Cover letters – what are they good for?

I’ve been desk editor at the Journal of Peace Research for some time, and I’ve seen my fair share of cover letters. I often get the question of whether a cover letter is needed and what should be included, so I thought I’d offer some advice based on my experience.

Disclaimer: This is my hot take, other editors may have different perspectives.

First things first: Do you need a cover letter?

No. While the cover letter is the first thing an editor sees, it won’t influence whether the manuscript gets sent out for review. That decision hinges on fit and contribution, and those should be evident from the manuscript itself. That said, if you (for some reason) would like to include a cover letter (e.g. the journal specifically asks for one), here are some do’s and don’ts:

Don’t:

1. Refer to the wrong journal name. (This happens surprisingly often.) It won’t automatically disqualify your paper, but it doesn’t give the best first impression.
2. Paste your abstract or provide a long summary. I’ll read your paper. I prefer not to read it twice.

Do:

1. State the manuscript title and type of submission (e.g., regular article, research note, review), and give a very brief summary of the article.
2. Most importantly: Explain why the manuscript is a good fit for the journal and how it contributes to ongoing debates. Don’t just write, “The paper contributes to ongoing debates on [topic], which we believe aligns closely with the journal’s scope and readership.” Why? Be specific. Name the subfield or scholarly conversation(s) you're engaging with. Bonus points if you refer to one or two articles previously published in the journal—if they’re genuinely relevant.

But again: the decision to send out for review will never hinge on what is (or isn’t) in the cover letter. If you do attach one, focus on the fit and contribution.

Here’s an example of a cover letter that would not be a waste of time:

To sum up:

Do you need a cover letter? No. The manuscript should speak for itself.

If you still want to include one, what should it say? Show how your submission fits the journal’s scope and contributes to specific scholarly conversations—ideally ones that the journal is actively engaging with.

Best of luck!

• Ida Rudolfsen is Senior Researcher at PRIO and Desk Editor of Journal of Peace Research