This week, we are discussing the final yet most critical step before submitting your manuscript: the Cover Letter.
My aim here is not to dictate a “one-size-fits-all” method but rather to share practical insights based on my personal experiences and extensive readings. This checklist is designed to help members of our research group confidently finalize and submit their manuscripts.
Writing a manuscript involves a lengthy and challenging process—from project outline to literature review, reference selection to figure preparation. Unfortunately, one of the most frequently overlooked aspects is the cover letter. It is often rushed, treated as merely a formal necessity.
Yet, a cover letter demands strategic planning just like the manuscript itself. A well-crafted cover letter clearly conveys the significance and contribution of your study, decisively influencing the editor’s first impression.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Editor
Before submission, one of the first crucial steps is to select an editor whose field directly aligns with your topic. This ensures that your work reaches someone who can understand and fairly evaluate its value.
You can find editor names and fields on the journal’s official website under the “Editorial Board” or “Guide for Authors.”
✍️ Note: Don’t forget to include the name and contact information of the chosen editor in your cover letter.
Step 2: Use Clear, Concise, and Fluid Language
Before discussing formal elements, I want to emphasize some key points about tone and style. Your cover letter is not a compressed abstract — it’s a strategic showcase of your work’s value. Therefore, it must be short, to the point, and fluid.
Editors read dozens of letters daily; long sentences and heavy jargon are best avoided.
- Your letter should not exceed 1 page; ideally 3–5 paragraphs.
- Each paragraph should serve a single purpose (e.g., describing the contribution, identifying the audience, making a closing statement).
- Avoid unnecessary repetition, exaggerated praise, or overly technical/ornate language. Aim for a clear, persuasive, and natural tone.
Effective expression = Effective communication. The clarity of your language reflects your academic depth and communication skills. Strong content paired with a clean and compelling writing style leaves a lasting impression.
Step 3: Formal Elements in a Cover Letter
The cover letter is a strategic tool that plays a key role in manuscript acceptance. To highlight the importance of your work and grab the editor’s attention, include the following elements:
What Your Cover Letter Should Include:
- Title of the Manuscript: Clearly state the full title.
- Name of the Journal: Explicitly mention the journal name.
- Relevance and Timeliness of the Work: Editors prefer not only well-written manuscripts but also those that offer timely innovation in the field. You must explicitly answer:
- Why is this topic important right now?
- Which current research gap does it address?
- What scientific or societal need does it fulfill?
- “The increasing demand for eco-friendly and resorbable implant materials has brought biodegradable polymers into the spotlight over the past five years. Our study directly addresses this growing interest by…”
- “With recent regulatory changes and clinical demands prioritizing sustainable materials, this study presents timely insights into…”
- “The current literature reveals a critical gap in understanding the long-term mechanical performance of hybrid PLA-metal composites, which our work aims to fill.”
- Identifying the Target Audience:A good cover letter should also clearly define who the work is written for. Editors want to see the manuscript’s value to the journal’s audience.Example: “We are confident that our findings will be of high interest to biomedical engineers and researchers working on bioresorbable implants.”
- Highlighting Key Results:Focus on the main scientific contribution. After reading the first few sentences, the editor wants to know: What has this study achieved?Craft a sentence that is:
- Supported by numerical or concrete data (e.g., percentage increase, performance boost, time saved)
- Fills a clear gap in the literature
- Offers applicable insights
- “Our results indicate a 40% improvement in mechanical strength compared to previously reported biodegradable materials…”
- “The developed coating method reduced corrosion rate by 65% under simulated physiological conditions…”
- “This is the first report demonstrating fatigue resistance under combined bending-corrosion loads for 3D-printed PLA-metal composites.”
- Indicating Innovative Methodologies:If your study used novel, modified, or hybrid techniques, highlight this clearly.Examples:
- “We developed a custom-designed fatigue-corrosion test setup that simulates physiological flow conditions in real time…”
- “This study introduces a novel layer-by-layer gradient fabrication strategy not previously reported in PLA-metal composites.”
- “Our methodology integrates thermal cycling and mechanical loading to better mimic in vivo degradation behavior.”
- Future Impact of the Study:Editors are interested in how your findings can shape future work. You should articulate:
- Scientific, technological, or clinical impacts
- How your study can guide future literature
- Real-world application potential
- “This study lays the groundwork for long-term in vivo trials of resorbable metal-polymer composites in pediatric orthopedics.”
- “Our findings provide a platform for future research on multi-functional biodegradable materials…”
- “The methodology presented here could serve as a blueprint for next-gen accelerated degradation testing protocols.”
6. International / Multidisciplinary Collaborations:
Collaborative studies reflect technical depth and structural richness.
Why important?
- Offers holistic and innovative solutions
- Expands global relevance and impact
- Editors trust well-organized and diverse research teams
What to emphasize:
- Researcher roles (e.g., materials scientist, biomedical engineer, clinician)
- Institutions and countries involved
- Value added by collaboration (methods, applications, data)
Examples:
- “This study is the result of a collaborative effort between material scientists in Turkey, biomedical engineers in the UK, and clinicians from France…”
- “Our international collaboration not only enriched the experimental design but also validated findings across different labs.”
7. Citing a Special Issue (if applicable):
If submitting to a special issue, clearly state it in the cover letter.
Why important?
- Journals reserve special issues for selected, high-quality papers
- If not mentioned, your submission may be treated as general
- Proper targeting improves acceptance odds
Sample phrases:
- “We are submitting this manuscript for consideration in the upcoming special issue entitled ‘Advances in Biodegradable Metallic Materials for Medical Applications’.”
- “Given the thematic focus of your special issue on additive manufacturing in biomedical applications, we believe our study provides a relevant and timely contribution.”
✍️ Tip: Always spell the special issue’s title correctly in quotation marks.
8. Professional Closing and Gratitude:
Your letter should end with a strong and respectful closing.
Include:
- Thanks to the editor for their time
- Willingness to receive feedback
- A polite, optimistic note
Examples:
- “Thank you very much for considering our manuscript. We sincerely hope it will be suitable for publication in your esteemed journal.”
- “We appreciate your time and effort in evaluating our work and look forward to your valuable feedback.”
- “Thank you for your attention, and please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.”
9. Contact Details and Corresponding Author Info:
Conclude with a clear block of accurate contact information.
Include:
- Full name and academic title of corresponding author
- Institution and department
- Full postal address (including country)
- Active, preferably institutional, email
✍️ Tip: Adding your ORCID ID increases credibility.
Example:
Dr. Berzah Yavuzyegit
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Türkiye
Email: berzah.yavuzyegit@erdogan.edu.tr
ORCID: 0000-0000-XXXX-XXXX
Extra Note 1: Aligning with the Journal and Reviewing Similar Works
Before submission, check whether your study aligns with the journal’s scope and audience. Reviewing recent (last 2–3 years) articles with similar themes or methods will help you:
- Mention 2–3 of them in your cover letter
- Understand structural expectations (length, visuals, headings, etc.)
✅ Tip: Check “Most Cited” or “Recent Articles” sections on the journal’s site.
✍️ Note: Citing similar articles signals alignment with the journal’s direction.
Extra Note 2: Mentioning Additional Files
📎 If you’ve included a graphical abstract or supplementary materials, briefly mention them:
“We have also included a graphical abstract and supplementary material to support the key findings of our manuscript.”
Extra Note 3: Post-Publication Promotion
If you have a promotion plan (website, social media, conferences), state it:
“Upon acceptance, we plan to actively promote the article via institutional channels and scientific conferences to reach a broader audience.”
Cover Letter Checklist
🔹 1. Structural Coherence
- The letter is under 1 page
- Each paragraph has a distinct purpose
- Language is clear, simple, and fluent (no fluff)
🔹 2. Introduction and Emphasis
- Study’s relevance and timing are clearly stated
- Target audience is identified
- Key result(s) emphasized with data
- Novel method(s) highlighted
- Future impact discussed
🔹 3. Strategic, Journal-Focused Elements
- Study fits the journal’s aims
- Cites 2–3 similar published works
- Clearly references a special issue (if applicable)
🔹 4. Professionalism and Clarity
- Collaboration (international/multidisciplinary) noted
- Graphical abstract/supplementary files mentioned
- Post-publication promotion mentioned
- Contact info fully listed
- ORCID ID included (if applicable)
🔹 5. Closing
- Thank-you message is professional and sincere
- Ends with “Sincerely” / “Kind regards”
