Turning Your Dissertation or Coursework Chapter into a Publishable Paper

A dissertation chapter and a journal article are different documents, even when they cover the same ground. Here’s how to convert one into the other.

Cut the throat-clearing

Dissertation chapters often open with pages of background that a journal reader doesn’t need. An article should get to the research question within the first few paragraphs.

Narrow the scope

A chapter is usually one part of a larger argument. Pull out the single strongest, most self-contained piece of that argument rather than trying to compress the whole chapter.

Rewrite the literature review

A dissertation literature review demonstrates breadth of reading. A journal article’s literature review should instead justify exactly why your specific question hasn’t already been answered.

Check originality carefully

If any part of the chapter has already been submitted elsewhere (for a degree or another publication), say so where required and make sure the journal you’re submitting to allows it — most will, since a degree submission is not usually treated as prior publication, but confirm with the specific journal.

Match the house style

Switch citation style if needed (see our OSCOLA vs Bluebook vs APA guide) and follow the target journal’s formatting exactly before submitting.

Once it’s ready, see the LJLPS author guidelines and the submission page.