Journal of Dance and Embodied Structure requires all manuscripts to be written, formatted, and submitted in a clear and consistent academic style. Authors should ensure that manuscripts are readable, well structured, properly referenced, and suitable for peer review and publication.

The following requirements apply to all submissions unless otherwise specified by the Editorial Office.

1. Language of Publication

The primary language of Journal of Dance and Embodied Structure is English. Manuscripts should be written in clear, coherent, and academically appropriate English.

Authors should ensure that grammar, spelling, terminology, punctuation, and sentence structure are carefully checked before submission. Manuscripts that are difficult to understand due to language problems may be returned to the author before peer review.

2. Academic Writing Style

Manuscripts should use a formal academic writing style. Authors should present arguments clearly, support claims with evidence or analysis, and avoid unsupported generalizations, promotional language, excessive description, or informal expression.

Submissions should demonstrate conceptual clarity, methodological awareness, and appropriate engagement with relevant literature. The writing should be suitable for readers in dance studies, embodied research, performance studies, choreography, movement analysis, and related interdisciplinary fields.

3. English Variety

Authors may use either British English or American English. The chosen variety must be used consistently throughout the manuscript.

Authors should avoid mixing spelling conventions, punctuation styles, or terminology from different English varieties within the same manuscript.

4. Terminology

Authors should use terminology related to dance, embodiment, choreography, movement, performance, somatic practice, cultural analysis, and research methodology accurately and consistently.

Specialized terms, non-English terms, culturally specific concepts, movement vocabularies, choreographic terms, or technical terms should be explained clearly where necessary.

When non-English terms are central to the argument, authors may provide the original term followed by an English translation or explanation.

5. Manuscript File Format

Manuscripts should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. The preferred file format is:

• .docx

Authors should avoid submitting manuscripts in PDF format for initial review unless specifically requested by the Editorial Office.

6. Basic Formatting Requirements

Manuscripts should follow the basic formatting requirements below:

• Font: Times New Roman or another clear academic font;
• Font size: 12-point for the main text;
• Line spacing: double-spaced;
• Margins: standard margins, preferably 2.5 cm or 1 inch on all sides;
• Text alignment: left-aligned or justified, used consistently;
• Page numbers: included where possible;
• Paragraphs: clearly separated and consistently formatted;
• Headings: clearly structured and consistently styled.

7. Heading Structure

Authors should use clear heading levels to organize the manuscript. Headings should reflect the logical structure of the argument and should not be excessively long.

A recommended heading structure is:

• Level 1: Main section heading
• Level 2: Subsection heading
• Level 3: Sub-subsection heading, where necessary

Authors should avoid using too many heading levels. A simple and readable structure is preferred.

8. Title Page and Anonymous Manuscript

Where double-blind peer review is required, authors should prepare an anonymous manuscript file. The anonymous manuscript should not include author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, funding information, or other identifying details.

Author information should be entered separately in the online submission system. A title page with author details may be requested after acceptance or during production.

Authors should also check the document properties and remove identifying metadata where possible.

9. Title, Abstract, and Keywords

The manuscript title should be concise, specific, and informative. It should clearly indicate the subject, focus, or argument of the manuscript.

Each manuscript should include an abstract of approximately 150–250 words. The abstract should summarize the research purpose, method or analytical approach, main argument or findings, and contribution to the field.

Authors should provide 4–6 keywords. Keywords should be specific and useful for indexing, searchability, and reader discovery.

10. Tables

Tables should be numbered consecutively and cited in the main text. Each table should have a clear title and, where necessary, explanatory notes.

Example:

Table 1. Categories Used in the Movement Analysis

Tables should be editable, not inserted only as images, unless the table is part of a visual or archival object being analyzed.

11. Figures and Images

Figures, images, diagrams, movement maps, notation examples, screenshots, photographs, and other visual materials should be numbered consecutively and cited in the main text.

Example:

Figure 1. Spatial pathway in the opening section of the performance.

Authors should provide clear captions for all figures and images. Captions should explain the content of the figure and provide source or permission information where applicable.

Images should be of sufficient quality for online publication. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted or restricted visual materials.

12. Captions and Credits

Captions should be concise but informative. They should identify the image, figure, performance, choreographic work, artist, photographer, archive, source, or copyright holder where applicable.

Example caption:

Figure 2. Rehearsal image from Title of Work, choreographed by Choreographer Name, Year. Photograph by Photographer Name. Used with permission.

Authors must ensure that all third-party materials are properly credited.

13. Multimedia and Supplementary Materials

Manuscripts may refer to video, audio, performance documentation, motion capture files, digital archives, or other supplementary materials where relevant to the research.

Authors should provide stable links or access information where appropriate. Multimedia and supplementary materials must comply with copyright, privacy, consent, and ethical requirements.

The Editorial Office may request additional information about supplementary materials during review or production.

14. Quotations

Short quotations should be incorporated into the main text with quotation marks. Longer quotations may be formatted as block quotations according to the Chicago Manual of Style.

All direct quotations must be accurate and accompanied by appropriate citation information, including page numbers or other stable locators where available.

15. Italics, Emphasis, and Foreign Terms

Italics may be used for titles of books, performances, films, major choreographic works, and other works where required by citation style.

Italics may also be used for non-English terms at first use where appropriate. Authors should avoid excessive use of italics for emphasis.

Foreign terms, culturally specific concepts, or specialized movement vocabularies should be translated or explained where necessary for an international readership.

16. Numbers, Dates, and Units

Numbers, dates, measurements, and units should be presented consistently throughout the manuscript.

Authors should ensure that dates of performances, fieldwork, interviews, archival materials, and publications are accurate and clearly stated where relevant.

Where measurements or technical data are included, standard units should be used consistently.

17. Citation and Reference Formatting

The journal uses the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition. Authors may use either the Notes and Bibliography system or the Author-Date system, provided that the chosen system is used consistently throughout the manuscript.

All cited sources must appear in the bibliography or reference list. All references should be complete, accurate, and formatted consistently.

Authors should consult the journal’s Citation and Reference Style page for detailed requirements.

18. Required Statements

Authors should include the following statements where applicable:

• Author Contribution Statement;
• Funding Statement;
• Conflict of Interest Statement;
• Ethics Statement;
• Data Availability Statement;
• AI Use Statement;
• Acknowledgments, where applicable.

For double-blind peer review, identifying statements may be submitted separately or added after acceptance, according to the instructions of the Editorial Office.

19. Language Editing

Authors are responsible for ensuring that manuscripts meet an acceptable standard of academic English before submission.

Authors who are not confident in the clarity or accuracy of their English may seek professional language editing before submission. The use of language editing services does not guarantee acceptance.

The Editorial Office may request language revision if a manuscript is otherwise suitable but requires substantial improvement in clarity, grammar, or readability.

20. Use of Artificial Intelligence for Language Assistance

Authors may use artificial intelligence tools for limited language editing, grammar checking, or translation assistance, provided that such use is disclosed where applicable and does not compromise the originality, accuracy, or integrity of the manuscript.

Artificial intelligence tools must not be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for all submitted content, including claims, citations, translations, interpretations, and references.

21. File Naming

Authors are encouraged to use clear file names when uploading manuscript files and supplementary materials.

Example:

Manuscript_Anonymous.docx

Figure1_MovementMap.jpg

SupplementaryVideoDescription.docx

File names should not include author names if the file is intended for blind review.

22. Final Formatting Check

Before submission, authors should confirm that:

• The manuscript is written in clear academic English;
• The manuscript is submitted in Microsoft Word format;
• The title, abstract, and keywords are included;
• The text is double-spaced and uses a readable font;
• Headings are clear and consistent;
• Figures and tables are numbered, titled, and cited in the text;
• Captions and permissions are complete where applicable;
• Citations and references follow Chicago style consistently;
• Required statements are included where applicable;
• The manuscript has been anonymized for double-blind peer review where required.

23. Editorial Note

The Editorial Office may return manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s language and formatting requirements. Authors may be asked to revise formatting, improve language clarity, provide missing statements, correct references, supply permissions, or upload higher-quality visual materials before the manuscript proceeds to peer review or production.

Meeting the language and formatting requirements does not guarantee acceptance. All manuscripts are evaluated according to academic quality, originality, relevance, ethical compliance, and contribution to the field.