{"id":56932,"date":"2025-11-24T17:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T11:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=56932"},"modified":"2026-03-31T14:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:59:01","slug":"journal-submission-formatting-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Style and Formatting in Academic Editing: Why it can\u2019t be overlooked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Many journals desk\u2011reject a substantial share of submissions during initial editorial screening studies and publisher reports commonly show desk\u2011rejection rates in the tens of percent, depending on discipline and journal. Editors place rapid emphasis on fit, clarity and technical compliance; when manuscripts fail to follow author instructions or present inconsistent formatting, editors often stop the review process. This means that even strong science can be sidelined before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/publication-support-services\/peer-review-process\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"115\" title=\"Peer Review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">peer review<\/a> unless style and formatting are treated as core parts of manuscript preparation. This article explains what style and formatting mean in an academic context, when and why they matter, common mistakes that trigger early rejection, how correct style supports communication and reproducibility, and practical steps (including when to consider professional help) to ensure your manuscript clears the first editorial gate.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#What_style_and_formatting_mean\" >What style and formatting mean<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#Why_style_and_formatting_matter\" >Why style and formatting matter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#Common_formatting_mistakes_and_how_they_cause_problems\" >Common formatting mistakes and how they cause problems<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#Practical_checklist_what_to_fix_before_you_submit\" >Practical checklist: what to fix before you submit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#A_brief_case_study\" >A brief case study<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#Common_misconceptions_and_how_style_differs_by_discipline\" >Common misconceptions and how style differs by discipline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/journal-submission-formatting-checklist\/#Final_note\" >Final note<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_style_and_formatting_mean\"><\/span><strong>What style and formatting mean<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Style: the set of writing conventions used to present content\u2014tone, voice, citation system, nomenclature, and discipline\u2011specific phrasing. In academic contexts, \u201cacademic writing style\u201d implies formality, hedging\/precision and engagement with the scholarly conversation.<\/li>\n<li>Formatting: the visual and structural rules for the manuscript\u2014page layout, fonts, headings, line spacing, title page elements, figure\/table placement, reference formatting, and compliance with journal templates or house style. A style guide documents these standards and may be general (Chicago, APA) or journal\u2011specific (house style).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_style_and_formatting_matter\"><\/span><strong>Why style and formatting matter <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>First impressions determine progression. Editors use an initial screen to decide whether a manuscript proceeds to peer review; poor formatting or missing required elements can contribute to a desk rejection. Journal audits and editor <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9460015\/\">surveys<\/a> report that a meaningful share of submissions are rejected before review due to technical noncompliance.<\/li>\n<li>Readability and reviewer focus. Clean, consistent formatting directs reviewers\u2019 attention to methods and results rather than to layout errors or ambiguous citations, improving the quality and speed of review.<\/li>\n<li>Reproducibility and compliance. Using reporting guidelines and correct styles (e.g., PRISMA for systematic reviews) improves transparency and often measurably increases reporting completeness. Editors increasingly <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33577987\">require<\/a> checklists and structured reporting as part of submission.<\/li>\n<li>Administrative efficiency. Correct formatting reduces administrative back-and\u2011forth (requests to reformat), shaving weeks off processing time and decreasing the risk of avoidable rejections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_formatting_mistakes_and_how_they_cause_problems\"><\/span><strong>Common formatting mistakes and how they cause problems<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Missing required sections or elements (e.g., trial registration, ethics statements, cover letter): editors may treat a manuscript as incomplete and return it.<\/li>\n<li>Inconsistent or incorrect references: poor citation format can make it harder to check prior work and signal lack of attention to detail.<\/li>\n<li>Incorrect file types or figure resolution: many journals have strict requirements; non\u2011compliant files may delay or prevent review.<\/li>\n<li>Ignoring word or figure limits: exceeding stated limits frequently leads to requests for reformatting or early rejection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How style (voice and terminology) supports scientific communication<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shared conventions enable rapid comprehension. When you use standardized terms and consistent units, readers assess your claims more efficiently. Define domain\u2011specific terms (e.g., \u201coperational definition,\u201d \u201csystematic review\u201d) when first used to ensure accessibility across interdisciplinary audiences.<\/li>\n<li>Reporting checklists (PRISMA, CONSORT, STROBE) act as style\u2011adjacent tools: they are not only formatting aids but also content checklists that increase clarity and reproducibility. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33577987\/\">Studies<\/a> show reporting completeness improves when authors follow these checklists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_checklist_what_to_fix_before_you_submit\"><\/span><strong>Practical checklist: what to fix before you submit<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before hitting submit, implement this prioritized checklist:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Read the journal\u2019s \u201cInstructions for authors\u201d and apply its template exactly.<\/li>\n<li>Check mandatory elements: cover letter, title page, abstract structure, trial\/ethics statements, funding disclosures.<\/li>\n<li>Verify reference style and link DOI numbers or PubMed IDs where appropriate to allow ease of verification and editorial checks.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure figures\/tables meet resolution and format specs and are referred to in the correct order.<\/li>\n<li>Run a final language pass and use \u201cStyles\u201d in Word or LaTeX templates to ensure consistency across headings and numbering. (Tips: set heading styles centrally rather than manual formatting.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_brief_case_study\"><\/span><strong>A brief case study<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A clinical\u2011trial manuscript missing the CONSORT flow diagram or trial registration number may be returned at screening even if the data are strong. Journals increasingly <a href=\"https:\/\/systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com\/submission-guidelines\/preparing-your-manuscript\/protocol\">enforce such requirements<\/a> to support transparency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_misconceptions_and_how_style_differs_by_discipline\"><\/span><strong>Common misconceptions and how style differs by discipline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>STEM manuscripts often prioritize concise methods and structured abstracts; humanities may allow longer, discursive prose\u2014always follow the target journal\u2019s disciplinary conventions.<\/li>\n<li>Mistake to avoid: assuming \u201cformatting is cosmetic.\u201d In practice formatting communicates seriousness, facilitates reproducibility and often determines whether your paper reaches peer review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Actionable next steps Implement the short checklist above for your current manuscript.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use reporting checklists relevant to your design (e.g., PRISMA, CONSORT) and attach the populated checklist at submission.<\/li>\n<li>If uncertain about language or strict template compliance, evaluate professional editing + formatting support to avoid avoidable delays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_note\"><\/span>Final note<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Treat style and formatting as integral to your research workflow rather than as a last\u2011minute chore. Start applying journal templates and reporting checklists early in manuscript drafting, and if you face constraints in time, language, or complex templates, consider professional editing + formatting support to reduce avoidable desk rejections and speed the path to meaningful peer review.<\/p>\n<p>Consider professional formatting or editing when: English fluency is not native and language issues obscure meaning; the journal\u2019s template is complex; you must produce high\u2011quality figures or reformat for multiple target journals.<\/p>\n<p>Enago\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/editing-services\">manuscript editing services<\/a> combine language editing, formatting to journal templates, citation formatting, and checks for compliance with reporting guidelines, helping authors reduce editorial delays and focus on their science.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex; gap:10px;justify-content:\" class=\"wps-pgfw-pdf-generate-icon__wrapper-frontend\">\n\t\t<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56932?action=genpdf&amp;id=56932\" class=\"pgfw-single-pdf-download-button\" ><img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-generator-for-wp\/admin\/src\/images\/PDF_Tray.svg\" title=\"Generate PDF\" style=\"width:auto; height:45px;\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many journals desk\u2011reject a substantial share of submissions during initial editorial screening studies and publisher&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":56933,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1988,2],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[1895],"class_list":["post-56932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-academic-writing"],"better_featured_image":{"id":56933,"alt_text":"Unintentional Plagiarism: How Editors Can Detect and Prevent It","caption":"","description":"Learn how unintentional plagiarism happens in academic writing and why automated tools aren't enough. Discover editorial workflows combining similarity detection with human judgment to protect research integrity.","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":910,"height":340,"file":"2025\/11\/Sami-EA-Blogs-Banner-910-x-340-px-4-1.jpg","filesize":173922,"sizes":{},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1","keywords":[]}},"post":56932,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-EA-Blogs-Banner-910-x-340-px-4-1.jpg"},"acf":{"faq_main_heading":"Frequently Asked Questions","faq_heading_one":"What is unintentional plagiarism and how does it differ from deliberate plagiarism?","faq_heading_two":"Why do researchers and students commit unintentional plagiarism even when they understand citation rules?","faq_heading_three":"How can journal editors effectively detect and prevent unintentional plagiarism in submissions?","faq_heading_four":"What are the limitations of automated plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin and iThenticate?","faq_heading_five":"How should authors prepare manuscripts to avoid unintentional plagiarism before submission?","faq_heading_six":"What is the role of professional editing services in preventing unintentional plagiarism?","faq_description_one":"Unintentional plagiarism occurs when authors reuse text, ideas, or structural elements from other sources without adequate citation or sufficient paraphrasing, but without deliberate intent to deceive. Common forms include patchwriting with poor paraphrasing that preserves original structure, missing or incorrect citations, reusing standard methodological phrasing without contextualization, and self-plagiarism where authors recycle their own earlier work without attribution. Unlike deliberate plagiarism, these errors stem from misunderstanding, time pressure, or inadequate training rather than intentional misconduct.","faq_description_two":"Research shows that awareness doesn't always translate to correct practice. Studies of research students found that while most reported knowledge of plagiarism concepts, many hadn't read institutional regulations fully and still committed unintentional overlap across disciplines. Primary causes include time pressure from publish-or-perish incentives that compress writing schedules, language barriers where non-native English speakers struggle with technical paraphrasing, poor training on citation norms, misunderstanding what constitutes common knowledge, and over-reliance on automated tools without human contextual review.","faq_description_three":"Editors should implement a two-step workflow combining automated screening with human contextual judgment. First, run every submission through vetted similarity-checking services like CrossCheck or iThenticate during initial triage before peer review. Then, manually review flagged matches to distinguish acceptable reuse in Methods sections or boilerplate text from problematic overlap in novel analysis. Follow COPE flowcharts for consistent handling, communicate clearly with authors about minor overlaps requesting revisions, and escalate to institutional contacts only when overlap suggests serious misconduct or authors don't respond.","faq_description_four":"Automated plagiarism detection tools report textual similarity percentages but cannot determine intent or evaluate context. They flag all matches equally, including acceptable reuse of standard methodological phrasing, proper citations, common disciplinary terminology, and references sections. Tools provide fast, consistent database comparisons but lack the judgment to distinguish discipline-specific norms where method reuse is standard practice. Human editorial review remains essential to interpret similarity reports, evaluate paraphrase quality, assess whether appropriate attribution exists, and make nuanced decisions about significance and intent.","faq_description_five":"Authors should run pre-submission similarity checks and manually review each flagged match, removing or properly citing any unacknowledged reuse. Maintain meticulous reference manager records during drafting to prevent citation drift. When paraphrasing, change both wording and sentence structure while citing the original source; reserve direct quotes for cases where specific wording is critical. Declare any intentionally reused text, such as previously published methods, in cover letters with proper citations. Keep detailed notes linking claims to sources throughout the writing process to ensure no attribution gaps.","faq_description_six":"Pre-submission editorial services reduce accidental plagiarism by correcting poor paraphrasing and improving attribution language, standardizing reference formatting and ensuring citations appear where required, and preparing authors to interpret similarity reports before journal submission. Professional manuscript editors combine language refinement with citation practice guidance, helping authors distinguish between acceptable discipline-specific phrasing and problematic textual overlap. Services like Enago's manuscript editing refine paraphrase quality while improving readability, reducing the likelihood that mechanical similarity checks will flag text requiring only clearer attribution rather than complete rewriting."},"views":328,"single_webinar_page_date":null,"single_webinar_page_time":null,"session_agenda":null,"who_should_attend_this_session":null,"about_the_speaker_field":null,"co-webinar-sec":null,"co_webinar_sec_one":null,"speaker-name":null,"webinar-date":null,"webinar-time":null,"webinar-s-image":null,"custum_webinar_category":null,"authors":[{"term_id":1895,"user_id":4,"is_guest":0,"slug":"editor","display_name":"Enago Academy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ef4bc47f3ceaa56f5eb3b26f9520fad298ba36ede4f86315997ffb45db37a1f?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","author_category":"","user_url":"","last_name":"Academy","first_name":"Editor","job_title":"","description":"Enago Academy, the knowledge arm of Enago, offers comprehensive and up-to-date resources on academic research and scholarly publishing to all levels of scholarly professionals: students, researchers, editors, publishers, and academic societies. It is also a popular platform for networking, allowing researchers to learn, share, and discuss their experiences within their network and community. The team, which comprises subject matter experts, academicians, trainers, and technical project managers, are passionate about helping researchers at all levels establish a successful career, both within and outside academia."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56932"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56957,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56932\/revisions\/56957"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56932"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=56932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}