The structure of a neurosurgical manuscript.

Preparing publishable manuscripts is an important aspect of professional life in research or clinical neurosurgery, especially for those in academic circles. Scientific writing skills can be developed through a long process of training and experience, starting with the residency program. The first step in developing a manuscript is to focus on a subject or problem that might be of significant interest to colleagues in the field. Next, the prospective writer must do a detailed survey of the relevant literature, the results of which will help him or her decide whether to actually write about the topic. Since the primary goal is to get the manuscript published, the writer should bear a specific journal in mind and write in accordance with the guidelines of that publication. He or she must also consider general ethics and scientific rules during the writing process. Learning how to assess and use scientific sources, how to relate the collected information to the manuscript, and how to write in good scientific form are all important aspects of neurosurgical training.