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If you liked this thread, please: 👩‍💻Watch my free video training on how to write scientific papers faster and actually get them published in your target journals 👇 annaclemens.com/training

Learn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

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TL;DR - 7 strategies to ✂️ cut your word count (& improve your writing!) 1: Have a clearly defined central message 2: Implement a consistent structure 3: Cut repetitive sentences 4: Eliminate filler words 5: Swap nouns for verbs 6: Kill conjunctions 7: Use parentheses

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7: Use parentheses wisely ➡️ When listing numerous parameters of numerous samples, condense the information into one sentence using parentheses. For example, write "the weight of sample X(Y) was 5.8g (4.2g) at 150°C and 5.0g (3.6g) at 250°C".

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6: Kill conjunctions ➡️ Not every sentence needs to start with a "furthermore", "also", "while" etc. Make sure your writing flows and fewer conjunctions will be needed. 💁‍♀️

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5: Swap nouns for verbs ➡️ Check your draft for nouns that could be replaced by a verb. For example, instead of "we present an analysis of...", write "we analysed..." and save 3 words just like that. This will make your text easier to read too! 💃

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4: Eliminate filler words ➡️ Remove any words that don't carry additional meaning, e.g. using "could" and "likely" in the same sentence.✨

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3: Cut repetitive sentences ➡️ Go through each sentence and remove any redundant ones repeating information already shared. The goal is for each sentence to present new information in the most precise way. ✍️

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2: Implement a consistent structure in your manuscript ➡️ Make sure you aren't repeating information at various places in your manuscript, such as sharing background information on your research topic in both your Introduction AND Discussion. 🧐

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1: Have a clearly defined central message that runs through the WHOLE manuscript ➡️ Check each figure panel, each subsection, each paragraph and each sentence to make sure they're aligned with your central message. 💫

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Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

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If you would like to learn a reliable process to write clear and concise papers for high-ranking journals time-efficiently, check out our free training where I break down the process step by step. 👇👇 annaclemens.com/training

Learn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

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TL;DR: 7 tips to get published in a top-tier journal 1: Solve a big problem 2: Present a robust study 3: Tell a story 4: Simple & clear figures 5: Good writing 6: Follow journal guidelines 7: Convincing cover letter Fingers crossed! 🤞

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7: Convince in your cover letter 💌 Never just copy and paste text from your manuscript into the cover letter. Use this space to sell your paper to the journal editor -- this is your chance to speak to them directly!

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6: Follow the journal guidelines 📏 Journals with high JIF often have many requirements when it comes to word count, reference format, lengths of title, subheadings etc. Follow all of them! (I know it's tedious.)

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5: Write a clear and concise manuscript ✍️ Invest in your writing skills. Don't stress about perfect grammar or having to sound like an expert. Here’s what good writing really is: As short as needed to convey your ideas in the clearest way possible.

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4: Create simple, clear and compelling figures 📊 Journal editors often skip right to the figures to understand your results, so help them understand your findings and argument without having to read your Results section.

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3: Tell a story 🎥 Just reporting interesting data isn't enough. Use story-telling to provide context and help the reader understand the significance of your findings. Pro-tip: Have just ONE story line in your paper!

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2: Present a robust study 💪 High-impact journals look for comprehensive data sets. Corroborate your findings using different methods, various conditions, several model systems,... - whatever is applicable.

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1: Solve (even partially) a big & relevant problem 🦣 Top-tier journals are less interested in incremental advances. Tackle the larger questions in your scientific field -- even better if they are directly relevant to society in some way.

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Anna Clemens, PhD @annaclemens.com · 16/06/2026

Getting your articles desk-rejected in top-tier journals even though you're doing good science? Here are 7 recommendations from an academic writing coach that'll increase your chances to get published in high-ranking journals. A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

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This is for PIs who are tired of admin work taking over their day in expense of publishing, securing grants and leading their incredible team. 15+ expert sessions. Get ready for some practical strategies and mindset shifts! ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/summit-the-t... #AcademicSky

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Thriving PI Summit 2026: Systems, Writing & Funding for Principal Investigators

Join the online Thriving PI Summit to learn systems, writing, funding, and resilience strategies for Principal Investigators.

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If you liked this thread, you’ll love this free training where I go over the whole process in more detail: annaclemens.com/training 👇👇👇

Learn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

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"Anna’s formula turns a complicated and oftentimes daunting task into an easy to follow method. I now have a clearly written manuscript that delivers my results, and demonstrates their impact from the first sentence to the last." 💬 Amy Sardone, PhD, Ohio State University, US

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TL;DR: 5-step process to write your papers time-efficiently 1: Streamline your process 2: Develop the story 3: Outline each section 4: Write text & create figures 5: Package for publication I call this process the Journal Publication Formula ✨

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🎁 Step 5: Package for publication Write a title, abstract and cover letter. Proof-read your manuscript and make sure you adhere to all formatting guidelines.

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✍️ Step 4: Write your paper and create your figures Write a quick first draft based on your outline, then go back and edit your text making sure it is clear and concise. Create figures that visually present your data in the simplest and clearest way.

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📜 Step 3: Outline each section of your paper Use your storyboard to plan out each section down to paragraph level using bullet points. Define subsection headings.

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🎥 Step 2: Develop the story of your paper Define the reader of your story, construct your argument and storyboard your paper. Make sure all co-authors agree on the story before you proceed.

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🗓️ Step 1: Streamline your writing process Create a project plan for your paper (I love Trello for this), schedule writing sessions in your calendar, set up an accountability system, and define check points for co-author input.

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Editing nightmares with your co-authors? Procrastinating while having a huge backlog of papers? Getting stuck in each paragraph? As an academic writing coach, I recommend following this process for writing scientific papers. A thread. 🧵 #AcWri #ScienceSky #PhDSky

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If you want to attend regular writing retreats, join the Researchers' Writing Academy, our online course that helps researchers get published consistently. We'd love to have you! 🧡 annaclemens.com/training

Learn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

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TL;DR: Why you should attend a writing retreat: 1 You'll publish more. 2 You'll have dedicated time & space for writing. 3 You'll identify as a writer. 4 You'll meet writing buddies. 5 You'll start enjoying writing. ✨

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5. You'll start enjoying writing. 😍 Studies have reported that academics who attend writing retreats feel more motivated and confident about writing and less fearful of it.

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4. You'll write in community. 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 Writing doesn't have to feel lonely. Writing with others in the same (virtual) room creates a sense of connection. Having a writing buddy is also great to get feedback on your writing!

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3. You'll strengthen your identity as a writer. 🤓 Don't think you're a professional writer? Attending a retreat will help you feel like a writer! And that's important because it'll help you start prioritising writing in your work days.

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2. You'll be able to focus on your writing in a creative and safe atmosphere. 🌳 Retreats are set up to get you that uninterrupted time and space to write -- even better when you're off campus and somewhere near nature.

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1. You'll publish more. 🙌 The literature agrees on this: Academics who regularly attend writing retreats publish more.

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Anna Clemens, PhD @annaclemens.com · 02/06/2026

Finding it difficult to make time for writing? Do other tasks and projects constantly take priority even though writing is the most meaningful thing you can do? 💡You may need to attend a writing retreat! Here’s why. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicWriting #AcWri #ScienceSky

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I woke up to these very sad news. May you rest in peace, Raúl. You have done so much for the academic (writing) community and you and your contributions will be truly truly missed. 💔

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If you liked this thread and would like to learn a structured approach to develop your paper so that it tells a story from the first sentence to the last, please watch my free training: 👩‍💻👇 annaclemens.com/training

Learn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

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TL;DR: 5 writing tips for an excellent Materials & Methods section ✨ 1⃣ Provide the right amount of detail 2⃣ Use a storytelling structure 3⃣ Structure it like your Results section 4⃣ Refer to your Supporting Information in an organised way 5⃣ Don't self-plagiarise

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5 Don't self-plagiarise ✅ Rewrite already published descriptions of your experiments ✅ Refer to previous publications for detailed descriptions of your method

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4 Refer to your Supporting Information in an organised way ✅ Clearly indicate where exactly the info can be found in the SI ✅ Use subsections and clear titles in the SI that make it easy to find the referred information

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3 Structure your M&M section in the same way your Results section is structured ✅ Order your experiments as you you present them in the Result section ✅ Use equivalent subsection headings as in the Results section

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2: Use a storytelling structure ✅ Tell your readers the purpose of each of your experiments

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1: Provide the right amount of detail ✅ Read other papers in your target journal to get a feel for the level of detail that is common to provide ✅ Expand on all details that allow others to reproduce your experiments in the Supporting Information

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Anna Clemens, PhD @annaclemens.com · 23/05/2026

5 writing tips for an ⭐️excellent⭐️ Materials & Methods section A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

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If you found this thread helpful and would like to learn a streamlined process to write papers that get published, this free training will be ideal! 👇✨ annaclemens.com/training