Starting February 2026, the journal Cadernos de Linguística (Cad_Lin) is introducing an important update to its manuscript submission process: the mandatory inclusion of a Cover Letter addressed to the editorial team.
What is this letter and why does it matter?
Far from being a simple formality, the Cover Letter is designed to serve as a tool for editorial contextualization. In a brief and objective text—ideally just one page long—the corresponding author will present their research credentials directly to the editorial board.
For our editorial workflow, this change is a major step forward. The letter will streamline the initial screening process, allowing the team to quickly identify the core research problem, the gap the text addresses, and its actual contribution to the field. Furthermore, it provides the perfect space to contextualize the research's origins (such as whether it stems from a thesis, dissertation, or funded project) and to attest to the material's originality.
Another highlight is its commitment to transparency. The letter will act as a quick guide for the editors to verify the submission's alignment with Open Science practices and the reproducibility criteria required by the journal. In practice, this brings more agility, clarity, and security for both authors and the journal, ensuring that the manuscript is evaluated right from the start with all the context it deserves.
How to prepare yours?
The letter should follow a structure that covers the submission's identification, its contribution to the field, the research context, and its alignment with Open Science principles.
To help you prepare your document with ease and confidence, we have provided a comprehensive guide detailing exactly what to include and the recommended structure.
Read all the guidelines and learn more on our official page:
https://cadernos.abralin.org/index.php/cadernos/cover
Stay tuned to the new rules and get your submission ready!
