How to Write a Paper

How to Write a Paper Carl Che 2002.9

Outline  Introduction  Steps to Write a Paper • • • •

Market Concept Embodiment Details

 Bibliographies

Introduction  Guidance in Writing a Paper • Just Frame (Mike Ashby) • Not Content (Hang Li) • Not Publication (Ya-Qin Zhang)

 What’s Good Written Papers? • Readable, Remembered, Cited

 Wanna Write Something

Outline  Introduction  Steps to Write a Paper • • • •

Market Concept Embodiment Details

 Bibliographies

Market  Market is Readers!  Thesis • Examiners – Details of All Research

 Paper • Skilled Referees – Check • Scientifically-literate Public – Extract Information

 Research Proposal • Funding Agency – Judge

 Popular article • Intelligent but Un-informed Public

Concept      

Making Concept-Sheet (Slides) Structure Thinking Freedom of thought Range over Entire Paper De-focus – Forget Details The most satisfying Step of Writing

Concept-Sheet

Embodiment – First Draft  Do it in Any Order • • • • • • • • •

Title Abstract Introduction Method Result Discussion Conclusion Figures …

How to Read a Paper     

Title Abstract Conclusion Figures And Move on

Title  Meaningful and Brief  Consists of Keywords  Avoid Using Abbreviation

Abstract  Try for One Sentence each on: • • • •

Motive Method Key Results Conclusions

 Don’t exceed 3 sentences on Anyone  Whether to Read on

Conclusion     

Most important results List any reservations or limitations Don’t duplicate the Abstract Summing up of the advances Bullet-Pointed List

Figures  Reproduced or imitated by others  Self-Contained • • • •

Title Labeled Axes Defined Units …

Introduction  What’s the problem and why’s it interesting?  Who are the main contributors?  What did they do?  What novel thing will you reveal?  State you will do a new thing!

Method    

Easy to write Allow to be repeated by someone else But no more Keep results for the next section

Results    

Easy to write, too Present the Output Concise and Meaningful Don’t mix with Discussion

Discussion  Extract Principles, Relationships, Generalizations  Present Analysis, Model or Theory  Show relationship between the results and analysis, model or theory  Clear and Concise

Details    

Grammar Spelling Punctuation Style

Style      

Be Clear Write from an appropriate design Define everything Avoid empty words Revise and rewrite Do not overstate, over-emphasize or apologize

Style (Cont.)  Avoid being patronizing, condescending or eccentric  Use appropriate language  Good first sentence  Seek helpful examples and analogies  Linking  Observe good writing  Finally…

Outline  Introduction  Steps to Write a Paper • • • •

Market Concept Embodiment Details

 Bibliographies

Bibliographies  How to Write a Paper • Mike Ashby

 Some Notes on English Technical Writing • Hang Li

 How to Publish a (good) Paper? • Ya-Qin Zhang

 Efficient Reading of Papers in Science and Thchnology

Reading makes a full man conference a ready man and writing an exact man --- Francis Bacon

Thanks!