Young Scholars in Writing: Undergraduate Research in Writing and Rhetoric is an international peer-reviewed journal. We publish original research and theoretical articles by undergraduates of all majors and years on the subjects of rhetoric, writing, writers, discourse, language, and related topics.

For Volume 20, we invite undergraduates to share their research that contributes to the field of rhetoric and writing studies. We encourage potential authors to review the contents of our last several issues to get a sense of the kinds of research topics we publish. Also check out our blog post for more details about what we do and don’t publish. We invite undergraduate researchers to submit one of the three submission types: 

Original Research Article

We publish original research by undergraduates, including first-year students, that systematically explores topics relevant to rhetoric and writing studies using research methods from the humanities (e.g. rhetorical criticism or archival research) and/or the social sciences (e.g. qualitative or quantitative methods). 

*We do not publish literary analysis or pop cultural research*

Article submissions should be 4000-7000 words

Methodological Reflection

 We publish detailed narrative and reflection articles about an undergraduate researcher’s experience using empirical methods. These reflections should draw on literature about research methods from writing studies and other fields. 

Methodological Reflection submissions should be between 2000-5000 words

Comment & Response

We publish pieces that respond to a previously published YSW article. These are pieces that offer a new insight or perspective on the argument or topic of the article. The response should present a clear argument and draw on additional sources to support the new argument or interpretation. 

Comment & Response Submissions should be 1500-3000 words

Submission Guidelines

• Submissions should conform to current MLA Style (9th edition)

• Any images included in a manuscript need to be at least 300 DPI

• Manuscripts should be submitted without name/identifying information

• Submissions must not exceed 8000 words

Timeline

December 15, 2021--Submission Portal Opens

April 15, 2022--Submission Due Date

June 2022--Editorial Decisions Sent

Summer 2022--Selected Authors work with Faculty Advisory Editors

What is it like to publish with Young Scholars in Writing?

Young Scholars in Writing values mentorship. Any author whose submission is accepted for publication contingent on revisions will be paired with a Faculty Advising Editor who will make suggestions for improvement and will guide the writer through the revision process.  

“I remember feeling apprehensive (more so self-conscious) when my professor first introduced the idea [of publishing] to me. So my advice for other undergraduates is to be open to the experience of working with great mentors to revise their papers and prepare them for more work with their research interests.” - Samantha J. Rae, YSW vol. 18 author

Our blog has interviews with all Volume 18 authors where you can learn more about their experience publishing in YSW.

Human Research Participants

We accept 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/or IRB (institutional review board) guidelines.

For Faculty

Interested in encouraging your students to submit to the journal? Would you like your students to have the opportunity to learn more about this opportunity and get their questions answered? The journal's co-editors are available for scheduled Zoom meetings to talk to students in your classes or programs. Contact: youngscholars.editor@gmail.com