HowtowriteagreatresearchpaperSimonPeytonJonesMicrosoftResearch,CambridgeWritingpapersisaskill�Manypapersarebadlywritten�Goodwritingisaskillyoucanlearn�It’saskillthatisworthlearning:�Youwillgetmorebrowniepoints(morepapersacceptedetc)�Yourideaswillhavemoreimpact�YouwillhavebetterideasIncreasingimportanceWritingpapers:model1IdeaDoresearchWritepaperWritingpapers:model2IdeaDoresearchWritepaperIdeaWritepaperDoresearch�Forcesustobeclear,focused�Crystalliseswhatwedon’tunderstand�Opensthewaytodialoguewithothers:realitycheck,critique,andcollaborationDonotbeintimidatedWriteapaper,andgiveatalk,aboutanyidea,nomatterhowweedyandinsignificantitmayseemtoyouFallacyYouneedtohaveafantasticideabeforeyoucanwriteapaper.(Everyoneelseseemsto.)DonotbeintimidatedWriteapaper,andgiveatalk,aboutanyidea,nomatterhowinsignificantitmayseemtoyou�Writingthepaperishowyoudeveloptheideainthefirstplace�ItusuallyturnsouttobemoreinterestingandchallengingthatitseemedatfirstThepurposeofyourpaperWhybother?GoodpapersandtalksareafundamentalpartofresearchexcellenceFallacywewritepapersandgivetalksmainlytoimpressothers,gainrecognition,andgetpromotedPaperscommunicateideas�Yourgoal:toinfectthemindofyourreaderwithyouridea,likeavirus�Papersarefarmoredurablethanprograms(thinkMozart)Thegreatestideasare(literally)worthlessifyoukeepthemtoyourselfTheIdea�Figureoutwhatyourideais�Makecertainthatthereaderisinnodoubtwhattheideais.Be100%explicit:�“Themainideaofthispaperis....”�“Inthissectionwepresentthemaincontributionsofthepaper.”�Manypaperscontaingoodideas,butdonotdistilwhattheyare.IdeaAre-usableinsight,usefultothereaderOneping�Yourpapershouldhavejustone“ping”:oneclear,sharpidea�Readyourpaperagain:canyouhearthe“ping”?�Youmaynotknowexactlywhatthepingiswhenyoustartwriting;butyoumustknowwhenyoufinish�Ifyouhavelotsofideas,writelotsofpapersThankstoJoeTouchfor“oneping”Thepurposeofyourpaperisnot...TodescribetheWizWozsystem�YourreaderdoesnothaveaWizWoz�Sheisprimarilyinterestedinre-usablebrain-stu...
