tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (How to write an introduction) Sun, 04 Nov 2018 23:14:04 -0800 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.9 & Feed Publisher DL comments on "How to write an introduction" (13573) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13573#Comment_13573 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13573#Comment_13573 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:59:06 -0800 DL Mariano comments on "How to write an introduction" (13572) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13572#Comment_13572 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13572#Comment_13572 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:51:39 -0800 Mariano precisification?!

]]> thierryzell comments on "How to write an introduction" (13568) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13568#Comment_13568 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13568#Comment_13568 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:22:24 -0800 thierryzell
Also, if we don't have one already, a question that would create a repository of articles and books about writing good mathematics could be useful, especially if each entry is described thoroughly by people who have read it. ]]> theojf comments on "How to write an introduction" (13559) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13559#Comment_13559 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13559#Comment_13559 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:58:18 -0800 theojf Myself, I'm not wowed by Gerhard Paseman's suggestion, but I agree that precisification may improve your main question. Your main question is certainly a good one, and I think many young and old researchers (myself included!) would like to learn more about how to write well. I worry that it is outside the trying-to-be-narrow scope of MO.

If memory serves, there are some MO questions generating lists of good mathematical writing? If these do exist, I suggest you look at them, and think about what works and what doesn't. If it does not exist, I could imagine you asking for such a list, or focus it on a list of articles with well-written introductions.

I would support a (CW!) question asking not for advice about how to write an introduction, but for things that people like in good introductions. For example, I like "sign-posting", when you very clearly lay out what you are going to say before saying it. So that answers don't draw on, if I were asking the question I would specify that I was looking for one-sentence answers.

]]> grp comments on "How to write an introduction" (13531) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13531#Comment_13531 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13531#Comment_13531 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:54:45 -0800 grp Professor B suggests I do it this way (akthough B is not in the math dept.), and manonthestreetC recommends this third way. Which way do you think is best? Or, is there an even better way?" This question seems better to me because it suggests you have put some time and effort into answering it already. However, I would answer this question by saying : "Really, you need to consider your audience, and tell us more specific goals. I would not recommend anything until I know more about those two factors and these other three actors which should be considered before asking for recommendations, blah, blah ,blah." (Of course, read the MathOverflow 'How To Ask' section again to make sure you
aren't missing something obvious.)

Well I wouldn't answer exactly that, but I hope this helps you write an even better question. A good exercise is to imagine the type of answer you are looking for, and then incorporate that into your question, or briefly tell the reader what will not be helpful.

Gerhard "Ask Me About Asking Me" Paseman, 2011.02.26 ]]> Andres Caicedo comments on "How to write an introduction" (13529) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13529#Comment_13529 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13529#Comment_13529 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:55:48 -0800 Andres Caicedo
How to write mathematics: http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Mathematics-Norman-Steenrod/dp/0821800558
A primer of mathematical writing: http://www.amazon.com/Primer-Mathematical-Writing-Disquisition-Appreciated/dp/0821806351/
Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences: http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Writing-Mathematical-Sciences-Nicholas/dp/0898714206/

and Krantz wrote a recent article on a closely related topic at the Notices, How to write your first paper. Notices Amer. Math. Soc. 54 (2007), no. 11, 1507–1511 ]]> paoloaceto comments on "How to write an introduction" (13523) http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13523#Comment_13523 http://mathoverflow.tqft.net/discussion/970/how-to-write-an-introduction/?Focus=13523#Comment_13523 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 03:30:28 -0800 paoloaceto of a master thesis, phd thesis or a paper. (of course these are different questions)
I am sure that many graduate students would find that useful.
There are many experts mathematicians on MO and I think they
could provide a lot of good advices.

Do you think that such a question is acceptable? ]]>