Review articles are concise, accessible summaries of recent discoveries in science or the arts. The goal is not to replicate technical papers but to translate them into engaging narratives that readers without specialized training can understand. Your role is to illuminate why a discovery matters, explain its context, and clarify how it advances its field.
Audience and Tone
Write for an intelligent general audience with no technical background. Avoid jargon whenever possible; define unavoidable technical terms in plain language. Keep the tone clear, engaging, and educational without oversimplifying the underlying ideas.
Article Length
Target 800–1,500 words. This range provides enough space to introduce the field, explain the discovery, and discuss broader implications.
Title Requirements
- No more than 70 characters or two lines.
- Avoid acronyms, abbreviations, numbers, or punctuation.
- Convey the article’s central message in approachable language.
Required Structure
- Field Background (½ page): Offer a broad overview of the field, key questions, major challenges, and the potential impact. Explain why the area matters to society or future research.
- Introduction to the Specific Topic (½ page maximum): Describe the study or discovery you are highlighting, reframing the original introduction in accessible language. Emphasize the problem addressed, its importance, and how it fits within the broader field.
- New Findings and Their Implications (1 page maximum): Walk readers through what the researchers uncovered and how they obtained the results. Focus on ideas rather than technical details. Highlight the significance: What new understanding emerged? How does it advance the field? What new directions become possible?
Figures
- Include up to two figures: one broad, contextual figure and one tied directly to the study.
- Use original figures whenever possible. If adapting existing figures, cite the source and secure written permission when required.
- Ensure figures are clear, simple, and explanatory rather than dense technical reproductions.
Following these guidelines will keep your review focused, engaging, and aligned with BreakthroughFrontiers's mission to make discoveries accessible.
Original research papers present genuine undergraduate research that contributes new knowledge or insights to a scientific or scholarly field. These submissions should mirror the focus and professionalism of articles in high-impact journals such as Nature or Science, while remaining concise and accessible.
Purpose and Scope
Your manuscript should represent original work carried out by the listed authors and demonstrate an advance in understanding. Acceptable approaches include experimental, theoretical, computational, or interdisciplinary projects. Aim for no more than three pages to keep the narrative tight and reader-focused.
Title
Provide a clear, descriptive title that reflects the central result or area of research. Avoid acronyms, numbers, abbreviations, and unnecessary punctuation. Readers should understand the topic at a glance.
Authors and Affiliations
List every contributor along with institutional affiliations. The primary author typically appears first unless your discipline uses a different convention.
Abstract
Include a single paragraph that summarizes the research topic, the driving question or hypothesis, the key findings, and the broader significance. Keep it brief, informative, and self-contained.
Acknowledgements and Conflict of Interest
Recognize funding agencies, institutions, mentors, or collaborators who supported the work. Add a conflict-of-interest statement affirming that contributors have no conflicts to declare (or disclosing them when relevant).
Figures
- Include 2–4 professionally prepared figures that illustrate methods, results, or conceptual frameworks.
- Ensure each figure is legible, with labeled axes where applicable and a caption that explains the content independently of the main text.
- Use figures strategically to help readers grasp key insights quickly.
Methods Section (Optional but Recommended)
Provide a concise Methods section if your work relies on experiments, simulations, or modeling. Offer enough detail for another researcher to understand the approach without replicating a full-length technical paper.
Following these guidelines will ensure your original research paper communicates new findings effectively and meets BreakthroughFrontiers's publication standards.