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business needs but will also be useful for simple scientific charts and graphs.

Some journals accept tables imbedded into the text. Most journals, however, need all graphics to be printed as
hardcopy output at 600 dpi minimum resolution. Photographs generally need to be supplied as 8 x 10 inch glossy
prints. Some journals will accept digital photographs,

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with at least 1200 dpi resolution. Some journals accept graphics electronically. Find out a journal's requirements
before creating final graphics and other art. (See Chapter 13, "How to Design Effective Tables," and Chapter 14,
"How to Prepare Effective Graphs," for more on table and graph creation programs.)

Using Your Word-Processing Program

Most writers now use word-processing programs to prepare their manuscripts. Almost all scientific journals accept,
and many now require, articles or reports on disk in electronic format. Listed below are just some of the advantages
word-processing programs offer to writers:

• Outlining is built into many applications.

• Revision and editing are greatly simplified.

• Multiple drafts are more easily supported.

• Collaborative work is made easier.

• Table- and chart-making capabilities are built into many applications.

Templates

Templates are a combination of text and page formats that encode the basic arrangement of a page. A template
includes specifications for such items as margins, typefaces for text, major and minor headings, and captions. A
template can be created for both word-processing and page-layout applications. Templates do not automate the
process entirely; rather, they make preparing the manuscript easier for the writer by providing a basic formatting
arrangement that can be modified for specific needs. For instance, an author can modify a template to meet all the
style requirements of a specific scientific journal. Templates are also a way of maintaining consistency when working
collaboratively. Templates can be created for cover letters, title pages, and complete manuscripts.

Editing and Revising Your Manuscript

Some writers like to edit directly on the screen. Others prefer to make their editorial changes on printed hardcopy, and
many use a combination

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of both. Since we tend to see things differently on the computer screen than on paper output, the editing process works
best with a combination of both. How you proceed is essentially a matter of personal preference. Printouts are also
useful if you wish to have collaborators and colleagues critique your paper as you develop it.

Saving, Backing Up, and Printing Your Document

While writing, you should save your file at least every 10 minutes. You can even set your word-processing program

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