Writing Guidelines

How to Write a Great Break

Writing for non-specialists is not an exercise in simplifying the science, but in deciding what matters most. These guidelines will help you shape a focused narrative that preserves nuance, makes your reasoning visible and gives readers a clear path through your research.

Format & Structure

Length

600–1,000 words (aim for ~800). Enough space to develop one clear narrative while remaining focused.

Abstract

Up to 400 characters. State the question, central finding and why it matters in language that can stand on its own.

Language

English or French. Choose the language in which you can convey the science most precisely.

Structure

There is no fixed template. Organise the article around one clear line of reasoning rather than mirroring the paper.

Build Your Break

A Break follows the logic a reader needs, not the order of a research paper. Use these five questions as a flexible framework for its narrative.

01
Why Does This Question Matter?
Establish its scientific, conceptual or societal relevance. An immediate practical application is not required.
02
What Was Not Yet Known?
Define the gap the research set out to address, without turning the introduction into a literature review.
03
How Was It Investigated?
Explain the approach, methods and scale readers need to understand how the evidence was produced and interpreted.
04
What Does the Evidence Show?
Present the central finding with the numbers, uncertainty and limitations that shape its meaning. Distinguish observation from interpretation.
05
What Changes — and What Remains Open?
Close with what the study clarifies, what it suggests and which questions remain unresolved.

Writing With Clarity

Clear writing helps readers outside your field follow the science without losing its precision.

Write Beyond Your Field

Use familiar language and introduce essential technical terms in context. Aim for accessibility, not simplification: the scientific meaning should remain intact.

Keep the Prose Direct

Let each sentence advance one idea, and vary sentence length to maintain a natural rhythm. Use active voice when it makes the actors, choices or results clearer.

Make Complexity Concrete

Use examples, comparisons and concrete images when they clarify the science. A good analogy supports understanding without replacing the underlying concept or overstating the similarity.

Attribute Clearly

Link to the original paper and attribute findings to the appropriate research team. Add only the references readers need to understand a claim or explore it further.

Before You Submit

A final review helps your Break communicate its central message clearly and confidently.

Bring Your Scientific Perspective

Writing About Your Own Research

When the study is yours, you can write in the first person. “We found…”, “Our results suggest…” and “We wanted to understand…” make your role visible and bring readers closer to the research process. Use that direct voice to share the choices, uncertainties and significance that the research team is best placed to convey.

Sharing Research by Another Team

When the study comes from another team, contribute your perspective as a scientist and guide. Introduce the study and its authors, attribute the findings to them, and show readers why you consider the work significant, surprising or worth discussing. Your informed perspective is part of the value of the Break.

Final Check

The central question and finding are clear after one reading.
Technical terms and acronyms are explained on first use.
Every claim is traceable to the original study.
Numbers, uncertainty and relevant limitations retain their meaning.
The title and abstract make sense beyond the field.

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