Writing
Click to view 'Prime and Predigest', a Jane Austen-inspired article about writing for publication by Speech & Language Therapy in Practice editor Avril Nicoll. This is reprinted from our Spring 03 issue.
GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS
Speech & Language Therapy in Practice aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, so every attempt should be made in articles to provide a practical focus and examples. A certain amount of technical knowledge can be assumed as the magazine’s readership is generally within the speech and language therapy profession. In general articles are about sharing clinical practice or audit rather than research.
CHECKLIST FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES
1. Articles must be typed and save electronically, preferably as a Word document. Please e-mail your article as a file attachment (or send it on a CD). Please also include a photograph of yourself. Always keep a copy yourself in case of loss, and to compare with the edited version.
2. Photographs and illustrations should be sent as separate jpg files (not embedded within Word documents) or original copies. Digital photographs should be taken with the camera set to high, not e-mail, quality. Other photographs will be returned. Please ensure you have consent for the use of photographs.
3. Length for general articles is usually around 2500 words but this is flexible.
4. Statistical information should be kept to a minimum and put in tables, with practical implications summarised in the text.
5. Provide full references in alphabetical order according to the Harvard system.
6. Please meet deadlines. It allows time for the editor to request further information and for you to put this together. If you are going to be unable to meet a deadline, please let the editor know.
7. Articles submitted to Speech & Language Therapy in Practice must NOT be simultaneously submitted to any other publication without the editor being advised. Please also inform the editor if you have submitted articles on the same subject to other publications.
8. Provide your full working title as you would like it to appear and ensure you send details of your home / work addresses and phone numbers, fax number and e-mail if applicable.
9. If your article is based on a research study, please include covering information confirming that you have full ethical approval from an appropriate Research Ethics Committee. Please also supply information about the consent procedure followed.
10. Send to Avril Nicoll, Editor, Speech & Language Therapy in Practice, 33 Kinnear Square, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire AB30 1UL, e-mail avrilnicoll@speechmag.com.
EDITING PROCESS
Once you have submitted an article, Avril endeavours to get back to you within about two weeks with feedback and requests for clarification or additional information to add practical value or make the article more appropriate for Speech & Language Therapy in Practice. On your article being accepted, you will be advised which issue it has been scheduled for. On occasion Avril will suggest a 'circle of critical friends' form of peer review.
Around one to two months prior to publication articles are edited and returned for your approval.
The aim of editing is to give consistency to the magazine, not to change the meaning or personal style of writing. An introduction, headings and sub-headings are added, along with ‘read this if…’ information and reflections.
The style of editing is fairly ‘hands-on’, and Avril is happy to work with authors throughout the writing process if they wish.
MAKING ARTICLES PRACTICAL
Experience
This magazine values what has been gained from experience as much as research. Articles can be personal / opinionated. This stimulates debate and provides readers with different perspectives. Be careful though to make it clear that you are giving an opinion.
Case examples
Make it real. Use case examples where possible to show how this worked for an individual client. These will probably be short with little background detail. Do not under any circumstances provide information which could enable a client to be identified unless you have consent. If you are providing a significant level of detail it is good practice to discuss this with the client in any case - and we also welcome articles co-written with clients.
Questionnaires and checklists
Include a copy of any questionnaires or checklists mentioned if you can, or at least a couple of examples of your questions / points. This has two advantages:
a) the reader knows exactly what you mean
b) the reader can make use of something which has already been tried in practice rather than having to start from scratch.
Resources
Make it easy for readers to access resources by listing the manufacturer / supplier, telephone number and cost. (In the event that you have an ‘interest’ in the resource you need to declare this.)
Diagrams
Diagrams summarising therapeutic procedure can be more effective than lots of text.
Voluntary organisations
If appropriate, give details of any relevant voluntary organisation.
Doing things differently
Help others learn from your experience. What would you like to have done under ideal conditions or could you do differently if you were in a similar situation again?
Wider applications
Even if you work with a very specific client group, what you are writing about will almost certainly be relevant to others. Make this explicit.
References
References should be provided in alphabetical order, with content and layout in the Harvard style (references selected from: Rodger, K. (2006) ‘Some hae meat’, Speech & Language Therapy in Practice Winter):
Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (1997) Hungry in Hospital? London: ACHCEW.
Vaughn, B. & Horner, R.H. (1995) ‘Effects of concrete versus verbal choice systems on problem behaviour’, Augmentative and Alternative Communication 11(2), pp.89-92.
Walker, J. & Higginson, C. (2000) The Nutrition of Elderly People and Nutritional Aspects of their Care in Long-Term Care Settings. Final Audit Report. Available at: http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/crag/topics/nutrition/report.pdf (Accessed: 21 September 2006).
Note on advertising
Speech & Language Therapy in Practice carries very little advertising, but a degree of advertising keeps subscription costs down and provides readers with information. Publication of advertisements is not an endorsement of the advertiser or its products or services by the publisher or contributors.
REGULAR FEATURES
How I… This section looks at a topical issue from at least two perspectives. Each contribution is around 1800 words.
My Top Resources is hugely popular with readers. Therapists summarise the kind of work they do, then detail the ten things they could not do without in their everyday practice. Commercially available or home-made, old or new, ranging from a pink highlighter pen to a high tech communication aid - in around 100 words each, the practical value of the item and why it is indispensable is explained. For many things this means explaining their flexibility and perhaps mentioning some uses other people wouldn’t have thought of. If possible, information about the manufacturer and price is provided.
Here’s one I made earlier…was suggested by a reader who, like many speech and language therapists, has to come up with flexible and creative therapy materials on a low budget. In around 150-200 words, summarise what the idea is about, list any materials needed and explain ways of using and adapting the activity. (Please note that the ideas should either be your own or adapted from traditional activities; known sources should be fully acknowledged.)
Conference calls
Have you been at an interesting conference? Rather than reporting section by section on what was said, identify the key themes or messages of the day. Focus on what you got out of the event and how it related to and will influence your practice.
Creative shorts
In around 1200 words describe a small project you have undertaken, or a resource you have developed.
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Articles can be submitted to the editor for consideration in the usual way. Conference reports are particularly welcome.
