Writing Guidelines
How to Write a Great Break
A Break is a short, engaging summary of a scientific paper — written by the scientist, for the public. Here's everything you need to know to write yours.
Format & Structure
Length
600–1,000 words (aim for ~800). Short enough to read in 4 minutes, long enough to tell the full story.
Abstract
Up to 400 characters. This draws readers in — make it compelling and leave technical details for the main text.
Language
English or French. Write as if explaining to an educated non-specialist — clear, engaging, no jargon.
Structure
No rigid template, but most good Breaks follow: general context → introduction to the study → methodology (brief) → results → conclusions and future perspectives.
Style Guide
Lead With Impact
Open with why this research matters to people's lives. Save the methodology for the middle.
One Idea Per Sentence
Short, clear sentences. Break complex ideas into digestible steps. If a sentence has a semicolon, it's probably two sentences.
Show, Don't Tell
Use analogies, examples, and concrete images. "The protein folds like origami" beats "the protein undergoes conformational change."
Cite Accessibly
Reference your original paper with a DOI link. Avoid citing dozens of other papers — this isn't a review article.
Editorial Process
Preliminary Check
The editor-in-chief checks your submission for plagiarism, language quality, jargon level, and length. If adjustments are needed, you'll receive constructive feedback.
Lay-Peer Editing
A managing editor (senior scientist) and a review operations editor — typically a PhD student trained in science communication — work collaboratively with you to refine your Break. Revision usually takes around 30 days.
Publication
After final approval, your Break is published with its own DOI, categorized by discipline, and freely available to the world. You can suggest last corrections before it goes live.