2010 Manuscript Writing
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Vol.Vol. 18,19, No.No. 2,3, 2009,2010, ISSNISSN 1854-8466.1854-8466. Manuscript writing Vol. 19, No. 3, 2010 The Write Stuff EMWA Executive Committee Journal insights The Write Stuff is the offi cial publication of the European Medi- cal Writers Association. It is issued 4 times a year and aims to provide President: EMWA members with relevant, informative and interesting articles and Laurence Auffret news addressing issues relating to the broad arena of medical writing. We CINETIQUE Translations Manchester, UK are open to contributions from anyone whose ideas can complement these [email protected] aims, but opinions expressed in individual articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those held by EMWA as an association. Articles or ideas should be submitted to the Journal Editor (see below) or Vice President: another member of the Editorial Board. Rita Wellans Wellens Clinical Research Consulting Rillaar, Belgium Subscriptions [email protected] Subscriptions are included in EMWA membership fees. By writing to [email protected] non-members can subscribe at an annual rate of: • €35 within Europe Treasurer: • €50 outside Europe Gillian Pritchard Sylexis Limited Dundee, UK Instructions for contributors [email protected] • The Write Stuff typically publishes articles of 800–2500 words al- though longer pieces or those with tables or graphics will be considered. • All articles are subject to editing and revision by the Editorial Board. Honorary Secretary: Any changes will be discussed with the author before publication. Laura Hollyhead • Submissions should include the full address of the author, including the Laura Hollyhead PPD telephone and fax numbers and e-mail address. Suitable quotes for side Cambridge, UK boxes can be indicated or they can be selected by the Editorial Board. [email protected] • Material should be submitted by e-mail as an MS Word fi le using Times New Roman (or equivalent), 10 point size, and single spacing. • Published articles generally include a recent photograph of the author Public Relations Offi cer: (portrait picture, CV or passport style, min. 360 x 510 pixels). Andrea Palluch Inpharmedia London, UK Timelines [email protected] Month Deadline Deadline distributed for receipt of articles for receipt of adverts March 1st January 15th February Website Manager: June 1st April 15th May Shanida Nataraja September 1st July 15th August Axon Communications December 1st October 15th November London, UK [email protected] Education Offi cer: Stephen de Looze Accovion GmbH Advertising rates (in euro, €) Frankfurt, Germany Corporate Private / Freelance members only [email protected] • Full page €1000 • Full page €200 • Half page €500 • Half page €100 Conference Director Sunethra Wimalasundera Behind the press Eisai UK Hatfi eld, UK The Editorial Board [email protected] Board members Chris Priestley Richard Clark Ursula Schoenberg Journal Editor Margaret Gray Elise Langdon-Neuner Jai Tilak-Jain Baxter BioScience Andrea Rossi Vienna, Austria Iain Patten [email protected] Joselita T. Salita Columnists Alistair Reeves Alison McIntosh EMWA Head Offi ce Françoise Salager-Meyer Durford Mill, Petersfi eld, GU31 5AZ, United Kingdom Joeyn Flauaus Tel: +44 (0)173 071 5216, Fax: (+44) 870 442 9940 Dianthus team [email protected] Gabi Berghammer EMWA website: www.emwa.org Greg Morley The Write Stuff is printed on 100% recycled paper. 164 The Journal of the European Medical Writers Association The Write Stuff Vol. 19, No. 3, 2010 TOC Manuscript writing Vol 19, No. 3, 2010 Sophie Huggett Alistair Reeves What’s news at EMWA: Diversifying Tense matters: The preterite and the EMWA membership base 169 present perfect in scientifi c texts (3) 214 Jacqueline Wu Alistair Reeves From clinical study report to journal Some comments on the ‘Compilation article: Presenting the science of QRD decisions on stylistic matters and the message 172 in product information’ from the EMA 217 Amin Bredan Freelance Section 224 Writing the results and discussion of a research paper 175 Translation Section 234 Stefan Lang and Marc Esser Susanne Geercken Writing in science and marketing— Generating informed consent documents Are they really separate worlds? 178 for multinational clinical trials in Germany: Where medical writing Andrew Walker and translation meet 235 Tools, tips and techniques for improving manuscript writing in large multifunctional teams 180 Elise Langdon-Neuner About cover letters for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals 184 Dorothy Pennachio and Phil Leventhal How to stopworrying and learn to love the peer-review process 188 John Carpenter Peer-reviewed publications in a communication strategy 193 Adam Jacobs Adherence to the CONSORT guideline in papers written by professional medical writers 196 Iain Hrynaszkiewicz Biomedical publishing in Cover picture the Internet age 201 Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica. Copyright ÖNB/Wien + Image ID. Françoise Salager-Meyer www.onb.ac.at Coyness or necessary imprecision 206 Regular features Shalini Dwivedi From the Guest Editor’s desk 166 Message from the President 168 Medical writing in a CRO: In the bookstores… 219 The challenges and solutions 208 Webscout 221 Journal watch 222 Catherine E Rycroft Linguistics corner 226 Biomedical publishing shorts 227 Communicating the value of a drug: Words, Grammar & Co 229 Developing a global value dossier 211 For the regulatory writers 232 The Journal of the European Medical Writers Association 165 Vol. 19, No. 3, 2010 The Write Stuff From the Guest Editor’s desk The joys of… manuscript writing? by Phil Leventhal Writing a manuscript can be a daunting task. The pressure will be included in the manuscript as early as possible in is on: the standards for peer review are high and more or the writing process can save time and avoid a lot of trou- less subject to the whims of the referees and editors. And bles later on. The article also includes specifi c instructions an inability to get a manuscript published can be viewed on exactly what should be in each section of a manuscript by some writers (as well as their colleagues and clients) based on a CSR, essential information for any writer. as a personal failure. There are also the diffi culties in un- The nuts and bolts of putting together a manuscript are derstanding, selecting, and explaining huge amounts of one thing, but how does a medical writer learn to write sometimes disorganised data; writing clear and convincing well…and what does that mean? Some people seem to just prose; and working within a team that might include awk- have a natural knack for writing good prose, but can this ward and chaotic members. Added to that is pressure to be learned? Amin Bredan (page 175) explains that writing present the material with exquisite accuracy and to make well is simply writing a clear and convincing narrative that sure that what is presented meets the highest ethical stand- leads the reader logically through the fi ndings, rather than ards–tasks that should not be left only to a medical writer a chronological account or checklist, and he gives pointers but often are. on how to organise and word the manuscript to accomplish These issues can fi ll writers with dread–but there are real this. Stefan Lang and Marc Esser (page 178) add that, al- rewards that make the challenge of manuscript writing though manuscript and marketing writing differ, compre- worthwhile. There is a true feeling of accomplishment hensibility in all scientifi c communications is based on the that comes with getting a manuscript published. Also, new same main principles: simplicity, structure, brevity, and projects are often intense intellectual challenges, making stimulation. them an opportunity to learn new subjects, develop new Another critical soft skill in manuscript writing is effective areas of expertise, and use high-level problem-solving interpersonal communication. For example, manuscripts and analytical skills. And because manuscript writing are often produced by large multifunctional teams, some is diffi cult, success is much appreciated by clients and of whose members may have different opinions and styles co-workers. of working. In particular, a disorganised team can create There are many resources available to help write scientifi c unnecessary complexity and problems. Fortunately, An- manuscripts, but few address manuscript writing from the drew Walker (page 180) provides practical tools, tips and point of view of a professional medical writer. In this issue techniques for working within a multifunctional team pro- of The Write Stuff, we offer a comprehensive series of ar- ducing a manuscript. He describes a logical process that ticles to help guide medical writers through the various minimises miscommunication, disagreements and delays aspects of preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts. For these when working group projects. articles, we included not only European voices but also Effective communication with the editor and referees dur- American ones to get an international perspective. ing the peer review process is also essential for manuscript Writers most often are asked to put together manuscripts writing. To get the manuscript published, emotions need based on clinical study reports (CSRs). Converting a CSR to be mastered and referees’ and editors’ comments need into a manuscript can be a monumental task, especially to be dealt with in an appropriate and effective way. The because the goals of these two kinds of document are dif- stress that comes from not knowing how to do this well is ferent. Furthermore, a CSR might be hundreds of pages what keeps many medical writers away from manuscript long with more than 100 tables and fi gures, whereas a writing. Dorothy Pennachio and I (page 188) explain that manuscript is usually limited to 3000–5000 words and six there are both pragmatic steps and emotional devices that a writer can use to effectively communicate with editors or fewer display items. Also, manuscripts are often an af- and writers and deal with the peer-review process.