Checklist for ``Writing a Math Phase Two Paper''

This index is not meant to be part of the primer; short math papers do not have indexes. Use the index to find material in the primer and as a checklist of points to consider. Note that the material selected will appear at the very top of the page in the primer document.

The Phase Two writing requirement

• Criteria for evaluation of Phase Two paper.
• Deadlines for submitting Phase Two paper.
• Student's responsibilities.

Organization of the paper

• Title.
• Sectioning.
• Section titles.
• Avoiding sub-sections.
• Abstract.
  • An example of an abstract.
• Introduction.
• ``Road map.''
  • An example of a road map.
• Body.
• Appendix.
• References.
  • An example of references.
• Citations.

The following are generally not found in math papers:

• Table of contents.
• Conclusions section.

Language

• Primary goals of language: precision and clarity.
• Secondary goals of language: familiarity, forthrightness, conciseness, fluidity, and imagery.

These are some stylistic points to consider:

• Sentence structure.
• Linguistic devices: boldface, italics, quotations.
• Correct use of pronouns.
• Use of ``that'' vs. ``which.''
• Use ``we'', never ``I.''
• Punctuation.

These are some stylistic points to avoid:

• Passive voice.
• Dangling participles.
• Pseudo-intellectualism.
• Jargon.
• Unfamiliar terms.
• Footnotes.

Math style

• Motivation of formulas and formal statements.
• Defining all terms.
• Displays.
• Punctuation of displays.
• Examples of displays.
• Handling mathematical symbols.
• Separate symbols in different formulas with words.
• Never start sentences with symbols.
• Use commas with symbols correctly.
• Use consistently.
• Keep notation simple.
• When to write out numbers.
• Use of ``if'' with ``then.''
• Use of words instead of symbols such as , etc..
• Assertions and proofs.
• Preceding assertions with a complete sentence.
• Distinction between theorem, proposition, corollary, lemma, definition, and remark.
• Example of an assertion.
• Prefering conceptual to computational proofs.
• Marking the end of a proof.
• Illustrations.
• Introducing in text.
• Captions.
• Example of a figure.
• Example of a table.