Substantial evidence demonstrates widespread shortcomings in the reporting of health research publications. Reporting guidelines represent an effective tool to help improve the completeness and transparency of published papers that are much needed for their future use. Examples of key reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, COREQ, ENTREQ, PRISMA, STARD, and SQUIRE) are introduced here together with other resources supporting the writing of high quality research publications that are provided by the EQUATOR Network (www.equator-network.org).