Information For Authors
Interested in submitting to this journal? We recommend that you review our recent blog post "What We Do and Don't Publish." Young Scholars in Writing uses the current MLA Style Guide.
Focus and Scope
Young Scholars in Writing: Undergraduate Research in Writing and Rhetoric is an international peer-reviewed journal. It publishes research and theoretical articles by undergraduates of all majors and years on the subjects of rhetoric, writing, writers, discourse, language, and related topics.
Journal Mission
Young Scholars in Writing is guided by these central beliefs: (1) that research can and should be a crucial component of rhetorical education and (2) that undergraduates engaged in research about writing and rhetoric should have opportunities to share their work with a broader audience of students, scholars, and teachers through national publication.
Young Scholars in Writing is intended to be a resource for students engaged in undergraduate research and for scholars who are interested in new advances or theories relating to language, composition, rhetoric, and related fields.
Peer Review Process
The editorial staff at Young Scholars in Writing is committed to a professional, efficient, and fair review process. So you know what to expect when you submit an essay for publication consideration, we have outlined our procedures below.
All submissions are first read by the editors, who send papers that seem to fit the journal’s general specifications to one or two peer reviewers, either undergraduate students or student authors who have previously published in YSW. If they recommend a paper for revision or publication, it is sent to a faculty member from the Editorial Board (a “Faculty Advising Editor,” or FAE)—comprised of scholars in Rhetoric and Composition from around the world—for the next reading. At this point, the FAE makes one of three decisions: Accept; Accept Contingent on Revisions; or Decline.
In our 19-volume history, only one student’s essay has been accepted without revisions. “Accept Contingent on Revisions” is therefore the common response for essays we publish. It is like the “Revise and Resubmit” response that even well-known scholars receive from other professional scholarly journals they submit work to, with one difference. In faculty journals, “Revise and Resubmit” does not mean that the journal will necessarily accept the revised submission. However, at Young Scholars, we commit to publishing an article if the writer does put in sufficient time and effort to revise the draft based on the Faculty Advising Editor’s suggestions. If your submission receives an "Accept Contingent on Revisions" response, our printing it is contingent on you actually making the revisions you negotiate with your FAE, but you can take this response to mean "Yes! We want to publish your piece!" This is a huge accomplishment, even though it means more work awaits you.
Publishing in Young Scholars is hard, challenging work, but it is worth the effort. Here’s what some of our former contributors say about the review and publication process:
YSW’s revision process taught me a great deal about concision, clarity and structure. The feedback I received, and the editing process that followed, were both highly valuable experiences. The lessons learned throughout the process continue to benefit my writing. -Patrick Belanger
When I first submitted my paper to YSW, it was the product of the longest and most serious research I had ever conducted, and at the time I thought that it was the best piece of writing I had ever produced. However, working with the editors of YSW to revise my paper so that it could be published helped me to see my paper from a new perspective and allowed me to turn a promising piece of writing into an even better article. I put more time and effort into that revision than ever before, but the editors' comments and suggestions were specific and incredibly helpful. Ultimately, I
learned a great deal about the kind of serious revision necessary to produce a really strong article and to publish in a scholarly setting. -Alicia Brazeau
The revisions I did on my piece for YSW were relatively simple, yet they transformed my work from being geared toward a very small, specific audience (the English Department at my university) to one that is now accessible by a wide range of readers. The journal's editors were very helpful throughout the revision process, offering comments and suggestions every step of the way. Everyone at YSW with whom I worked were always positive and supportive, and they couldn't have been easier to work with, not just in terms of editorial considerations, but of scheduling, as well. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have worked with YSW. -Bill Chewning
From beginning to end, my experience with the Young Scholars in Writing Editorial Board was exciting and enlightening. After finishing the paper and working on it again for a conference presentation, my co-authors and I felt somewhat burned out on the piece, but hearing about the editors’ interest in our work gave us new energy. Receiving feedback from fresh eyes offered us new perspective and ideas on how to strengthen our claims. Our [FAE] proved continually helpful and encouraging as we worked through the board’s revision suggestions and resubmitted for more comments. After substantial changes and additional discussion, we felt proud of our hard work and our final product. I could not have wished for a better experience for my first academic publication! -Ruth Johnson
When I received the initial "revise and resubmit" response, I was both thrilled with the possibility of publication and decidedly not-thrilled about the revision process. Yet immediately upon receiving suggestions from Dr. Amy Robillard, I realized that this was an opportunity to delve in so much deeper and to create something much fuller and richer. ... I
found that not only did I uncover new ideas and ways of thinking about my subject, I also learned invaluable lessons in extensive editing for cohesion, flow, and clarity. With her mentorship, what started out as a pretty good idea somewhat supported by research became a solidly presented and supported thesis. -Lucy Marrero The editor-writer relationship was one that I reveled in, because critical analysis and editorial insights are the best way to know your own work and how to improve it through the abilities of others. Indeed, I have learned that revisions are not to be taken lightly and that they are arduous yet critical components of the writing process, which push a text toward - but, alas, never to - perfection. -Andrew Noel
Where does one begin to describe the benefits of submitting a paper to YSW? Readers see the finished product: undergraduate research, bold analysis and flowing transitions from cover to blue cover. We, the submitters, recall the bits and pieces that fell upon the proverbial cutting room floor. I think we all experienced growth by interacting with editors, mentors and peers. A valuable experience I would gladly repeat! -Lauren Petrillo
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Publication Frequency
Young Scholars in Writing publishes one volume per year, typically in late January or early February. The journal provides a limited print run for contributors and for research professionals in Rhetoric & Composition around the world. Once the print version of the journal has mailed, the online version is released, usually in late February. In most cases the online version is identical to the print version. Beginning with Volume 13, it is possible for the journal to accept graphics-intensive articles that can be published online only (e.g., pieces that require color publication).
Open Access Policy
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
Research Ethics and IRB Clearance for Research Involving Human Participants
Young Scholars in Writing accepts articles reporting on primary research involving human participants only if that research has been structured to safeguard the rights and privacy of research participants. Undergraduate researchers must discuss ethical conduct of research and their institution's research ethics guidelines with their faculty mentors. YSW requires good-faith certification from authors that research involving human participants has been conducted according to their institution's research ethics and IRB (institutional review board) guidelines. Undergraduate researchers should also consult the Conference on College Composition and Communication's Guidelines for the Ethical Conduct of Research in Composition Studies: http://www.ncte.org/cccc/resources/positions/ethicalconduct
