First Annual Graduate Student Conference on International Relations

Tips for Getting Published

Michael Brown
Dean of the Elliott School, GWU

Remarks at IR Field Conference, University of Maryland
May 14, 2008

1. Pick an important topic—an A+ topic; avoid professional pressures to be so distinct that you select something narrow; choose a topic with implications for scholarship, theory or policy—or preferably all three; and be explicit about why this is an important topic
    
2. Make a new significant contribution—an A+ answer; establish the baseline and state of the art on your subject, and clearly say why a new study is need; be explicit about what is your contribution
    
3. Argue carefully—don’t overstate or understate your argument, and be respectful of those that have addressed this topic before you; think about what the counter-arguments might be and pre-empt them
    
4. Organize effectively—outline everything in advance, and utilize a summary introduction and headings to guide the reader through the argument and evidence
    
5. Write well—be precise and concise; do not use jargon; commit yourself to writing multiple drafts and revising them; learn to self-edit
    
6. Pick your publication carefully

See the article by Teresa Pelton Johnson, “Writing for International Security,” International Security Fall 1991 16,2: 171-180.

 

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