APPM 2460 Diff' Eq' Computer Lab

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APPM 2460Diff. Eq. Computer Lab

• Writing Workshop I

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Why Write?

• Compositions in writing are perhaps not given
  sufficient prominence I am told that insistence
  on such compositions would close the door to very
  good pupils who know their subject and understand
  it very well, and yet are incapable of applying
  it in the smallest degree

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Why Write?

• ...Such pupils understand only in the first sense
  of the word, and we have just seen that this is
  not sufficient to make either an engineer or a
  geometrician. Well, since we have to make a
  choice, I prefer to choose those who understand
  thoroughly.
• -Henri Poincaré

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Resources

• Diff. Eq. lab writing guidelines follow them
  closely!
• On-line writing guide many examples
• OWL
• Many books and references

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Writing Goals of Diff. Eq. Labs
Improve

• organization in writing
• clarity and logic in writing
• grammar and mechanics
• writing style

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Organization

• An old speech-writing maxim
• Tell them what youre going to tell them
• Tell them
• Tell them what you told them

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Organization

• Title Page/Heading
• Title of report
• Students names
• Date
• TAs name
• Recitation number

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Organization

• Introduction
• States the purpose of the document
• Concise one or two paragraphs
• Relatively non-technical
• No complicated equations or problem background
• Outline of paper and tools used

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Organization

• Body
• Main part of the report
• All required qualitative and quantitative results
• Contains prose, equations, and graphics
• Divided into sections with headings
• Look for logical places to make divisions

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Organization

• Conclusion
• Restate the primary conclusions
• Brief but comprehensive
• Need not be too technical
• A place for general comments and reflections

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Organization

• Appendix
• A place to put extra material too lengthy for the
  body
• Examples Extra graphs, lengthy calculations
• All data in appendix should be referred to in
  main body
• No major conclusions in appendix! Appendix
  should be able to be torn out and the paper still
  makes sense

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Writing Goals of Diff. Eq. Labs
Improve

• organization in writing
• clarity and logic in writing
• grammar and mechanics
• writing style

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Logic

• The goal is clarity
• Arguments should make sense
• Arguments should be as direct as possible

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Logic

• Planning for clarity a procedure
• Read
• Compute
• Think
• Plan and write
• Re-read
• Edit and revise

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Writing Goals of Diff. Eq. Labs
Improve

• organization in writing
• clarity and logic in writing
• grammar and mechanics
• writing style

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Grammar and Spelling

• Proper spelling and grammar
• Use a spellchecker
• If you need grammar help, find someone to help
  you re-read and edit
• Grammar checkers can be useful, but hard to use
• Re-read and revise
• Refer to on-line writing guide and OWL

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Mechanics and Format

• Neatness
• Labs must be typed (word processed)
• Use 8.5 x 11 printer paper no loose-leaf
  paper
• Long calculations can be hand written if necessary

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Mechanics and Format

• Page format
• Use 1.5 line spacing
• Reasonable font - 12 points
• Margins no more than 1.25 inches

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Mechanics and Format

• Graphics, equations, and tables
• Must be included in body of lab (can have a page
  of figures, though)
• Must be LABELED!
• Graphs must have titles and labeled axes
• Graphs and tables must be referred to in the text

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Mechanics and Format

• Software
• Computer software to solve math problems
• Word processor for editing
• Learn how to paste graphs into Word from
  Mathematica, MatLab and MVT
• Use of other math software possible, but not
  supported by instructors or TAs

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Writing Goals of Diff. Eq. Labs
Improve

• organization in writing
• clarity and logic in writing
• grammar and mechanics
• writing style

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Style and Clarity

• Style Persuasion in words
• Goal get the ideas across with impact
• Clarity
• Efficiency and concision
• Accuracy
• Consistency

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Style and Clarity

• Technical writing style
• Know the level of your intended reader
• Use technical words correctly (be aware of
  possible double meanings e.g. complex)
• Define new terms, variables, acronyms, etc. at
  first use
• Use voice and tense consistently
• Choose your words carefully

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Style and Clarity

• Writing mathematics
• Mathematics and words should blend seamlessly
  make it flow!
• Avoid starting sentences with numbers or variable
  names
• Well chosen, and consistently used, notation will
  help
• Explain both mathematics and physical
  interpretation

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Writing Goals of Diff. Eq. Labs
Improve

• organization in writing
• clarity and logic in writing
• grammar and mechanics
• writing style