Minor Tweaks to Editorial Policy
01.23.2012 at 12:59am
In an attempt to better set our authors up for success and to maximize the benefit our busy readers receive from our articles, we have made some minor tweaks to the editorial policy for journal articles. These guidelines (not necessarily rules) are not intended to hamstring our authors, but rather to help them hone their arguments and hold their readers' attention from start to finish. The full editorial policy, largely unchanged, can be found at this page. The new guidelines are found below.
"In order to better serve our readers (and help you get your message to them), we are instituting the following guidelines on article length. While we do not have the page space problem of a print format, your readers do have a time problem when it comes to digesting all of the information available to them, not to mention the tyranny of their daily jobs. If you want to be read, you have to be concise, unless your name is Kissinger. We accept works in three general length categories. These categories do not preclude us from publishing works that merit special consideration, but do not expect us to publish a 50 page opinion piece, again unless your name is Kissinger. Please note that anything longer than a 750-1000 word op-ed requires a 200-word abstract. For the longer formats, all quotations and references should be fully cited. You may use whatever format your field accepts, but please ensure that the citations are complete (i.e., full names, titles, publishers, dates, journal volumes and numbers, web address if online resource, and page numbers), allowing readers to find the works you reference.
- Op-ed pieces are 750-1000 words in length and advance an opinion or thesis on a current topic in a very tightly argued format. While your opinion should be based on facts and figures, the length here does not permit elaboration of detailed support. These pieces should not solely be a rant, but should offer some form of policy prescription. That is, if you are going to criticize, offer a solution or a way toward one.
- Essays are approximately 2,500 words in length and provide more room for elaboration of concepts and provision of support. These pieces should form the bulk of what SWJ publishes. A 200-word abstract that states your thesis or argument must accompany your submission, this both assists in the editorial process and allows you to essentially advocate your argument in the hope that busy readers will invest their time in reading more.
- Papers are in the range of 6,000 words in length. Papers of this length will not be read by many readers unless the argument is compelling and the support and data given in the paper is unique. Original primary source research, first-hand accounts of value to our readership, or truly unique and valuable arguments that require this amount of space for elaboration will be considered for publication. If you do not think your paper meets these criteria, we highly suggest you get out the red pen and cut your paper back to a length that will warrant the time of a very busy reader. A 200-word abstract that states your thesis or argument must accompany your submission, this both assists in the editorial process and allows you to essentially advocate your argument in the hope that busy readers will invest their time in reading more."
