WRITING CHEMICAL
RESEARCH PAPERS
OUTLINE AND FIRST DRAFT
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OUTLINE
An outline should
• contain central theme
• have topics and arguments in order
• be a blueprint for draft manuscript
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Outline Guide
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Central message
Grouped ideas
Experimental summary
Problems solved by this work
Main findings summary
Conclusions
Key references
Introduction outline
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Develop a Central Message
Central message: summary of
manuscript content in a single
sentence of 20-30 words
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Grouped Ideas
Key points listed in some logical order
• Chronological order
• Order of importance
• Cluster map
• Issue tree
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Example of an Issue Tree
Supression of Multidrug
Resistance by Migrastatin
Cancer drug
resistance
Overexpression of
P-glycoprotein
(MDR-1 gene)
Library search
for compound that
modulates P-glyco
-protein function
Migrastatin (MGS)
Inhibits cancer
cell migration
Enhances cytotoxicity
of cancer drugs in
P-glycoprotein
overexpressing cells
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Experimental Summary
• Materials – make list of all materials
and equipment used. Details can go
in later
• Methods – give an outline of all
relevant methods. Fill in later
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Problems Solved by your Work
• What was known before you started
your study?
• What were the problems from earlier
work that needed answers?
• Does your work answer these
problems? How?
SUMMARIZE THESE POINTS
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Main Findings of your Work
• Central message should contain
main findings
• List all other results and findings to
be included
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Conclusions and Implications
• What are your major conclusions?
• What do these imply for future work?
Change in method?
• What is new in your work?
• Why is it important?
• Are there any limitations?
SUMMARIZE THESE POINTS
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Identify Key References
• Write down references for all your
major points running through the
central message
• Other (more peripheral) references
can be added at draft stage
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Introduction Outline
This should contain
• The main message
• Questions from previous work that
needed addressing
• Aims and Objectives of your work
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FIRST DRAFT
Writing the first draft should involve
the following points:
1. Collect all information 2. Decide on
a journal
3. Start writing 4. Write quickly 5.
Keep writing 6. Write naturally 7.
Stick to outline 8. Write in parts
9. Rest 10. Revision 11. Check
consistency
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Points 1 and 2 (Starting)
1. Collect all information:
data, references, draft
figures and tables
2. Decide on journal
Get “instructions for authors”
Be familiar with journal style
SEE “GENERAL INTRODUCTION”
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Points 3-8 (Writing)
3. Start writing – get something down
4. Write quickly – keep momentum
5. Keep writing – edit later
6. Write in your own voice
7. Write in parts
8. Stick to your outline plan
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Points 9-11 (Editing)
• Rest for a few days
• Make revisions
• Check for consistency and
quality of writing
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Avoid Jargon
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Good English?
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