Journal of Basic Writing banner with portraits of writers and educators

Submit to the Journal

Journal of Basic Writing welcomes submissions that address basic writing pedagogy, theory, and research. Articles must clearly address basic writing and/or must situate settings of instruction or institutional agency in explicit relation to basic writing concerns.

Submission Guidelines

Manuscript Length: 25–30 pages (7,500–9,000 words) including Works Cited
Format: Follow current MLA guidelines
File Type: Submit as Word document or Google Docs link

Manuscript Requirements

Cover Page: Include author name(s), institutional affiliations, contact information, and a brief bio
Second Page: Title only (no author information), a 250–300 word abstract, and 5–7 keywords
Notes: Use minimal endnotes
Student Work: Excerpts from student writing require written permission and IRB documentation

Preferred Topics & Approaches

The journal welcomes submissions that employ a variety of methodological and theoretical frameworks, including:

  • Antiracist and social justice frameworks
  • Second-language writing theory
  • Ethnographic and qualitative methods
  • Digital composing and multimodal pedagogy
  • Writing center practice and research
  • Translingual approaches

Review Process

Authors will receive a confirmation of receipt, followed by notification about whether the submission will be sent for peer review. The review process typically takes 6–8 weeks.

Publication Schedule: The journal publishes spring and fall issues annually with support from the CUNY Office of Academic Affairs.

Guest-Edited Issues

Proposals for guest-edited special issues are welcome. Please contact the editors at jbwcuny@gmail.com to discuss your proposal.