很多投稿者相当苦恼该如何写出一封完美的投稿信， 应该许多学生甚至怀疑投稿信写不好有区别吗? 千万不要小看投稿信的作用，这篇我们将说明(1) 为什么要写好投稿信、(2)好的投稿信应该要覆盖什么与(3)如何架构一篇投稿信，最后一个部分将包含模板、详细说明与有用资讯。

投稿信(cover letter)有什么功能?

研究论文主要是证明研究的价值，而具有说服力的投稿信则是你向期刊介绍其重要性并将想法「洗脑」给期刊编辑的机会。

遗憾的是我们必须承认是否接收论文的其中一个主要因素是期刊的商业模式，编辑必须选择能引起期刊读者兴趣的文章，也就是说论文必须要能帮期刊赚钱。  如果无法从论文的标题与内容判别能够引起多少读者兴趣时，投稿信就是你说服期刊编辑的重要机会。

除了经营模式之外，许多期刊编辑也利用投稿信来筛选出没有跟随指示的投稿者。  举例，期刊的要求作者在投稿信写入介绍、推荐审稿者与道德实践的陈述等内容却出现缺漏，这样的投稿信极可能导致被拒稿。不论该研究有多牛，从作者错失这些细节来看，很容易被认为作者粗心随意，更可能进一步质疑研究质量与研究完整性。

投稿信(cover letter)应该要包括?

再次强调，照着投稿期刊的作者须知写! 不论网路上或从别人那边听来了什么资讯，期刊要求的内容都是优先顺利。再强调一次刚刚讲的，无法跟从期刊指示的话，会被拒稿。

接下来介绍一般需要包含在投稿信内的以及不可以出现的内容:

必要信息:

• 编辑姓名(确知的时候)

• 你投稿的期刊名

• 论文标题

• 文章类别 (review, research, case study等)

• 提交日期

• 研究的简短背景介绍与研究目的

• 研究方法的简介

• 对科学界的意义 (该研究能如何促进我们对某概念的理解)

• 通讯作者联络方式

• 该论文先前没有被刊登过也没有接受其他期刊的发表审核以及所有作者都同意授权投稿到该期刊

一般常见需提供的信息:

• 该期刊先前发表过与自己论文类似的文章清单

• 你或共同作者曾经参与过的论文清单或正在接受其他期刊审查的相关研究论文清单。你可以包含这些论文复本。

• 提及任何与编辑先前有过的讨论(例如:你之前在某个研讨会与编辑讨论过该主题)

• 评估你的论文所需的技术专长

• 推荐的审稿者以及他们的联络资讯

• 必要的话，列出须避开的审稿者(此项也极可能在线上提交时被要求填入)

• 其他期刊要求之陈述(例:符合道德规范、利益冲突、作者一致同意投稿之陈述或版权登录等等)

不应该写入:

• 不要写太多专业术语或缩写

• 不要夸大研究的发现或其重要性。尽量避免使用“novel”、“first ever”和“paradigm-changing” 等字眼，因为这些字眼隐射出偏见，会让编辑怀疑你是否能够客观评估自己的研究。

• 不要炫耀作者 列出一些可能会对你论文有兴趣的人跟作者的名声并不会引起期刊编辑的兴趣，他们只想知道是否你的研究符合期刊的范围，所以请专注在强调其关连。

• 不要写太长 即使你想要把研究解释得很完善，我们建议cover letter应该要浓缩在一页。毕竟这是一个研究的总简介，不应该太长。

• 避免诙谐 我们知道作者都很希望能够获得期刊编辑的注意，想引起注意的方法有很多种，但请不要写歪!

该如何架构投稿信(cover letter)?

建议使用正确的学术用语，而且现在很多投稿都是透过电子邮件，以下我们提供调整好的电子投稿信范文给大家。如果是邮寄PDF或纸本，把你的联络方式移到页面的左上方，但如果你使用的纸是pre-printed，你的联络信息则应该要在页面的中间。

ANNOTATED TEMPLATEJournal Submissions Cover Letter

[Journal Editor’s First and Last Name][, Graduate Degree (if any)]

TIP: It’s customary to include any graduate degrees in the addressee’s name.eg, John Smith, MD or Carolyn Daniels, MPH[Title]eg, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Co-Editors-in-Chief

[Journal Name][Journal Address][Submission Date: Month Day, Year]

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. [Editor’s last name]:

TIP: Where the editor’s name is not known, use the relevant title employed by the journal, such as “Dear Managing Editor :” or “Dear Editor-in-Chief:”. Using a person’s name is best, however. Also, websites may be outdated, so call the journal to confirm to whom you should address your cover letter when in doubt.

TIP: Use “Ms.” and never “Mrs.” or “Miss” in formal business letters.

TIP: Never use “Dear Sirs:” or any similar expression. Many editors will find this insulting, especially given that many of them are female!

[Para.1: 2–3 sentences] I am writing to submit our manuscript entitled, [“Title”] for consideration as a [Journal Name][Article Type]. [One to two sentence “pitch” that summarizes the study design, where applicable, your research question, your major findings, and the conclusion.]

eg, I am writing to submit our manuscript entitled, “X Marks the Spot” for consideration as an Awesome Science Journal research article. We examined the efficacy of using X factors as indicators for depression in Y subjects in Z regions through a 12-month prospective cohort study and can confirm that monitoring the levels of X is critical to identifying the onset of depression, regardless of geographical influences.

TIP: Useful phrases to discuss your findings and conclusion include:

• Our findings confirm that…

• We have determined that…

• Our results suggest…

• We found that…

• We illustrate…

• Our findings reveal…

• Our study clarifies…

• Our research corroborates…

• Our results establish…

• Our work substantiates…

[Para. 2: 2–5 sentences] Given that [context that prompted your research], we believe that the findings presented in our paper will appeal to the [Reader Profile] who subscribe to [Journal Name]. Our findings will allow your readers to [identify the aspects of the journal’s Aim and Scope that align with your paper].

TIP: Identify the journal’s typical audience and how those people can utilize your research to expand their understanding of a topic. For example, if many of your target journal’s readers are interested in the public policy implications of various research studies, you may wish to discuss how your conclusions can help your peers to develop stronger policies that more effectively address public concerns.

TIP: Include context about why this research question had to be addressed.

e.g., “Given the struggle policymakers have had to define proper criteria to diagnose the onset of depression in teenagers, we felt compelled to identify a cost-effective and universal methodology that local school administrators can use to screen students.”

TIP: If your paper was prompted by prior research, state this. For example, “After initially researching X, Y approached us to conduct a follow-up study that examined Z. While pursuing this project, we discovered [some new understanding that made you decide the information needed to be shared with your peers via publication.]“

e.g., Given the alarming increase in depression rates among teenagers and the lack of any uniform practical tests for screening students, we believe that the findings presented in our paper will appeal to education policymakers who subscribe to The Journal of Education. Although prior research has identified a few methods that could be used in depression screening, such as X and Y, the applications developed from those findings have been cost-prohibitive and difficult to administer on a national level. Thus, our findings will allow your readers to understand the factors involved in identifying the onset of depression in teenagers better and develop more cost-effective screening procedures that can be employed nationally. In so doing, we hope that our research advances the toolset needed to combat the concerns preoccupying the minds of many school administrators.

[Para 3: Similar works] “This manuscript expands on the prior research conducted and published by [Authors] in [Journal Name]” or “This paper [examines a different aspect of]/ [takes a different approach to] the issues explored in the following papers also published by [Journal Name].”

1. Article 1

2. Article 2

3. Article 3

TIP: You should mention similar studies recently published by your target journal, if any, but list no more than five. If you only want to mention one article, replace the preceding sentence with “This paper [examines a different aspect of]/ [takes a different approach to] the issues explored by [Authors] in [Article Title], also published by [Journal Name] on [DATE].”

[Para. 4: Additional statements often required] Each of the authors confirms that this manuscript has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration by any other journal. Additionally, all of the authors have approved the contents of this paper and have agreed to the [Journal Name]‘s submission policies.

TIP: If you have previously publicly shared some form or part of your research elsewhere, state so. For example, you can say, “We have presented a subset of our findings [at Event]/ [as a Type of Publication Medium] in [Location] in [Year].”

e.g., We have since expanded the scope of our research to contemplate international feasibility and acquired additional data that has helped us to develop a new understanding of geographical influences.

[Para. 5: Potential Reviewers] Should you select our manuscript for peer review, we would like to suggest the following potential reviewers/referees because they would have the requisite background to evaluate our findings and interpretation objectively.

• [Name, institution, email, expertise]

• [Name, institution, email, expertise]

• [Name, institution, email, expertise]

To the best of our knowledge, none of the above-suggested persons have any conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

TIP: Include 3–5 reviewers since it is likely that the journal will use at least one of your suggestions.

TIP: Use whichever term (“reviewer” or “referee”) your target journal uses. Paying close attention to a journal’s terminology is a sign that you have properly researched the journal and have prepared!

[Para. 6: Frequently requested additional information] Each named author has substantially contributed to conducting the underlying research and drafting this manuscript. Additionally, to the best of our knowledge, the named authors have no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Corresponding AuthorInstitution TitleInstitution/Affiliation Name[Institution Address][Your e-mail address][Tel: (include relevant country/area code)][Fax: (include relevant country/area code)]

Additional Contact [should the corresponding author not be available]Institution TitleInstitution/Affiliation Name[Institution Address][Your e-mail address][Tel: (include relevant country/area code)][Fax: (include relevant country/area code)]

投稿信（cover letter）最后检查清单

1. Set the font to Arial or Times New Roman, size 12 point.

2. Single-space all text.

3. Use one line space between body paragraphs.

4. Do not indent paragraphs.

5. Keep all text left justified.

6. Use spelling and grammar check software.

7. Double-check the editor’s name. Call the journal to confirm if necessary.