Use this workflow when results are available and you need a first draft or a clearer discussion. Relevant skills include writing-plan, introduction, methods, results, discussion and abstract. Start with manuscript-diagnose if an existing draft needs assessment before editing.
Prepare the inputs
Provide the research question, actual study procedures, statistical outputs, figure versions, verified references and journal or thesis requirements. A results table can support planning; it cannot establish unknown methods or missing study facts.
1. Map the argument
Organize the confirmed question, main findings and supporting evidence. Plan the introduction, results and discussion paragraph by paragraph. Flag unsupported claims and do not draft the full paper yet.
Check that primary and exploratory findings remain distinct. Keep conclusions within the study design's limits; observational association does not establish a causal mechanism.
2. Draft individual sections
Methods follow actual execution records; results follow verified outputs. The discussion covers findings, comparison with prior evidence, interpretation, applicability and limitations. Prepare the title, abstract and keywords after the body is stable.
Draft the discussion first. Give each paragraph a clear role, preserve the result values and explain agreement or disagreement with available literature. List unverified citations as unresolved work.
3. Check the draft and hand it over
Confirm that the body, tables, figures and abstract use the same result version. Check numerical and citation consistency, then review whether evidence supports the important claims. Deliver the draft with revision reasons and unresolved questions for supervisor or collaborator review.
| Deliverable | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Argument map | Agree on the manuscript's main line |
| Section drafts | Review and revise paragraph by paragraph |
| Claim–evidence mapping | Trace the basis of important statements |
| Missing-input list | Separate completed work from open questions |
Teaching example
The statin cohort argument-map example demonstrates the progression from question to discussion plan. It is a synthetic example in Chinese, not a publication outcome.
Continue with medical translation or reviewer responses. Browse writing skills