Journal Adaptation Workflow

This reference defines the step-by-step process for adapting a paper from one venue to another. The adapt module uses this workflow to guide systematic format conversion.

Workflow Overview

Step 1: Identify Source and Target Formats

1. Detect current format from document preamble:
   • \documentclass{IEEEtran} → IEEE
   • \documentclass{acmart} → ACM
   • \documentclass[conference]{...} → Conference paper
   • Typst: check #import or template usage
2. Accept target format from user:
   • User-provided journal guide takes highest priority
   • If no guide provided, use known venue rules from VENUES.md
   • If target venue is unknown, ask the user to provide the submission guidelines

Step 2: Generate Diff Checklist

Compare source and target requirements across these dimensions:

2a. Reference Format

• Citation style change (IEEE → APA, etc.)
• Cross-reference CITATION_STYLES.md for exact rules
• BibTeX style file change (\bibliographystyle{...})
• Author truncation threshold change

2b. Abstract Format

• Word count limit adjustment
• Structured vs unstructured abstract
• Keyword requirements (number, format)

2c. Number and Unit Conventions

• Cross-reference NUMBER_UNIT_GUIDE.md
• SI unit formatting
• Number-word thresholds
• Percentage and statistical precision

2d. Figure and Table Requirements

• Caption format (sentence case vs title case)
• Figure resolution requirements (DPI)
• Table style (booktabs required?)
• Placement rules (top of page, column-spanning)
• Color vs grayscale requirements

2e. Page Layout (Manual Items)

• Margins, columns, line spacing
• Font family and size
• Header/footer content
• Page numbering style

Step 3: Apply Automated Changes

For each diff item that can be changed in the source:

1. Make the change
2. Annotate with [ADAPTED: reason] in a comment

Changes that CAN be automated:

• Bibliography style switch
• Abstract word count trim (flagging, not cutting)
• Number formatting adjustments
• Caption style adjustments
• Package additions/removals

Step 4: Output

Deliver two artifacts:

Artifact 1: Modified Text

• The adapted source with [ADAPTED: ...] annotations on changed lines
• Never alter substantive content (arguments, data, conclusions)

Artifact 2: Manual Checklist Items that require manual intervention in Word/LaTeX/Typst settings:

## Manual Adaptation Checklist

### Page Layout
- [ ] Set margins to [X cm / inches]
- [ ] Set columns to [single / double]
- [ ] Set line spacing to [single / 1.5 / double]
- [ ] Set font to [Times New Roman / Computer Modern / ...]
- [ ] Set font size to [10pt / 11pt / 12pt]

### Figures
- [ ] Verify all figures are [minimum DPI]
- [ ] Convert color figures to grayscale if required
- [ ] Check figure placement: [top of page / inline / ...]

### Tables
- [ ] Verify table style matches venue (booktabs / grid)
- [ ] Check caption position (above / below)

### Other
- [ ] Add/update page numbers
- [ ] Add/update running header
- [ ] Check supplementary material limits
- [ ] Verify total page count: [N pages max]

Constraints

• Never alter substantive content: arguments, data, methodology, conclusions must remain unchanged
• User-provided guide overrides all defaults: if the user supplies a journal's author guidelines, those rules take absolute priority over VENUES.md
• Flag uncertainty: if a guideline is ambiguous or not found, flag it for user verification rather than guessing
• Preserve all citations, labels, math environments: same protection rules as all other modules