Writing Guides
The following links give more information about writing and presenting:
- Writing Guidelines for Science and Engineering Students
- Research Writing in Computer Science by Kevin Korb -- includes long sections on argumentation and fallacies but useful
- Some Hints on Mathematical Style by David Goss
- Writing Mathematics by Berry and Lawson
- Hints, Tips, and Help for Writing Mathematics Well by Kevin Lee
- Writing a Research Paper in Mathematics by Ashley Reiter
- How to Present a Paper in Theoretical Computer Science by Ian Parberry
- Advice on Research and Writing -- collection of links primarily for computer science but also useful to mathematics majors
- Advice on "doing research" -- intended for graduate students, but probably useful for Senior Seminar students as well
- The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX2e by Tobias Oetiker
Presentation Suggestions from David Mankin (′98):
- ALWAYS look over your shoulder to make sure the transparency is all on the screen...Keep the text high on the screen so the projector′s not in the way.
- Have transparency markers in multi colors handy.
- [Maybe] Keep going back to your outline slide to keep the audience up to date on where you are.
- Ask for questions several times in the talk (Only if your talk is going to run short rather than long).
- Spell check your slides before you print them.
- Don′t get in the way of the slide on the screen.
- Don′t erase the chalkboard with your finger!
- Don′t write cursive on the board.
- If using a computer, be sure that it takes ONE click to find the next step.
- Don′t have to say "Just wait a sec while I find this."
- Make sure your talk follows a logical outline so it′s easy to take notes...Don′t just say what comes to mind.
- Have the lights on while writing on the board. [Maybe] off while pointing at transparencies.
- Keep the podium back a ways so you′re not blocking the projector.
- It′s neat to lay transparencies on top of each other, but make sure it looks good the day before.
- Give a brief report on where you are in your project, if it′s good news.
- Hold Still! Don′t kick your feet, or play with your keys or pen.
- Practice! Practice! Practice!
- Separate the backs from your slides BEFORE the talk.
- Don′t forget to conclude. THEN ask for comments. Leave time for questions.
- Give a preview of what′s coming in the next talk.
- Don′t say things like "Like" or "that′s like" or "umm."
