Welcome to the Style Guide for "Institute Insights", a publication platform provided by the Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers (The Institute). This guide is designed to assist authors in writing articles that enrich the discourse on financial crime prevention. 

Purpose of the Style Guide

The purpose of this Style Guide is to help you effectively communicate your insights while maintaining the high standards our community expects. We believe these guidelines will not only make your writing process smoother but also enhance the impact of your contributions.

Overview of Institute Insights and its Objectives

Institute Insights is intended as a platform for thought leadership, research dissemination, and the sharing of best practices in financial crime prevention. Our articles aim to:

  • Provide valuable, actionable insights into the prevention, detection, and investigation of financial crimes.
  • Foster a deeper understanding of current trends, regulatory changes, and challenges facing professionals in the field.
  • Encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange among practitioners, academics, and other stakeholders committed to combating financial crime.

Contributions to Institute Insights play a role in advancing the financial crime prevention profession. By sharing expert knowledge, practical experiences, and innovative solutions, authors help equip their peers with the tools and understanding necessary to effectively combat financial crimes. Such contributions enhance the professional development of our members and uphold the Institute's mission to lead, inform, and support the fight against financial crime.

In contributing to Institute Insights, authors gain the opportunity to showcase their expertise, contribute to the collective knowledge base, and influence the direction of financial crime prevention strategies in the private sector. It is through their insightful contributions that we can continue to elevate the standards of our profession and make a meaningful impact in safeguarding the financial systems.

Writing Style and Tone

Achieving a balance between professional insight and readability is key. Our aim is to foster a publication that is both authoritative and accessible, catering to professionals across a wide spectrum of financial crime prevention. 

Professional, Informative Tone

  • Professionalism: Articles should maintain a professional tone. Avoid colloquialisms and overly casual language that might undermine the article's credibility.
  • Objectivity: Strive for objectivity in your writing. Present facts, figures, and arguments supported by evidence and research. Avoid bias and ensure that your conclusions are reasoned and balanced.

Clarity and Conciseness

  • Simplicity: Use clear and straightforward language to convey your ideas. Avoid unnecessary complexity that could alienate readers unfamiliar with specific jargon or technical terms.
  • Conciseness: Be concise but comprehensive. Aim to express your ideas and insights succinctly, without sacrificing depth or detail necessary for the reader's understanding. Using many short sentences is better than using one long sentence. 

Jargon and Technical Terms

  • Explanation: When using technical terms or industry-specific jargon, provide a brief explanation or definition upon first use. This practice ensures that all readers, regardless of their level of expertise, can follow the discussion.
  • Balance: While it is important to use the correct technical terminology for precision, balance this with the need for accessibility. The goal is to educate and inform a broad audience without oversimplification.

Engagement and Accessibility

  • Engaging Content: While maintaining professionalism, aim to engage your readers. Use real-world examples, case studies, or anecdotes where appropriate to illustrate points and bring the topic to life. Think about the "what's new?" and "so what?" questions: why should readers spend their time reading the article?
  • Accessibility: Structure your article in a way that makes it accessible to readers with varying levels of expertise. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to break the text into manageable sections.

Article Structure and Formatting

This section provides guidance on structuring your article for "Institute Insights", ensuring it is both informative and reader-friendly.

Introduction

  • Opening: Begin with an engaging introduction that outlines the main topic or issue your article will address. Set the context and highlight the importance of the subject matter to capture the reader's interest.
  • Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of the article and what the reader can expect to learn or gain by reading it.

Main Body

  • Headings and Subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to organize the content logically. This not only aids in readability but also helps readers navigate the article more effectively.
  • Paragraphs: Keep paragraphs short and focused. Each paragraph should cover a single idea or point, supporting the overall argument or narrative of the article.
  • Evidence and Examples: Support your arguments with evidence, data, and real-life examples. Cite sources where necessary to add credibility and allow readers to explore topics further.

Practical Element

  • Actionable Insights: Provide practical tips, strategies, or advice that readers can apply in their professional lives. Highlight best practices, innovative approaches, or lessons learned from real-world experiences.
  • Case Studies: Where possible, incorporate case studies or scenarios to demonstrate the application of concepts in a practical context. This helps to ground theoretical discussions in reality.

Conclusion

  • Summary: Summarise the key points made in the article, reinforcing the main insights and takeaways for the reader.
  • Call to Action: Conclude with a call to action or thoughts on future developments. Encourage readers to reflect on how they can apply the knowledge gained in their own work.

Formatting Guidelines

  • Length: Aim for 800 to 1,200 words, ensuring your article is comprehensive yet concise.
  • References: Relevant sources should be cited and links to the source provided. 
  • Images and Figures: We are only able to include one image per publication.

Submission Process

This section outlines the steps authors should follow when submitting their articles to Institute Insights:

Preparing Your Submission

  • Draft Preparation: Please ensure your article meets the criteria outlined in this Style Guide. Articles should be insightful, well-researched, and reflect a high standard of professional writing in British English.
  • Author Bio: Include a brief bio (50-70 words) with your submission, highlighting your professional background and any specific expertise relevant to your article topic.
  • Contact Information: Provide your full name, email address, and any other contact information requested to facilitate communication regarding your submission.

Submission Guidelines

  • Format: Submit your article as a Word document (.doc or .docx). Please Ensure the document is clearly labelled with your name and the article title.
  • Email Submission: Send your article to [email protected]. Please use a subject line that clearly indicates the submission for Institute Insights.
  • Acknowledgement of Receipt: Expect an email acknowledging receipt of your submission within 48 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, please follow up to ensure your submission was received.

Review and Feedback

  • Editorial Review: Your article will undergo a review process for adherence to our standards and relevance to our audience. This process typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • Feedback: We occasionally ask authors to make small changes to their submissions, and will provide specific feedback. Authors are encouraged to revise their submissions accordingly and resubmit by email.
  • Acceptance: Once your article meets all criteria, you will receive an acceptance notification, including the expected publication date and any next steps.

Publication

  • Final Checks: Prior to publication, we may perform final edits for style, clarity, or length. We will consult you on any significant changes.
  • Promotion: Upon publication, articles will be promoted through the Institute's social channels, including newsletters, LinkedIn, and our website. Authors are encouraged to share their published work within their networks.
  • Feedback and Engagement: We encourage authors to engage with comments or questions from readers, fostering a dialogue around the article's content.

Ethical Considerations and Copyright

  • Originality: All submissions must be the original work of the author and not previously published elsewhere.
  • Plagiarism: The Institute adheres to strict policies against plagiarism. Articles found to be plagiarized will be rejected, or subsequently deleted.
  • Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any material conflicts of interest related to their submission.
  • Copyright: By submitting an article, authors grant the Institute the right to publish and distribute the work in Institute Insights and other related platforms. Authors retain copyright of their work but are encouraged to refer to the published article in the Institute's platforms for future use.


While we acknowledge that publication raise the author's and their company's profiles, we would like to encourage writers not to see or use Institute Insights as a marketing tool for products and services. Articles overly focussed on the author's products or services will likely be declined.

The Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers trading as The Institute. © Copyright Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers. All rights reserved.
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