Publishing academic papers serves as a crucial avenue for showcasing research and disseminating scholarly accomplishments. However, graduate students often grapple with questions on how to craft academic journals, select suitable journals, and effectively address review comments, as they embark on their research journey.
This semester, the ‘Editor-in-Chief Speaks’ initiative, spearheaded by the Journal Center of SJTU, ventured into the School of Mechanical Engineering. Collaborating with Liyuan Academic Organizing Committee, they launched the ‘Academic Wonderful Writings’ series of salons. Five esteemed teachers from the Journal Center, providing insights from and editorial perspective, delved into various facets of the thesis publication process. Topics covered included thesis writing, adherence to writing standards, manuscript preparation, journal selection, and response strategies to reviewer comments. These sessions aimed to comprehensively enhance students’ proficiency in academic thesis composition and publication.
On the afternoon of March 14th , the inaugural ‘Academic Wonderful Writings’ Salon Series convened at the Gaotian Lecture Hall of the school of Mechanical Engineering. Under the theme of “Writing and Publishing Journal Papers”, Jiang Xia, Director of the Editor-in-Chief Office at the Journal Center and Editorial Office Director of the Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University shared invaluable insights into paper composition and submission strategies. Cai Yunze, Deputy Director of the Journal Center, alongside Zhang Zhinan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Mechanical Engineering, joined over 150 students from diverse departments in engaging with this enriching event.
During the Salon Series, Cai Yunze delivered a speech, providing an insightful overview of the Journal Center's development history, highlighting the array of courses and special activities it offers. She expressed her hope that through these activities, journal editors could forge closer ties with students and faculty, offering valuable assistance to enhance students' academic writing skills. Cai encouraged students to actively engage with the Journal Center of SJTU and contribute to the university-sponsored journals.
Zhang Zhinan extended a warm welcome to the teachers from the Journal Center, drawing from his personal experience submitting articles to the Journal of SJTU. He underscored the importance of maintaining a rigorous and serious attitude towards academic writing and submission. Zhang emphasized the significance of listening attentively and studying the reports of lecturers to genuinely enhance students' professional academic abilities.
Jiang Xia, in her presentation, shared her experience in three parts: "Planning before writing," "Basic principles of writing," and "Basic structure of thesis." She stressed the importance of meticulous planning before embarking on writing, advising students to grasp the editors' perspectives and effectively convey their message in their articles. Jiang provided practical writing methods, ranging from crafting engaging titles and abstracts to structuring introductions. She concluded by imparting simple and practical writing tips such as the "3C principle" and "elevator pitch".
The writing and publication of academic papers are integral components of students' scientific research endeavors. The ‘Academic Wonderful Writings’ series of salons serves as a vital conduit between students and the esteemed teachers of the Journal Center, offering practical and effective assistance to enhance students' professional writing skills.
