How to Get Published Judy Rollins, PhD, RN Elizabeth Ahmann, ScD, RN, ACC I. Identification of topics A. Best writing B. Sources of ideas C. Focus wheels II. Strategies for brainstorming potential content around a topic A. Brainstorming B. Mindmapping III. Strategies for overcoming writer’s block or fear of writing A. Possible causes B. Tips C. Team writing IV. Characteristics of a good manuscript A. Tips for a good manuscript B. Steps to effective writing C. Reducing bias in language D. Types of articles E. Putting it all together V. Helpful websites Objectives How to Get Published Judy Rollins, PhD, RN Elizabeth Ahmann, ScD, RN, ACC Identify a topic to develop into a manuscript for publication. Identify at least one strategy for brainstorming potential content around a topic. Discuss strategies for overcoming writer's block or fear of writing. List the characteristics of a good manuscript. 27th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference June 25, 2011 Objective One: Identify a topic to develop into a manuscript for publication. Best Writing Something you know about Something you wonder about Something you care about Using a Focus Wheel to Narrow Topic Sources of ideas: Question you want to learn about Interesting case New practice Research study Group discussion Gap in the literature BRAINSTORMING Objective Two: Purpose: to generate ideas on a topic Identify at least one strategy for brainstorming potential content around a topic. Three methods: Mind dump – write all words or phrases that come to mind about the topic for 10 minutes, then look for categories of similar ideas Free writing – write continuously on the topic for 15 minutes, no stopping, even if you have to add in nonsense, then sift through for “gems” Mind map – starting with your topic, lay out categories, thoughts, and connections visually _______________________________________________________________ For other methods, see: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/brainstorming.html HOW TO MINDMAP Guidelines for Brainstorming Strive for quantity of ideas Include questions Record all thoughts Follow associations freely Welcome unusual ideas Avoid judgment or censoring of ideas in this phase www.msun.edu/.../nursing/.../CONCEPT%20MIND%20MAPPING.pdf Objective Three: Discuss strategies for overcoming writer's block or fear of writing. Note: From Stevens, 2006 Writers Block? Assess possible causes: Lack of clarity in thoughts Use brainstorming techniques – try several! Lack of clarity in thoughts Look at the structure of articles similar to what you’d like to write. Time constraints Read more about your topic. Stress when facing the page Use focusing wheels. Self-consciousness or low confidence Talk your subject through with someone, asking them to take notes. Time constraints Stress facing the page Resign yourself to the fact that you’ve decided to write! Set aside specific times to write – make appointments with yourself. Pick a time with few distractions (early morning?) Set up deadlines by which you will give certain pieces of your writing to a colleague for review. Self-consciousness / low confidence Break the writing into discrete steps and tackle just one step at time. Make yourself write down something for each step, no matter how “good”, and move on to the next step. Celebrate completion of each step! Remember: the first draft can/will be revised. Work with a partner or team. Use the tips for “Stress facing the page.” Other tips for “writer’s block” Begin anywhere – middle, end, a chart or graph. The reader will never know where you started! Always stop at a point where you know what you plan to say next – it’ll be easier to start again. Tape yourself talking about the topic, then transcribe what you said. Change the audience: pretend you are writing to your mother, a close friend, a child. Play a role – pretend you are someone else writing the paper! Team Writing Objective Four: Divide up the parts Select one person to be led author Communicate regularly List the characteristics of a good manuscript. Set deadlines Celebrate success 8 Tips for a Good Manuscript Ten Steps to Effective Writing 1. Control sentence length and style. 1. Well-designed introductory section 2. Trim all unnecessary words. 2. Clear description of the topic 3. Include only one idea in each sentence. 3. Sufficient literature review 4. Keep your words simple. 4. Appropriate citations/reference list 5. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. 5. Clear organization 6. Use transitional words. 6. Effective writing 7. Use specific not abstract words. 7. Correct mechanics and grammar 8. Use positive, strong, colorful, definitive language. 8. Suitable length 9. Organize ideas and sentences. 10. Review, cut, review, cut. Control sentence length and style. Trim all unnecessary words. Include only one idea in each sentence. Keep your words simple. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Use transitional words. http://ysr1.deviantart.com/ Use specific not abstract words. Use positive, strong, colorful, definitive language. Organize ideas and sentences. Review, cut, review, cut. People First Language People First Language Labels that Stereotype and Devalue People First Language Labels that Stereotype and Devalue People First Language The handicapped; the disabled People, individuals with disabilities; child with a disability The deaf Child who is deaf; has a hearing impairment/loss; is hard of hearing Normal children Typical children; typically developing child The blind Child who is blind; has a visual impairment, low vision An epileptic; a victim of epilepsy Child who has epilepsy; has a seizure disorder The mentally retarded; Down’s child Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities; child has a cognitive impairment; child with Down syndrome Wheelchair bound; confined to a wheelchair The mentally ill; the emotionally disturbed Children with a mental illness; child who has an emotional disability Child who uses a wheelchair; child with a mobility impairment; walks with crutches Child with a birth defect Child has a congenital disability Child is learning disabled Child has a learning disability Child suffering from leukemia Child has leukemia Gender Issues Types of Articles Issue Examples Research studies Males, females Men, women, boys, girls, adults, children, adolescents, young people Literature review Generic “he” Rephrasing Plural nouns and pronouns He/she or (s)he Alternating he and she “He or she,” or “she or he” (use sparingly) Theoretical articles Methodological articles Case studies Other Template for a Research Study Manuscript Template for a Literature Review Manuscript Introduction Definition and clarification of the problem Literature review Summary of previous investigation/state of research Methods (participants, instruments, procedure, data analysis) Identification of relations, contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies Results Suggested next steps in solving the problem Discussion Implications/significance Organizing a Clinical Article Putting it All Together Classification/definition, history Epidemiology (incidence; prevalence; ethnic, age, & gender distribution; etc.) Signs, symptoms, characteristics Causes, risk factors, genetics Abstract Body of manuscript References Pathophysiology/mechanism Diagnosis Tables and figures Prevention/screening Treatment/management Prognosis Society and culture (stigma, economics, religion, legal issues, etc.) Research direction Review Ratings General Comments Marked up pages Helpful Websites References American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Bem, D. (2002). Writing the empirical journal article. Retrieved February 21, 2006, from http://dbem.ws/WritingArticle.pdf Carver, R. (1984). Writing a publishable research report in education, psychology, and related disciplines. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. Chalfee, R., & Valencia, R. (2001). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Accessed July 14, 2005, from http://www.apa.org/journals/authors/guide.html Goulette, C. (n.d.). Writing for publication. In Writing tips for nurses: A collection of resources to help you get published. Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://nursing.advanceweb.com/Web-Extras/Online-Extras/Writing-101-for-Nurses.aspx Hiemstra, R. (2005). Writing articles for professional journals: An APA primer. Retrieved February 21, 2006 from http://www-distance.syr.edu/apa5th.html Jannetti Publications. (2009). Guidelines for authors. Retrieved from http://www.ajj.com/services/publishing/09jpi_guidelines.pdf Miller, B., & Keane, C. (2005). Miller-Keane encyclopedia and dictionary of medicine, nursing, and allied health. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company. Schilling, L. (2005). Publish or perish: Writing under pressure. Pediatric Nursing, 31(3), 234, 236. Selby, P. (2008). Professional writing: Strategies for nursing students. (Powerpoint). Retrieved May 21, 2011, from http://www.nursing.ufl.edu/research/documents/ ProfessionalWritingStrategiesforCONStudents.ppt Stoner, M. (2001). Comparison of APA writing software. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 5(1). Retrieved February 22, 2006, from http://www.respirosweb.com.ar/jump.php?url=http://www.eaaknowledge.com/ojni/ni/dm/51/apa_writing_software.htm Strunk, W., & White, E. (2000). The elements of style (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. “Symptoms and cures for writer’s block.” (2010, April 17). Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved May 21, 2011, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/567/01/