1. Ask your project advisor if he or she thinks your work is publishable, and, if so, in what publication.

2. Look at copies of journals that may be possible outlets for your work. Does your article fall within the scope of what a particular journal publishes? Has anything already been published that covers the same ground you cover? Do you think your work is important enough to be published? Is it technically sound?

3. Read editors' comments and requirements, sometimes found in the front sections of journals, along with statements of editorial policy that describe the specific guidelines you should follow for style and format.

4. Solicit readers' comments before you submit your article. Bring a draft to the Writing Center for a critique. When you give your article draft to your advisor to read, explain what your plans for publication, and ask for feedback and recommendations. Carefully consider your advisor's suggestions before submitting your article to a journal. Whenever you submit an article, be sure it's your best work; proofread carefully, and keep a copy. Check editorial policy to see if you should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) when you submit your article.

5. If your article is rejected, don't be discouraged; it's rare for an article to be acclended as it's first submitted. If the editor provides critical feedback, learn what you can from it. The editor may give you the option of making major or minor revisions and then resubmitting your article. If your article is rejected without the option to revise and resubmit, but you still think it has potential, you might make whatever revisions seem appropriate and submit your article to another journal (again consulting the journal itself to be sure it's an appropriate outlet for your work).