In the previous chapters, we have described what belongs in a literature review or an experimental paper. You have learned how to do literature research, what the goals of the two different kinds of papers are, and how to report your findings. To write an appealing paper that maximizes your chances of getting your research published, it is important not only that your studies have substance but also that you well explain about that substance. This chapter provides you with some guidelines on how to write a paper that conveys your findings in an attractive, easily readable, and convincing way. We have divided the guidelines into three parts: Part 1 explains how to present your content in a way that is compelling and convincing. Part 2 deals with style issues, and Part 3 deals with language and grammar issues.

CONTENT GUIDELINES

State clearly the problem you are addressing and then organize the article around the problem.

Sometimes it is hard to figure out exactly what problem authors of an article thought they were trying to solve. This phenomenon can occur because an author does not know what problem the article is supposed to solve or because the nature of the problem was not clearly communicated. It is the author's responsibility to make clear early in the article what problem or problems the article tackles.