms of style, consider sincerity and simplicity. Statements indicating that the article or related findings have been presented at X number of conferences and are “tremendously” well received by the scientific community—or otherwise—do not add much to the cover letter. They might instead suggest right off the bat that a lot of cooing and convincing of the journal editor will be required. So let the “science” speak for itself. Also, a statement declaring that the article is original and isn’t being considered elsewhere can only add to your cause!
7). Proofread your letter by checking the spelling, grammar, and syntax.
8). Check every detail.
Avoid mistakes such as directing the cover letter to the editor(s) of a different journal, or to a different journal altogether.
A poor example:
Dear Editor-in-Chief,
I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology.
Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience.
With my best regards,
Sincerely yours,
A Researcher, PhD模板一
[Replace bracketed text with your own information and writing.
Best of luck! Email us at AskAnExpert@aje.com with any questions!]
[My Name
University of Research
804 Research Drive
Los Angeles, CA, USA 90210
310-555-1234
m.name@researchu.edu]
[Dr. John Editorian
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Science]
Dear [Dr. Editorian]:
I am pleased to submit an original research article entitled [ “Neofunctionalization of polymerase rho in Ustilago maydis” by Albert Postdoc and My Name] for consideration for publication in [the Journal of Science]. We previously uncovered a role for [polymerase rho in DNA repair in U. maydis (citation)], and this manuscript builds on our prior study to determine the evolution of this unique enzyme.
In this manuscript, we show that [polymerase rho… (list a few important results)].
We believe that this manuscript is appropriate for publication by [the Journal of Science] because it… [specific link to the journal’s aims & scope]. [Our manuscript creates a paradigm for future studies of the evolution of essential enzymes in yeast.]
This manuscript has not been published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. We have no conflicts of interest to disclose, but we do respectfully request that [Dr. Glen Meanie] not review our manuscript. If you feel that the manuscript is appropriate for your journal, we suggest the following reviewers:
[list reviewers and contact info, if requested by the journal]
Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
[My Name, PhD
Professor, Department of Evolutionary Mycology
University of Research]模板二：
Sample cover letter
[Your Name]
[Your Affiliation]
[Your Address]
[Date]
Dear [Editor name],
I/We wish to submit an original research article entitled “[title of article]” for consideration by [journal name].
I/We confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
In this paper, I/we report on / show that _______. This is significant because __________.
We believe that this manuscript is appropriate for publication by [journal name] because it… [specific reference to the journal’s Aims & Scope]. __________.
[Please explain in your own words the significance and novelty of the work, the problem that is being addressed, and why the manuscript belongs in this journal. Do not simply insert your abstract into your cover letter! Briefly describe the research you are reporting in your paper, why it is important, and why you think the readership of the journal would be interested in it.]
We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to me at [email address].
Thank you for your consideration of this manuscript.
Sincerely,
[Your name]模板三
后台回复 cover letter或点击获取三份模板的word版。
- https://www.aje.com/en/arc/writing-cover-letter/
- https://www.editage.com/insights/writing-an-effective-cover-letter-for-journal-submission
- http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/submitting-your-manuscript-write-the-right-cover-letter
- https://wordvice.com/journal-submission-cover-letter/
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