diff --git a/docs/adding-a-paper.md b/docs/adding-a-paper.md
index 86fe1ac33..6305e14be 100644
--- a/docs/adding-a-paper.md
+++ b/docs/adding-a-paper.md
@@ -2,39 +2,21 @@
 
 We are very keen to compile all pre-printed and published OpenSAFELY studies on [opensafely.org](https://www.opensafely.org).
 
-To do this, open a new file in a text editor of your choice. Populate the file using the following template:
-
-```
----
-title: "Short title for the page"
-date: yyyy-mm-dd
-status: "preprint" or "published"
-paper: "Title of the paper"
-description: "Description of the paper"
-cite: "How to cite this paper"
-link: "https://doi.org/..."
-project: Approved project number (see https://www.opensafely.org/approved-projects/)
-repo: "OpenSAFELY GitHub repository name"
----
-
-## Abstract
-
-### Background
-
-### Methods
-
-### Results
-
-### Conclusions
-
-```
-
-First, update the frontmatter (i.e., the text between the `---`s) with the correct details for your paper. Note that `status:` should have the value `preprint` or `published` to indicate the current status of your manuscript. Then, add the necessary text below the `## Abstract` line to include the abstract.
-
-This file format is called "Markdown", for more help writing Markdown documents, see:
-
-- [Markdown Guide: Basic Syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/)
-- [Markdown Guide: Cheat Sheet](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/)
-- [Dillinger: this shows a preview of your Markdown as you type](https://dillinger.io/)
-
-This file can then be incorporated into our website by anyone with the required access; if you are an external researcher, then you can send this to your co-pilot who will have the necessary permissions.
+To do this, we require the following information:
+
+* the full title
+* the date the paper was published on the journal's website
+* the authors
+* the full citation
+* a short description
+* the DOI
+* the name of the journal
+* the URL of the associated OpenSAFELY repository
+* the number of the associated OpenSAFELY project (see the "[Approved Projects](https://www.opensafely.org/approved-projects/)" page)
+
+If the paper has an accompanying preprint,
+then we also require the following information about the accompanying preprint:
+
+* the full title
+* the DOI
+* the URL