Cover Letter, 即投稿信，是论文投递时与论文一起发送给编辑的信件，其目的是让编辑在阅读你的论文之前，简单了解你文章的基本情况。
不知道编辑是谁的情况下直接用 Dear editor; 但是，只要用心一点，去期刊官网查找，一般都能找到的。
在以第一段直接给出文章的标题
如 Letter, communications, article, review还是comments。
这个其实也可以不写，因为在投稿时会选择投稿文章类型。
简要包括研究背景，发现以及可以发表在期刊上的原因等等
一般为通讯作者姓名，所属机构，通讯地址，联系电话，邮箱等
经将这一部分挪到了投稿网站系统上，Cover letter中可以不再列出）
讲了这么多，分享一个实际的案例吧。
Dear Dr. Ciaccio, 杂志主编
On behalf of all coauthors, I am submitting our manuscript entitled “文章标题”for your consideration for publication in Biology and Medicine.
我谨代表所有合著者，提交我们题为“文章标题”的手稿，供您考虑在生物学和医学上发表。
Although there has been a large amount of research focusing on medical image segmentation, few studies have focused specifically on the segmentation of tiny organs.
The difficulty of tiny organ segmentation is that the shape varies greatly among individuals and the boundary with surrounding tissues is not clear.
In the current study, we proposed a 方法, which successfully solves the above two difficulties. The experimental results show that our proposed 方法 outperforms the state-of-the-art deep learning method in segmenting xxx with respect to accuracy.
Another strength of our method is that it requires fewer trainable parameters and imposes a smaller demand on computational resources.
The proposed method can potentially assist clinicians in diagnosis and treatment planning by quickly inspecting abnormalities in xxx and further quantitative analysis.
虽然已经有大量的研究集中在医学图像分割上，但是很少有研究专门针对微小器官的分割。微小器官分割的难点在于个体间形状差异较大，与周围组织的边界不清晰。
在本研究中，我们提出了一种新的xxx方法，成功地解决了上述两个难题。实验结果表明，我们提出的xxx优于最先进的深度学习方法。我们方法的另一个优点是，它需要较少的可训练参数，并且对计算资源的需求较小。
该方法通过快速检测xxx形态计量学异常和进一步定量分析，有可能帮助临床医生制定诊断和治疗计划。
We believe that this article is appropriate for publication by the Biology and Medicine, it would be of great interest to a broad range of readers including radiologists, clinical researchers, computer scientists, and other researchers in related fields.
Finally, we would like to make the following declarations: All authors of this paper have read and approved the final version submitted and contents of this manuscript have not been copyrighted or published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
我们相信这篇文章适合于生物学和医学出版，它将引起包括放射科医生、临床研究人员、计算机科学家和其他相关领域研究人员在内的广大读者的极大兴趣。
最后，我们谨声明：本文的所有作者均已阅读并批准提交的最终版本，本手稿的内容此前未受版权保护或出版，也未考虑在其他地方出版。(这一段可通用)
Thank you for your consideration. I am looking forward to your assessment of our manuscript.
谢谢你的考虑。我期待着你对我们的手稿进行评估。
原文截图：
Thank you for your email of Jul 19, 2021 (论文返修时间). We appreciate the encouraging and enthusiastic comments and suggestions made by you and reviewers, on the basis of which we have revised and (we think) strengthened our paper.
In particular, we have added a detailed description of xxx, restructured the article to make it more logical and easy to understand. Moreover we added a performance comparison with the xxx algorithm, which is considered as the benchmark in the field of biomedical image segmentation.
The results show that our proposed method is superior to xxx in the subfield of xxx segmentation, and our proposed model is much easier to train and deploy.
Changes are tracked and highlighted in the revised manuscript, and all our responses to reviewers’ comments are detailed in ‘Response to Reviewers’. (通用，说明修改情况)
感谢您2021年7月19日的电子邮件。我们感谢您和审稿人提出的鼓舞人心和热情的评论和建议，在此基础上，我们修改并（我们认为）加强了我们的论文。
特别是，我们添加了xxx的详细描述，对文章进行了重组，使其更具逻辑性，更易于理解。此外，我们还添加了与xxx算法的性能比较，xxx算法被认为是生物医学图像分割领域的基准。
结果表明，该方法在xxx分割领域优于xxx，且该模型易于训练和部署。修改后的手稿中跟踪并强调了变更，我们对评审员意见的所有回复详见“Response to Reviewers”。
We look forward to hearing your decision on our revised manuscript.
我们期待着听到你对我们修改稿的决定。
原文截图：
有没有给到你启发呢？
关于论文写作方面的教程一直在更新。查看之前的教程的方法：
Cover letter中文叫做 投稿信 ，是在投稿的时候写给编辑的信，作用跟古时候拜访人家用的拜帖有点相似。如果把期刊编辑形容成住在高墙大院里的名门望族，那投稿人就是希望给伯乐相中的无名小辈，这么说来拜帖一定要精致醒目有特色。不过如果作者已经是业内大牛了，估计投稿信是可以随意一些的。
虽说文章能不能发表靠的还是科研价值本身，但是投稿信也是很重 要的。在现在发表的文章越来越多，权威期刊不缺稿源的情况下，责任编辑做的是择优录用，先淘汰掉一部分感觉上价值不大的稿件。如果投稿信没有含什么有用的信息，文章一眼看上去又没有太多吸引力，一些责任编辑就会很快做出拒稿决定。当然用的是非常委婉的说法，拒稿信用的也是统一模板。比如：
但是实际上，这篇第二天就被责任编辑拒稿的文章其实符合期刊发表的研究方向，因为有几篇相关的文章就是发表在该期刊上。不过被拒了也就拒了，再去辩解也毫无意义。不过好奇之下，还是去google了一下责任编辑的背景，主要是做光学的，跟文章所属的电磁方向虽然是一大类，但还是有所区别。再回头看那个投稿信，用的就是以前的模板，只是用两句话简要介绍了一下文章的主要结果。模板如下：
虽然投稿信也用两句话说明了一下文章结果的价值，但是在这种责任编辑只是大同行的情况下， 如果这两句话不能打动他，那么他就不一定能够认同文章的价值，就会直接作出拒稿的决定。
所以在重新投其他的期刊的时候，就意识到原先投稿信的分量还不够，还要加上一段文字说明为啥文章适合发表在该期刊上。上个月就有一个影响因子还不错的期刊的编辑给大家发了一个邮件，明确说明了，要是在投稿信里面没有加上这些文字，文章会被直接拒稿。
最能反映适合程度的当然是列出自己已经在该期刊上发表的文章，然后说明这两篇文章是有相关性的。如果没有过往记录呢，找出几篇该期刊最近2,3年发表的，被引用次数还不错的文章列举上去也是很有用的。5年前甚至10年前的就不要列了，因为现在期刊的scope都在不断地调整中，以前的热门方向，也许现在期刊已经看不上了。投稿信加上了这部分之后，重投了另外一个影响因子相当的期刊，文章很快被送审，很快给录用了。虽然不一定是投稿信带来的差异，但是还是愿意在心里认为投稿信也是要用心去写的。
不过也要记住，投稿信不要写得太长，最好在一页内把重要的东西说清楚。写得太长，编辑也会没有耐心看的。
有些人建议在投稿信中把推荐的 审稿人 也加上。这个视情况而定，如果期刊投稿的时候本身就要求填写几个推荐的审稿人，那么就不用占用投稿信的空间了。但是如果投稿系统没有这一项的话，那在投稿信加上会更好一些。提供的信息可以是审稿人的头衔、姓名、地址和电子邮件。记得多次确认一下，电子邮件是人家有效的而且是常用的。
叙述研究最重要的发现，避免使用技术或专业术语。主要目标是在既有的文献背景下构建研究发现，可以通过问题来找出自己的研究优势。
一、撰写初稿前除需认真阅读拟投期刊的“投稿须知”，仔细研究所选期刊对论文撰写的各种要求外；还应认真学习最新出版拟投期刊中与自己论文相似的文章，看“投稿须知”中的要求如何在这些文章中体现，并以这些文章为写作样本。
二、有经验的科学写作家都认为，撰写论文从“材料和方法”部分开始，以摘要、文题、作者、结束，可以使写作更为快捷而有效，并且可以明显减少以后的修改工作。
三、要有意识的地进行文化导入，不仅强调英美文化，同时还要培养学生用英语宣传中国化，“取其精华，去其糟粕”。西方社会中有很多过于开放的理念并不适合中国国情，应该适当引导，以免陷入“西方超前文化”的误区。
一般向SCI投稿论文时都会写一份Cover letter，即投稿信。它是为了帮助 编辑 快速了解文章内容和找到合适的审稿人，一篇内容恰当的cover letter会给你的工作锦上添花，掷出投稿第一块敲门砖。
但 Cell Press 的editor觉得不少人都不知道为什么要写Cover letter，错误地在这部分重复摘要中的内容，这无疑是极大的浪费。因此就有了下面的指导，跟着 Cell 学，离投 Cell 就不远了。
我稍微整理了一下格式，并将重点加以标记。后面提供了三份 模板 ，有一份有详细的注释。
Cover letters are provided for editors only , which means that, unlike the title and abstract that will be visible to, let’s hope, billions of people once the paper is published, the cover letter is going to be seen and read by a very tiny group of people.
Nevertheless, these are the people who have the responsibility to decide whether a manuscript is suitable for consideration in the journal it was submitted to . So, convincing the editors that your paper makes a valuable contribution to the knowledge in the field is important, and that’s why you need to put your cover letter to work.
The cover letter is your first “formal” interaction with a journal, and it embodies a request, so to speak, to consider your article for publication. But it also provides you with an excellent opportunity to present the significance of your scientific contribution.
Some Tips from Catarina, the Editor of Trends in Molecular Medicine.
Two aspects you need to understand clearly.
1). Let’s start with content.
You should succinctly explain what was previously known and then state your motivation for wishing to publish.
Such as:
2). Get to the point .
Succinctly explain the topic of discussion , and quickly convey the key conclusions . Generally, one page suffices and is preferred.
3). Do not rehash the abstract of the paper .
Copying and pasting the abstract into your cover letter verbatim is a big no-no . Instead, you need to venture beyond the summary: write a sentence that takes you further than the obvious conclusions .
Such as:
4). Get excited !
Your excitement about the scientific contributions can undoubtedly inspire the editor who’s reading the cover letter. Overall, the sentiment of “ you’re gonna love reading this paper! “ should seep through—make that happen!
5). Including a wish list of reviewers .
Relevant information on potential reviewers (including their field of expertise) can be included and is definitely a plus , as it can be quite helpful to the editor .
Don’t provide a long list of excluded reviewers (three maximum), and most certainly do not suggest excluding authors from entire continents on the map! Also, save the editor some time by specifying which author should be the lead contact , and indicate their affiliation.
当然这一部分有的会直接在投稿系统中填写，就不需要占用Cover letter的空间了。
6). Keep it simple and humble .
In terms of style, consider sincerity and simplicity . Statements indicating that the article or related findings have been presented at X number of conferences and are “tremendously” well received by the scientific community—or otherwise— do not add much to the cover letter. They might instead suggest right off the bat that a lot of cooing and convincing of the journal editor will be required. So let the “science” speak for itself . Also, a statement declaring that the article is original and isn’t being considered elsewhere can only add to your cause!
7). Proofread your letter by checking the spelling, grammar, and syntax .
8). Check every detail .
Avoid mistakes such as directing the cover letter to the editor(s) of a different journal, or to a different journal altogether .
A poor example:
Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology. Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience. With my best regards, Sincerely yours, A Researcher, PhD
[Replace bracketed text with your own information and writing. Best of luck! Email us at with any questions!][My Name University of Research 804 Research Drive Los Angeles, CA, USA 90210 ]
[Dr. John Editorian Editor-in-Chief Journal of Science]
Dear [Dr. Editorian]:
I am pleased to submit an original research article entitled [ “Neofunctionalization of polymerase rho in Ustilago maydis” by Albert Postdoc and My Name] for consideration for publication in [the Journal of Science]. We previously uncovered a role for [polymerase rho in DNA repair in U. maydis (citation)], and this manuscript builds on our prior study to determine the evolution of this unique enzyme.
In this manuscript, we show that [polymerase rho… (list a few important results)].
We believe that this manuscript is appropriate for publication by [the Journal of Science] because it… [specific link to the journal’s aims & scope]. [Our manuscript creates a paradigm for future studies of the evolution of essential enzymes in yeast.]
This manuscript has not been published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. We have no conflicts of interest to disclose, but we do respectfully request that [Dr. Glen Meanie] not review our manuscript. If you feel that the manuscript is appropriate for your journal, we suggest the following reviewers:
[list reviewers and contact info, if requested by the journal]
Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
[My Name, PhD Professor, Department of Evolutionary Mycology University of Research]
Sample cover letter[Your Name] [Your Affiliation] [Your Address]
[Date]
Dear [Editor name], I/We wish to submit an original research article entitled “[title of article]” for consideration by [journal name]. I/We confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. In this paper, I/we report on / show that _______. This is significant because __________. We believe that this manuscript is appropriate for publication by [journal name] because it… [specific reference to the journal’s Aims & Scope]. __________. [Please explain in your own words the significance and novelty of the work, the problem that is being addressed, and why the manuscript belongs in this journal. Do not simply insert your abstract into your cover letter! Briefly describe the research you are reporting in your paper, why it is important, and why you think the readership of the journal would be interested in it.]
We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Please address all correspondence concerning this manuscript to me at [email address]. Thank you for your consideration of this manuscript. Sincerely, [Your name]
后台回复 cover letter 或点击获取三份模板的word版。
原文链接：
