Taylor & Francis TASC Word Template Guide

The Taylor & Francis TASC Word Template is an essential tool for researchers and academics preparing manuscripts for submission to journals published by Taylor & Francis. This comprehensive guide provides information on how to effectively use the TASC (Taylor & Francis Standard) Word template to ensure your manuscript meets publisher formatting requirements.

Overview of TASC Word Template

The TASC Word Template provides standardized formatting for manuscripts submitted to Taylor & Francis journals. Designed to streamline the submission process, this template helps authors comply with publisher requirements while focusing on the content quality of their research. The template is compatible with Microsoft Word and comes with predefined styles that align with academic publishing standards.

By using the TASC Word Template, authors can ensure their manuscripts adhere to consistent formatting guidelines, which helps editors and reviewers focus on content rather than formatting issues. The template is particularly beneficial for authors submitting to multiple Taylor & Francis journals, as it reduces the need to learn different formatting requirements for each publication.

Downloading and Installing the Template

The TASC Word Template is available for download from the Taylor & Francis website. To access the template:

1. Visit the Taylor & Francis Author Services website
2. Navigate to the author resources section
3. Locate the Templates section
4. Download the TASC Word Template for your document type (article, review, etc.)
5. Save the template to your computer for easy access

The template is designed to work with Microsoft Word 2007 and later versions. Once downloaded, simply double-click the file to open it in Word and begin working on your manuscript.

Template Structure and Elements

The TASC Word Template contains several predetermined sections and elements that align with standard academic manuscript requirements:

Title Page

The title page includes fields for your manuscript title, author names and affiliations, corresponding author information, abstract, keywords, and other essential metadata. Follow the template placeholders to ensure all required information is included.

Abstract and Keywords

The template provides dedicated sections for the abstract and keywords. Most Taylor & Francis journals require abstracts between 150-250 words and 4-6 keywords, though specific requirements may vary by journal.

Main Text Sections

The main body of your manuscript follows standard academic structure including:

• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments
• References

Formatting Guidelines

Font and Typography

The TASC Template uses Times New Roman 12-point font for the main text, which is the standard for most academic publications. Headings are formatted using built-in Word styles with larger font sizes and bold text as appropriate.

Margins and Spacing

The template follows standard academic margins:

• Top and bottom margins: 1 inch
• Left and right margins: 1 inch
• Line spacing: Double-spaced
• Paragraph spacing: 6 points after each paragraph

Section Headings

Use the template's predefined heading styles for section headings:

• Heading 1 for major sections (Introduction, Methods, etc.)
• Heading 2 for subsections
• Heading 3 for sub-subsections

Tables and Figures

The template includes specific formatting for tables and figures:

• Tables should be placed at the end of the document or within the main text where they are first referenced
• Each table should have a descriptive caption (above the table)
• Figures should also be placed at the end of the document or within the main text
• Each figure requires a caption (below the figure)
• Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively as they appear in the text

Citation and Reference Style

The TASC Template supports several standard citation and reference styles, including Harvard, APA, Chicago, and Vancouver. The style you use should match the specific requirements of the journal to which you are submitting.

In-text Citations

Follow the guidelines for your chosen citation style when including references within the text:

• Harvard style: (Smith, 2019) or (Smith and Jones, 2020)
• APA style: (Smith, 2019) or (Smith & Jones, 2020)
• Vancouver style: (1) or (1,2)
• Chicago style: (Smith 2019) or (Smith and Jones 2020)

Reference List

Include a complete reference list at the end of your manuscript, formatted according to your chosen citation style. The template includes a dedicated References section with appropriate formatting.

Additional Features and Guidelines

Equations

For mathematical equations, the template supports both the built-in Word equation editor and external tools like MathType. Center equations with appropriate numbering when necessary.

Supplementary Materials

Many Taylor & Francis journals accept supplementary materials to accompany your manuscript. The template includes guidance on how to reference these materials within your text and how to prepare them for submission.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The template includes a section for declaring any conflicts of interest or financial disclosures related to your research. This is now a standard requirement for many academic publications.

Data Availability Statement

Taylor & Francis increasingly requires authors to include a statement about the availability of data supporting their research. The template provides a dedicated section for this statement.

Tips for Using the Template Effectively

• Save a copy: Always work from a copy of the original template to preserve the original formatting.
• Use styles consistently: Apply the template's styles rather than manually formatting text.
• Check journal-specific requirements: Review the target journal's instructions for authors as some may have specific requirements that differ from the standard template.
• Proofread carefully: Always proofread your final manuscript before submission.
• Test links: If including links to external resources, verify they are working correctly.
• Use built-in tools: Take advantage of Word's spelling and grammar checking tools before finalizing your document.
• Check image resolution: Ensure all figures and images meet the minimum resolution requirements (usually 300 DPI for print publications).

Common Issues and Solutions

Many authors encounter similar issues when working with the TASC Word Template:

Issue	Solution
Incorrect heading formatting	Apply the correct heading style from the Styles pane instead of manual formatting
References not appearing correctly	Ensure you're using the correct citation style and have properly formatted your reference list
Tables or figures not appearing in the right location	Follow the template's guidelines for placement of tables and figures
Section breaks causing formatting issues	Use the template's predefined section breaks rather than creating your own
Font inconsistencies	Select all text and apply the Normal style, then reapply specific styles to headings and other elements
Page numbering not updating correctly	Check that section breaks are properly configured and link to previous sections as needed

Taylor & Francis Submission Process

Using the TASC Word Template is only one part of the manuscript submission process. Taylor & Francis uses an online submission system called ScholarOne Manuscripts. Once your manuscript is properly formatted using the template:

1. Create an account in the ScholarOne Manuscripts system for the target journal
2. Prepare all required files including your formatted manuscript, figures, tables, and supplementary materials
3. Gather author information and any required declarations
4. Complete the online submission form following the journal's instructions
5. Upload your manuscript and associated files
6. Review your submission carefully before finalizing

Conclusion

The Taylor & Francis TASC Word Template provides a standardized framework for preparing manuscripts that meet the publisher's formatting requirements. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, authors can ensure their submissions appear professional, consistent with publication standards, and ready for efficient processing through the peer review system.

Remember that while formatting is important, the primary focus should always remain on the quality of your research and its presentation. The TASC Template helps address formatting concerns so you can concentrate on developing high-quality content that contributes to your field of study.