The cover letter is not the title page as many authors think. The title page includes only the manuscript title, the author list, and the corresponding author’s contact information. The cover letter should:

highlight the paper’s findings;
why it falls within the journal’s scope;
why it is different than the previous publications;
and why it will be of interest to the readers of the journal.

Submitting the cover letter is not mandatory in most journals; however, it is highly recommended. Why…?

Why Submitting a Cover Letter Is Highly Recommended?

It is highly recommended since it reduces the percentage of desk rejection. When the Editors get a brief explanation from the authors about the findings and why it is introducing novel contribution to the readers of the journal, they tend to serious consideration for the manuscript and send it to be peer-reviewed.

What Is Desk Rejection?

Desk rejection is an immediate rejection of the submission before sending it out for review. It is usually made by the Editor-in-Chief or the journal editorial office.

What Should Be Included in the Cover Letter?

An effective cover letter should include:

Manuscript Title
Contact information of the corresponding author
A brief description of the findings
A paragraph explaining why the work is appropriate for the journal and its target audience.
Ethical approval
Declaration of the Conflict of interest
A confirmation that all authors approved the submission to the journal.
A statement to confirm that the manuscript is not published or under consideration in any other journals.
If the paper was previously rejected by the same journal, authors can explain how they addressed the Editor and reviewers’ comments to improve the manuscript.

To conclude, the cover letter is a good opportunity for you to represent your manuscript. A well-written, appealing cover letter may be a key factor in your manuscript being given serious consideration.

Cover Letter Template

Cover Letter Checklist

Resources and Further Readings

Write a Persuasive Cover Letter (for Your Research Paper Submission) | Tomorrow’s Professor Postings n.d. https://tomprof.stanford.edu/posting/1566 (accessed June 22, 2021).
Craig JB. Desk Rejection: How to Avoid Being Hit by a Returning Boomerang. Family Business Review 2010;23:306–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486510386024.