28 How to write an article in LaTeX

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of writing an article in LaTeX, specifically using the Elsevier template. LaTeX is a powerful typesetting system widely used for academic writing, and this step-by-step guide is designed to help you format your manuscript correctly and efficiently.

Step 1: Download the Elsevier Template

• Visit the provided link to download the Elsevier template for LaTeX manuscripts.
• Ensure you have a working LaTeX distribution (like TeX Live or MikTeX) installed on your computer.

Step 2: Understand the Elsevier Article Class

• The elsarticle class is essential for formatting your manuscript.
• This class helps structure the front matter of your article and is included in most TeX distributions.
• Additional class files for single-column and double-column formats are available if needed. They can be downloaded from CTAN.

Step 3: Set Up Your Document

• Start your LaTeX document with the following code to use the elsarticle class:

\documentclass[preprint,12pt]{elsarticle}

• This sets the document type as a preprint, and you can adjust the font size as required.

Step 4: Include Necessary Packages

• Include packages commonly used in LaTeX documents at the beginning of your file. For example:

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{hyperref}

• These packages help with mathematics formatting, including graphics, and creating hyperlinks.

Step 5: Write the Title

• Add the title of your article using the following command:

\title{Your Article Title Here}

• Ensure the title is clear and concise, reflecting the content of your paper.

Step 6: Create the Abstract

• Write your abstract with the following command:

\begin{abstract}
Your abstract goes here. It should summarize the key points of your article.
\end{abstract}

• Keep it brief, typically around 150-250 words.

Step 7: Add Keywords

• Use the \keywords command to specify keywords relevant to your article:

\keywords{Keyword1, Keyword2, Keyword3}

• Choose keywords that enhance the discoverability of your article.

Step 8: Structure Your Article Sections

• Use sections to organize your content. Here’s how to create a section and subsections:

\section{Introduction}
Your introduction text goes here.

\subsection{Subsection Title}
Your subsection text goes here.

• Aim for a logical flow of information.

Step 9: Manage Bibliography

• Use BibTeX for managing references efficiently. Include the following in your document:

\bibliographystyle{elsarticle-num}
\bibliography{yourbibliographyfile}

• Ensure that you create a .bib file named yourbibliographyfile.bib containing your references in BibTeX format.

Step 10: Compile Your Document

• Compile your document using a LaTeX editor (like Overleaf, TeXShop, or TeXworks).
• Check for errors and ensure the formatting aligns with the Elsevier guidelines.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to write an article in LaTeX using the Elsevier template. Key steps included downloading the template, setting up your document structure, and managing your bibliography. As you proceed, refer to the Elsevier documentation for specific formatting requirements related to your target journal. Happy writing!