Manuscript preparation

Manuscripts are critical to the dissemination of scientific discoveries. Publications are often considered part of the “currency” in academic surgery and are important to establishing a career as a researcher. However, little training is often devoted to learning the process of drafting and submitting a full manuscript. A well-written manuscript engages the reader in a consistent and compelling narrative, beginning with a clinical question of interest and its underlying motivations, describing the methods employed to address this question, presenting data in an accessible manner, and providing the appropriate context to understand the relevance of the findings. Conversely, poorly written manuscripts may confuse or distract the reader from the data presented and the intended message. Manuscript writing is a skill—it can be developed and practiced, and strategies can be followed to improve the efficiency of writing and the quality of the resulting manuscript. This chapter provides an overview and recommendations for the components of the manuscript construction process including preparation, writing, and submission.