[Journal Name]
[Journal Contact Info]
[Submission Date]
Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms.] [Editor Last Name]:
Attached, please find our research article entitled “[Title of article]” for consideration by [Italicized Journal Name].
Our study answers the research question, “[research question here]”. We answer this research question by [one sentence summarizing the project—i.e. broad method, result, and conclusion, e.g. “… by using X method to produce Y result showing that Z conclusion.”].
By answering this research question, our study [3 sentences connecting the project’s broad motivations with the journal’s mission and readership. Reword some text from your article’s Introduction to connect with the journal’s vision. Avoid statements like, “…our article’s motivation aligns well with Journal’s vision”—let the editor decide that. Rather, pick some key words from the journal’s vision statement and work them into this paragraph.]
The literature currently overlooks this research question because [two sentences describing the research gap—i.e. weaknesses in the literature. Don’t be long-winded. Don’t cite specific articles. Give enough information for the editor to see that a research gap exists—i.e. your study has scientific novelty.]
We explore the research question by [one sentence describing the methods. Stay general. Focus on the important experimental features.] Our results show that [one sentence describing the main finding.] [One sentence describing the supplementary findings]. We conclude that [one sentence describing the main conclusion—i.e. the answer to the research question.] [One sentence connecting that conclusion back to the motivation and the journal’s vision.]
[Another paragraph here for any additional information that the journal requires in submission cover letters—check the journal’s website. This paragraph can be a bit choppy, so aim for brevity. For example, “This project was funded by XYZ funding institution. The authors have no conflicts of interest. This manuscript has not been submitted to any other journals.” etc.]
We look forward to receiving comments from the selected reviewers. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Lead author name, email, and Institutional affiliation.]
[Supervisor name and Institutional affiliation.]