Paper Submission Checklist:
Avoid Formatting Errors Before You Submit

Formatting mistakes are one of the most common reasons papers lose points and get desk-rejected.

Use this checklist to catch errors before submission.

Citation & Reference Check

  • All in-text citations appear in the reference list
  • Reference style matches journal requirements
  • Author names are formatted consistently
  • Journal titles properly italicized
  • DOI links included where required
Formatr automatically scans your paper and highlights citation and reference list errors.
Formatting & Structure
  • Consistent font
  • Heading hierarchy correct
  • Margins correct
  • Line spacing correct
  • Page numbers included
Run a free formatting error report with Formatr.
Quotations & Language
  • Quotation marks consistent
  • Block quote formatting correct
  • Inclusive language check
  • US vs UK spelling consistency
Journal Specific Requirements
  • Title page format
  • Abstract word limits
  • Keywords included
  • Reference style compliance
Want to check your paper automatically?
Upload your document to Formatr and download a free formatting error summary report.
Submission Checklist