If you’re an international scholar whose first language is not English, you may be struggling to get your journal entries published.
Many times, even if you are a scholar with English as your first language, you can struggle even if you went to one of the top schools that publish the most academic journals, whether stateside or international.
Whether you’re writing for a medical or a scientific journal, you need to know how to get the job done and then get it accepted. This blog will give you a few tips for writing a successful entry for an academic journal.
Take Advantage of Modern Tools
The first thing you’re going to want to do is take advantage of the modern tools offered today. If you’re unsure about translating your journal entry into English, then take advantage of the wealth of technical translation services out there today. It’s better to pay for translation services than to have language mistakes in your entry that will keep it from being accepted by academic institutions.
Write With Others
When it comes to journal entries in a language that isn’t your own, it’s a good idea to write with others. Not only can they help with your research, but many of the group may speak English, which will help you learn the language and also allow you to ask them questions as you write your journal entry.
Always Fact Check Your Journal Entry
No matter what type of content you write, you always need to fact-check your entry before submitting it. For example, if you are an international scholar, then you might not know the ways and customs of the English language. Also, the facts that are true in your country might not be correct in the United States.
On top of that, your reputation is on the line, and it only takes one journalist, one online critic, or even one academic that is suspicious of your journal entry. After that, your whole journal and career can be called into question.
Always Avoid Plagiarism
Under no circumstances, no matter what type of writer you are, should you skip the plagiarism check of your journal entry. This is the fastest way to ruin your career as a scholar and your reputation as well. Plagiarism can lead to expulsion, being fired, and in some cases, being sued and prosecuted for stealing someone else’s hard work and passing it off as your own.
You can avoid being accused of plagiarizing your international journal entries by fact-checking, keeping track of your sources, quoting and paraphrasing correctly, and citing your sources correctly as well. Finally, when your entry is done, check your work, run it through a reputable plagiarism checker, and then check it again.
Plagiarism is a very serious offense, so be diligent and don’t let it happen to you.
Implement Changes From Feedback
Once your journal entry is complete, it’s always a good idea to let someone you trust read it. Letting someone read your work can help you spot facts you might have missed, whether it’s a colleague, a trusted teacher, advisor, or employer, or someone else.
It can also help you to pick up on grammar and word choice mistakes you might not be used to, especially if your first language isn’t English. Finally, make sure to use and implement changes that make sense from the feedback you are given.
These are just a few tips to help you write a successful international journal entry. Make sure that you use a translating service to ensure that the language you don’t understand is right, and then have someone read it over for you when the entry is done for the best results.