Academic Paper Polish#

Transform rough drafts into publication-ready manuscripts following Nature, Science, and top-tier journal conventions. Supports both English and Chinese academic writing.

Description#

This skill provides systematic guidance for polishing academic manuscripts. It covers abstract refinement, logical flow restructuring, academic tone calibration, and formatting compliance. Designed for researchers submitting to high-impact journals (IF > 5) who need their writing to meet rigorous editorial standards.

When to Use#

• Polishing a research paper draft before submission
• Refining abstracts for conference proceedings or journal submissions
• Improving academic English for non-native speakers
• Restructuring a manuscript for better logical flow
• Preparing cover letters or response-to-reviewer documents
• Translating Chinese drafts into publication-quality English

Instructions#

1. Analyze the Manuscript#

Read the full text first. Identify:

• Target journal and its style requirements
• Current stage: rough draft, revision, or final polish
• Main weaknesses: grammar, logic, brevity, terminology, or all

2. Polish in This Order#

Title

• Maximize information density (avoid filler words)
• Include key finding or method if space permits
• Keep under 15 words for most journals; under 10 for Nature/Science

Abstract

• Strictly follow structured format if required (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
• Lead with the gap/problem, not general background
• End with specific impact, not vague significance
• Target 150-250 words depending on journal

Introduction

• Funnel structure: broad context → specific gap → your contribution
• Cite primary literature, not reviews, for specific claims
• State the hypothesis or research question explicitly
• Last paragraph should outline the paper's structure

Results

• Lead each paragraph with a finding, not a procedure
• Use active voice for your actions, passive for methods
• Present quantitative results with appropriate precision (significant figures)
• Reference figures/tables strategically, not redundantly

Discussion

• Open with the answer to the research question
• Compare with prior work specifically (not "previous studies have shown...")
• Acknowledge limitations honestly but without undermining your work
• End with a forward-looking statement (implications, future directions)

3. Language Standards#

AspectRuleVerb tensePast for methods/results; present for established facts and implicationsVoicePassive for methods; active preferred elsewhereHedgingUse cautious language ("suggests," "may") for novel claims; be direct for established factsJargonDefine on first use; avoid unnecessary acronymsSentence lengthAverage 20-25 words; break any sentence over 35 words

4. Chinese Academic Polish (中文论文润色)#

For Chinese manuscripts targeting domestic core journals (中文核心期刊):

• Remove colloquial expressions and internet slang
• Ensure formal written Chinese (书面语) throughout
• Standardize terminology per national standards (GB/T)
• Tighten logic chains: each paragraph must advance one clear argument
• Avoid redundant modifiers (e.g., 坚决贯彻 → 贯彻)
• Check citation format per target journal (GB/T 7714 or specific style)

Examples#

Before (Title): "A Study on the Effects of Temperature on the Growth of Bacteria in Different Conditions" After: "Temperature-dependent growth modulation of Escherichia coli across nutrient gradients"

Before (Abstract opening): "Bacteria are very important microorganisms that exist everywhere..." After: "Despite the ubiquity of environmental bacteria, the mechanisms governing thermal adaptation remain unclear."

Before (Discussion): "Our results show that the method works well and is better than other methods." After: "Compared with established protocols, the proposed method achieves a 3.2-fold improvement in detection sensitivity while reducing processing time by 40%."

Tips#

• Read the paper aloud — awkward phrasing becomes obvious
• Check every figure caption: a reader should understand the figure without reading the main text
• Verify all references are cited in text and vice versa
• Run a consistency check: same term for same concept throughout
• For Nature/Science submissions, prioritize brevity over comprehensiveness
• Use the journal's recent publications as style references