📄 How to Write an IEEE Journal Paper for Open Access — Overview
Publishing in an IEEE open-access (OA) journal such as IEEE Access or one of the specialised gold OA titles offers rapid dissemination, high visibility, and permanent free access for readers worldwide. Success, however, depends on more than solid research — it requires careful adherence to IEEE formatting, clear technical writing, and an understanding of the OA workflow. This guide walks you through the seven essential steps.
1 Select the Right Open-Access Venue
IEEE offers IEEE Access (multidisciplinary, continuous publication) plus more than thirty topical gold OA journals. Hybrid journals also accept OA articles.
- Match your topic to the journal's scope and check recent issues for fit.
- Note article processing charges (APCs) and any institutional agreements.
- Always download the current author guidelines from the journal's website before you begin writing.
2 Start with the Official IEEE Template
Never format from scratch. Obtain the latest Microsoft Word or LaTeX template specifically provided for the target journal — IEEE Access has its own dedicated template.
- Templates enforce the required two-column, single-spaced layout, correct fonts, margins and heading hierarchy.
- Submit both the source file and a matching PDF.
- File sizes are typically limited to 40 MB.
3 Follow the Standard Scientific Structure (IMRaD)
Most IEEE research articles follow the IMRaD pattern — Introduction, Methods (or Materials and Methods), Results, and Discussion — preceded by Title, Authors, Abstract, and Keywords, and followed by Conclusion, Acknowledgments, References, and Author Biographies.
| Section | Word Count / Notes | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 10–15 words ideal | Concise, informative, searchable — avoid abbreviations unless universally known. |
| Abstract | 150–250 words | Summarise motivation, methods, key results and significance. Write it last. |
| Introduction | 500–800 words | Establish context, identify the research gap, state objectives and outline contributions. |
| Methods | Variable | Provide enough detail for reproducibility; cite prior work for established techniques. |
| Results | Variable | Present findings objectively with tables, figures and statistics — avoid interpretation here. |
| Discussion & Conclusion | Variable | Interpret results, compare with literature, acknowledge limitations and state impact. |
| References | 25–60+ typical | IEEE bracketed style [1], [2] in order of appearance. |
| Author Biographies | ~100 words each | Required for IEEE Access and many OA titles. |
4 Write Clear, Correct Technical English
IEEE Access and other OA journals reject manuscripts with poor grammar or unclear expression.
- Prefer active voice, short declarative sentences and precise terminology.
- Use the IEEE Editorial Style Manual for capitalisation, abbreviations, units and equation formatting.
- Tools such as Paperpal Preflight (offered by IEEE Access) can flag grammar and style issues before submission.
5 Prepare High-Quality Figures, Tables & Equations
- Number figures and tables consecutively and cite them in the text.
- Supply high-resolution images (preferably vector or ≥300 dpi).
- Write informative captions for every figure and table.
- Equations should be numbered and properly typeset; follow the IEEE Mathematics Guide.
- Avoid placing large tables or figures that disrupt the two-column flow.
6 Cite Accurately and Uphold Integrity
- Use the IEEE reference style — bracketed numbers in order of appearance.
- Every claim that is not common knowledge needs a citation.
- IEEE scans every submission for plagiarism and self-plagiarism; reuse of your own prior text must be properly attributed and minimised.
- Disclose conflicts of interest and funding sources.
- Short biographies of all authors are required for IEEE Access and many OA titles.
7 Final Checks Before Submission
Verify all of the following before you hit Submit:
Rapid peer review is a hallmark of many IEEE OA journals — respond promptly and thoroughly to reviewer comments.
📌 Closing Thoughts
Writing for an IEEE open-access journal rewards clarity, rigour and attention to detail. By selecting the right venue, using the official template, structuring your narrative logically, polishing the language and maintaining the highest ethical standards, you maximise the chance that your research will be accepted and widely read.
Start early, revise ruthlessly, and treat the submission guidelines as non-negotiable requirements rather than suggestions.
IEEE Journal Paper Writing Support — Bangalore
Our journal publication support team helps researchers and engineering students with IEEE paper writing, formatting, Turnitin-clean reports, LaTeX/Word template compliance and response-to-reviewers for IEEE Access, IEEE Transactions and other OA journals.
IEEE Paper Writing Guide
IEEE Access Template
IMRaD Structure
Citation & References
Submission & Review
OA Publication Support
Figures & Tables Prep
Reviewer Response Help
Technical English Polish
Plagiarism Check