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Top 10 tips for writing a paper
写好论文的十大技巧
1.Every paper tells a story
每篇论文都讲述了一个故事。
what is the “elevator pitch” of your story? elevator pitch = summary that is short enough to give during an elevator ride
换句话说，你的“电梯陈述”（elevator pitch）是什么？如何利用搭乘电梯的短暂时间向别人陈述足够精炼的总结？
the story is not what you did, but rather what you show, new ideas, new insights？why interesting, important?
这个故事讲的不是你做了什么，而是你要展示什么。有没有新的想法，新的见解，它们为什么有趣、重要？
why is the story of interest to others? universal truths, hot topic, surprises or unexpected results?
为什么别人会对你的故事感兴趣？发现了普遍的真理，触及了热点话题，让人吃惊，还是有出人意料的结果？
know your story!
了解你的故事！
2.Write top down
按照自顶向下的顺序写作
计算机科学家（以及大多数人）以这种方式思考问题
computer scientists (and most human beings) think this way!
先陈述宽泛的主题或想法，然后再进入细节。一定要交代背景！
state broad themes/ideas first, then go into detail. context, context, context
即使进入了细节，也要自顶向下来写！
even when going into detail … write top down!
3.Introduction: crucial, formulaic
Introduction：至关重要，已经程式化
如果读者没有被介绍部分打动，论文就失败了
if reader not excited by intro, paper is lost
结构：
recipe:
第1段：写作动机：很宽泛，问题领域是什么，为什么重要？
para. 1: motivation: broadly, what is problem area, why important?
第2段：缩小范围：你具体考虑的问题是什么？
para. 2: narrow down: what is problem you specifically consider
第3段：“In the paper, we ….”：最重要的一段，写出你的电梯陈述
para. 3: “In the paper, we ….”: most crucial paragraph, tell your elevator pitch
第4段：和其它研究结果相比，有怎样的不同/更好/相关之处？
para. 4: how different/better/relates to other work
第5段：“The remainder of this paper is structured as follows”
para. 5: “The remainder of this paper is structured as follows”
4.paragraph = ordered set of topically-related sentences
段 = 一些相关话题的句子的有序集合
lead sentence: sets context for paragraph, might tie to previous paragraph
每段头一句：为这一段设定背景；有可能起到承上启下的作用
sentences in paragraph should have logical narrative flow, relating to theme/topic
段落中的句子应该扣住主题，按照逻辑关系进行陈述
don’t mix tenses in descriptive text
不要在描述性的文字里混合不同的时态
one sentence paragraph: warning!
只有一句的段落：慎用！
5.Put yourself in place of the reader
将自己摆在读者的位置
less is more:“I would have sent you less if I had had time”, take the time to write less
Less is more：花些时间写得更简练
readers shouldn’t have to work, won’t “dig” to get story, understand context, results
读者不应该花费太多精力去理解你的故事、背景、结果
need textual signposts to know where ‘story” is going, context to know where they are
需要一些路标性的文字让读者知道故事进行到哪里了以及相关的背景。
good: “e.g., Having seen that … let us next develop a model for …. Let Z be ….”
好: “e.g., Having seen that … let us next develop a model for …. Let Z be ….”
bad: “Let Z be”
糟: “Let Z be”
what does reader know/not know, want/not want? write for reader, not for yourself
了解读者知道什么，不知道什么，想要什么，不想要什么。论文是为读者写的，不是为你自己。
page upon page of dense text is no fun to read
一页又一页密密麻麻的文字会让人读起来索然无味
avoid cramped feeling of tiny fonts, small margins
避免使用难以辨认的字体和太小的页边距
create openess with white space: figures, lists
利用图表在文字间开辟一些空白区域
enough context/information for reader to understand what you write?
是否有足够的信息（包括背景知识）让读者理解你所写的
no one has as much background/content as you
没有人拥有和你一样多的背景知识
no one can read your mind
没有人能读懂你的心思
all terms/notation defined?
有没有未定义的术语/符号？
