😱 In 1 sentence, hook your reader describing a problem in your field that your research is contributing to solving. Every reader of the journal should understand this sentence.
#2 Provide context needed to understand your study
🌳 In 1-3 sentences, give the reader any background they need to understand the motivation of your study. Clearly state the specific problem that your study solves.
#3 State the central message of your study
🎯 In 1 sentence, describe the key take-away of your study, e.g. starting with "Here, we show/demonstrate...". Focus on your key result instead of your aim, objective or approach.
#4 Summarise your results
🧪 In 1-3 sentences, describe the key findings of your study. Focus on the most important ones, not every result needs to be mentioned here. No need to mention the methods you used unless they're impressive/rare/novel or part of your central message.
#5 State the broad perspective
🛤️ In 1 sentence, put your results in a broader perspective referring back to the problem in your research field that you defined in #1. Explain why your findings are significant and what their possible implications are.
TL;DR Abstract template:
#1 Describe the broad problem your paper solves
#2 Provide context needed to understand your study
#3 State the central message of your study
#4 Summarise your results
#5 State the broad perspective
Fingers crossed for your submission!🤞
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💬 Split up figures if you are finding yourself communicating two or more key take-aways per figure (panel).
Step 2: Pick the most suitable plot type
📊 Whether you choose a bar chart, scatter plot, line, heat map or histogram depends on what conveys your message in the simplest and most accurate way.
Mistake 1⃣: Providing paragraphs of background information
💡 Use the Introduction section for context. In the Discussion section, any mentioned background info needs to be discussed together with your own findings.
Mistake 2⃣: Expecting the reader to have read all previous section
💡 Tell the whole story by restating the problem you are solving with your study so that readers understand the motivation for your research.
#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. 💫
#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. 🧐