Preparing an article for submission to a medical journal doesn’t have to be daunting.
With a clear structure and a few key writing strategies, you can make your manuscript easier to write and more likely to get published.
Here are 10 simple tips to help you craft a compelling, professional article.
1. Start with the Methods Section
The Methods section is usually the easiest to write and a great place to begin. It answers the question: What exactly did you do?
Include:
- Study design (prospective/retrospective)
- Ethics approval (e.g., IRB or REB reference)
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Procedures (e.g., surgeries or interventions)
- How data endpoints were collected (e.g., VA charts used, lighting conditions, Snellen vs logMAR)
- Statistical methods
This section grounds your study and naturally leads into your Results.
2. Avoid Jargon
Don’t let technical terms confuse your reader. Write in plain English whenever possible. For example:
- Say “vision” instead of “visual function”
- Use “eyelid margin inflammation” instead of “posterior blepharitis”
Your goal is clarity, not complexity.
3. Use Active Voice
Active voice makes your writing stronger and more direct.
❌ Passive: “The data were analyzed using SPSS.”
✅ Active: “We analyzed the data using SPSS.”
Editors often prefer active voice because it clearly shows who did what.
4. Don’t Bury the Lead
Readers should understand your main findings within the first few sentences of the Results and Discussion.
✅ Good example:
“Patients treated with Drug A showed a 25% improvement in symptom scores compared to placebo.”
Avoid making readers dig through paragraphs to find your key takeaways.
5. Be Specific About Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
General phrases like “clinically significant dry eye” are vague. Instead:
- Define how “clinically significant” was measured (e.g., OSDI score > 13)
- Specify duration, severity, or diagnostic criteria used
This builds credibility and reproducibility.
6. Be Honest About Limitations
Every study has limitations. Journals expect you to acknowledge them.
❌ Vague: “Our study had limitations.”
✅ Better: “This was a single-center study with a short follow-up period, which may limit generalizability.”
Honesty builds trust.
7. Explain the Clinical Significance
Statistical significance isn’t enough.
✅ Example:
“Although the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03), a 2-second increase in TBUT may not be clinically meaningful for patients.”
This shows you understand the real-world impact.
8. Use Pronouns (Strategically)
Contrary to popular belief, using “we” or “I” in academic writing is acceptable—and often encouraged.
✅ Example: “We conducted this study to evaluate…”
Using pronouns clearly attributes actions and improves readability.
9. Cut Out Hedges
Hedges are unnecessary qualifiers that weaken your writing.
❌ “It seems that the drug may possibly improve symptoms.”
✅ “The drug improved symptoms.”
Be confident and direct. Use uncertainty only when truly justified.
10. End with a Strong, Actionable Conclusion
Don’t just repeat your findings—emphasize the implications.
✅ Example:
“These findings suggest Drug A could be a first-line treatment for patients with moderate dry eye, especially those with lifestyle-related symptoms.”
Leave your reader with a clear takeaway.
Final Tip: Keep It Simple and Clear
Medical journal editors and reviewers value clarity, structure, and precision. Follow these tips, and your next article will be easier to write—and more likely to get accepted.
✅ Want help preparing your manuscript?
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