Writing an effective and succinct cover letter: A practical guide Mastering the art of cover letters Section Medical writing

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Published Dec 1, 2024
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v102i12.5438
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Vol. 102 No. 12 (2024): Tunis Med dec 2024

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Helmi Ben Saad
LR12SP09 "Heart failure" research laboratory, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7477-2965
Haifa Hachfi
Department of Rheumatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
Melek Kechida
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5110-6329
Rania Kaddoussi
Department of Pneumology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
Hedhemi Rejeb
Department of Pneumology, Abdelrahman Mami hospital, Ariana, Tunisia
Wafa Alaya
Department of Endocrinology, university hospital Tahar Sfar, Mahdia, Tunisia
Saida Hidouri
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Research Laboratory LR12SP13 "Malformative Pathology of the Child", Zaghouan Regional Hospital, University of Monastir, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3220-8028

Abstract

Introduction. The cover letter is a critical component of medical journal submissions, often influencing acceptance decisions. However, authors frequently underestimate its importance. This narrative review aimed to provide guidance for authors on writing effective and succinct cover letters.


Methods. We conducted a narrative review of literature on the recommended structure and content for drafting a cover letter.


Results. An effective and succinct cover letter should include the names of the editor in chief and journal, submission details, ethical statements, authors' agreement, and contact information. Additional elements such as declarations of conflicts of interest, funding sources, and permissions may also be necessary. The cover letter should emphasize the manuscript's uniqueness without merely duplicating the abstract.


Conclusion. Cover letters remain pivotal for manuscript acceptance and must adhere to specific guidelines.

Keywords:

Cover Letter, Editorial Process, Manuscripts as Topic, Medical Writing, Peer Review, Research

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Helmi Ben Saad, LR12SP09 "Heart failure" research laboratory, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia.

  • Professor of Physiology and Functional Explorations at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse - Tunisia, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations at EPS Farhat HACHED - Sousse - Tunisia.
  • President of the College of Physiology and Functional Explorations (terms: 2014-2017 and 2021-2023).
  • Master's degree in Biological and Medical Sciences from the University of Montpellier I, France.
  • World expert in spirometry (ranked 1st in Africa): https://expertscape.com/ex/spirometry/c/afr.
  • Diploma of Advanced Studies in "Human Movement Sciences" from the University of Montpellier I, France.
  • Interuniversity Diploma "Pathophysiology of Exercise and Functional Exercise Explorations" from the University of Montpellier 1, France.
  • International PhD in Sciences between the Universities of Montpellier I (France) and Monastir (Tunisia).
  • European Spirometry Driving License Part 1 (theory only) and the European Spirometry Training Program (Part 2: knowledge and competence in practice) and the European Spirometry train-the-trainer course.
  • Invited speaker at numerous international congresses on respiratory functional explorations.
  • Author of over 250 scientific articles in indexed and impact factor journals.
  • Potential reviewer for over 100 indexed and impact factor journals and potential external reviewer for the University of Cape Town (South Africa), uwait (Kuwait) and Mutah (Jordan).
  • Winner of the Sadok BESROUR Award for Excellence in Medical Research (2021).
  • Web:
  1. http://scholar.google.fr/citations?hl=fr&user=oeV_0OwAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdatehttp://www.researchgate.net/profile/Helmi_Ben_Saad
  2. https://publons.com/author/602231/helmi-ben-saad#profile
  3. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Helmi_Ben_Saad

Haifa Hachfi, Department of Rheumatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

Department of Rheumatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

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