Book chapter or journal article?
Willy A Renandya, 25 April 2025
Which one would you go for: writing a book chapter or a journal article? This is not an easy question as the two types of writing serve different purposes, and each comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. But let me try to explain the similarities and differences between the two in greater detail so you can make a more informed decision.
Nature of a Book Chapter
A book chapter is typically a non-empirical piece of work that summarizes past research or presents an opinion piece (also known as a conceptual paper) that examines an important issue in language education or applied linguistics. It often provides a broader perspective on a topic, allowing the writer to explore ideas in a less constrained format than a journal article.
For example, consider a chapter I co-authored with Prof Richard Day entitled “The primacy of extensive reading and listening.” In this chapter, we put forth compelling arguments that language teachers should seriously consider including extensive reading and listening in their teaching practices due to the numerous benefits these activities bring to language learning. The tone of such chapters tends to be reflective, synthesizing existing knowledge while offering new insights or interpretations.
Nature of a Journal Article
On the other hand, a journal article is usually (but not always) an empirical study involving some quantitative and/or qualitative data collected to address an important research question. These articles are grounded in original research and aim to contribute new findings to the field.
An example of an empirical journal article that I co-authored with my graduate student is Efficacy of written corrective feedback in writing instruction: A meta-analysis , which appeared in TESL-EJ. This type of writing requires a rigorous methodology, clear presentation of results, and discussion of implications based on evidence.
While conceptual, non-empirical articles do get published in journals, their numbers tend to be relatively small compared to empirical studies. However, there are exceptions; certain specialized journals focus exclusively on theoretical or conceptual contributions. Two prominent examples in the fields of ELT (English Language Teaching) or Applied Linguistics are Annual Review of Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching , both of which prioritize non-empirical papers.
Length and Format
When it comes to length, book chapters and journal articles aren’t drastically different. The length of a book chapter varies depending on the guidelines provided by the editor of the book, who generally adheres to the publisher’s requirements.
Typically, a book chapter ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 words, though this can vary slightly depending on the scope of the project. Similarly, the average length of a journal article falls within this range, although shorter or longer formats may exist depending on the journal’s specific guidelines.
The Review Process
The review process for a book chapter is generally less stringent than that for a journal article. This difference arises because contributors to edited volumes are often invited or selected from a smaller pool of potential writers, many of whom have already established expertise in the subject matter. As a result, there’s a higher likelihood that your chapter will be accepted for publication in the final edited volume.
In contrast, journals, especially top-tier ones, attract a vast number of submissions from academics around the world. For instance, prestigious journals like TESOL Quarterly , ELT Journal , RELC Journal , and Journal of AsiaTEFL receive hundreds of manuscripts annually, leading to rejection rates as high as 90% or even 95%. Such competitive environments mean that only the most rigorously researched and well-written pieces make it through the peer-review process.
Visibility and Citability
Another factor to consider is visibility and citability. Generally speaking, a book chapter is less visible than a journal article. Because books are often marketed differently and accessed primarily through libraries or academic institutions, they don’t always reach as wide an audience as journal articles, particularly those published in high-impact journals. Consequently, book chapters are often not cited as frequently as journal articles.
A journal article, especially if it appears in Scopus- or SSCI-indexed journals, has a better chance of being widely read and referenced. Researchers looking for cutting-edge developments in their field are more likely to turn to journals first, given their faster publication cycles and broader dissemination channels.
Time to Publication
Finally, how long does it take to get a book chapter or journal article published? The timeline can vary significantly but typically spans anywhere from 12 to 18 months—or sometimes longer. For book chapters, delays often stem from coordinating multiple authors, editing, formatting, and ensuring consistency across all contributions before the entire volume goes to press.
Journal articles, meanwhile, must navigate the peer-review process, revisions, and eventual acceptance before moving into production. Some journals now adopt a continuous publishing model, where accepted manuscripts are published online as advance articles before being assigned to a specific issue. This approach helps reduce overall publication time, making it possible for researchers to share their findings sooner.
Conclusion
Writing a book chapter might suit you if you’re interested in contributing to a larger conversation about a particular theme or topic without the pressure of conducting original research. It offers flexibility in terms of style and depth, allowing you to synthesize existing literature and present novel viewpoints.
On the other hand, if your goal is to produce original research with measurable outcomes, then crafting a journal article could be more appropriate. Empirical studies published in reputable journals carry significant weight in academia, enhancing your profile as a researcher and increasing the chances of your work being cited by others.
The choice depends on your goals, resources, and preferences. Are you aiming to influence practice by summarizing key ideas for educators? Or are you seeking to advance theory and knowledge through systematic investigation? Also, consider what stage you’re at in your career, the kind of impact you want to achieve, and the effort you’re willing to invest. Both forms of writing play vital roles in advancing scholarship, and neither is inherently superior to the other; they simply serve different functions.
I will leave it to you to ponder on the question I posed in the title above: Book Chapter or Journal Article?.
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