Abstract

Addressing both students and technical writers, Dr. Estrin discourses on the subject of why write for professional journals. The four benefits are an effect on professional advancement, an enhancement of prestige, financial payment, and “psychological” compensation. Some manuscripts are rejected because editors have similar articles, because the subject matter has been recently printed, and because the article may not hold the reader's interest. Five guidelines for selecting a subject are its timeliness, the availability of equipment, the contribution to the profession, one's interest in the subject, and the subject's objectivity. In selecting a journal, one must consider its editorial policy, its use of graphic aids, style sheet, and review policy, and the average length.