Scientific Writing and Presentation

Cao Hoang Tru

Computer Science & Engineering, HCMUT 29 October 2009

Outline
Writing scientific papers Typical parts of a paper DO and DON'T Avoiding plagiarism Format of assignment/thesis Giving a talk

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Why writing papers?

Thats where original ideas are first proposed. They come before textbooks and application products. Ideas are not confirmed until they are written down. Its an important medium for scientific discussion and debate.
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What makes a good paper?

Relevance
with respect to a certain scientific theme

Originality
most important

Technical quality
validity, rigourousness

Presentation
structure, flow, readability, clarity
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Where to submit a paper?

Suitable theme and level Workshop
Conference
Journal Book Chapter

Be aware of poor conferences and journals.

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Typical parts of a paper

Sections order 1. Title and abstract 2. Introduction 3. Method 4. Evaluation 5. Conclusion 6. References Recommended writing order 1. References 2. Introduction 3. Method 4. Evaluation 5. Conclusion 6. Title and abstract

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References
To see how original your work is in contrast to previous ones. To support your arguments in the paper. They provide an important background for the story you are telling.

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References
Cite recent references if possible. Cite peer-reviewed references. Do not cite many of your own references (self-citations). Do not list any reference not cited in the paper.

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Reference information
Authors Title Proceedings/journal/book chapter/book Publication year Volume, page numbers Publisher

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Reference information
Harvard system:
Anderson, J and Poole, M (1998) Assignment and Thesis Writing, 3rd ed, John Wiley and Sons, Brisbane.

American Psychological Association:

Anderson, J. & Poole, M. (1998) Assignment and Thesis Writing, 3rd ed. Brisbane: John Wiley and Sons.

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Reference listing
Alphabetical order Chronological order

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Reference citation
By numbers
[1], superscripts.

Author-date system
Ferguson and Clark (1991) (Ferguson and Clark 1991)

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Referencing format
Follow instructions of the publisher. Be consistent for every piece of information of the same type.

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Introduction
Brief description of the problem and its significance. Analysis of related works
to point out a gap, your motivation.

Key ideas of your method, main results and major contribution of the paper. Organization of the paper.

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Introduction
A very important part to interest/impress a reviewer, or not. Outline it first, then revise it later. Keep it in mind when writing up the paper
not to loose the paper focus to make the whole paper coherent to what has been introduced.

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Method
To present technical details of your solution. Be precise, formal, and concise as much as possible. Make the paper self-contained. Emphasize what are original or significant in your method.

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Method
Figures, Tables, Diagrams,
can be helpful to "sell" ideas interpret and explain them do not abuse using them if reproduced or adapted from another source, the source must be acknowledged in the caption.

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Method
Use simple examples to illustrate the key ideas of your method, though its formal description is complicated.

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Evaluation
Theoretical evaluation
performance or complexity analysis advantages of the proposed model or method

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Evaluation
Experimental evaluation
state the experiment target have a fair experiment design interpret and explain obtained results compare to related works draw conclusions

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Conclusion
Summary of what you have done and presented. Recall the contribution and its significance. Suggest further work.

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Title and abstract

Title = fewest possible keywords describing the content of a paper A tentative title can be helpful as a theme to guide your writing

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Title and abstract

Abstract is about the contribution, not a summary, of the paper
100-250 words Target problem Proposed method Obtained results

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Title and abstract

Do not include in the abstract
citations abbreviations equations background future work

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DO and DON'T
Structure and outline the paper before writing. Balance section lengths Balance paragraph lengths. Use introductory paragraphs, linking words, phrases, sentences.

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DO and DON'T
Get it proofread and reviewed by your fellows, advisors first. Make the paper look as neat as possible before submission
Correct spelling and grammar Proper and consistent format.

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DO and DON'T
Avoid using
intensifying adverbs: very, much, judging adjectives: good, bad, extreme terms: perfect, ideal, first personal pronoun I (using we or passive voice instead). complicated sentences.

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Avoiding plagiarism
Plagiarism
"use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work."
Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary, 1995.

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Avoiding plagiarism
Acknowledge both quotations and paraphrases (indirect quotations using other words).

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Format of assignment/thesis
Preliminaries
Title page Abstract Declaration Acknowledgements Table of contents List of tables List of figures

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Format of assignment/thesis
Text
Introduction Main body of the report Conclusion

Reference
Listing Appendices Index
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Format of assignment/thesis
Chapter 1: Introduction
Motivation, scope, objectives Summary of major contributions Structure overview Abbreviations and conventions

Chapter 2: Backgrounds
Literature review Theoretical and technological basis
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Format of assignment/thesis
Chapters 3-6: Solutions References Appendices

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Scientific writing Q&A

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Giving a talk
Who is your audience?
to present adequate background for people to understand your talk to present what they are interested in to have the right focus of your talk.

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Giving a talk
How much time you are given?
to choose the most relevant and essential contents to present to have an appropriate number of slides (1-2mins/each) not to be asked to stop during your talk.

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Designing slides
Outline the contents of your talk
given known audience given time limit locating the number of slides for each part.

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Writing slides
Use as less text as possible
highlight keywords, numbers avoid using whole sentences.

Do not put many ideas on one slide.

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Writing slides
Use clearly visible text fonts, sizes, foreground and background colors. Use simple and elegant format. Do not abuse using animation. Check spelling.

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Using colors*
Dark letters against a light background work. Light letters against a dark background also work. Many experts feel that a dark blue or black background works best for talks in a large room. Dark letters against a light background are best for smaller rooms and for teaching.
*Ho

Tu Bao, RIVF09

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Using colors*
Avoid red-green combinations because a significant fraction of the human population is red-green colorblind. Lots of people cant read this and even if they could, it makes the eyes hurt. Other color combinations can be equally bad!

*Ho

Tu Bao, RIVF09

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Presenting slides
Talk - not read. Keep eye contact with the audience. Give time for people to think, unnoticeably.

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Answering questions
Listen carefully to a question to understand its meaning. Think before answering (can ask to make sure you understand it correctly). Repeat and answer the question for the whole audience.

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Preparing for a conference

Rehearse your presentation to a group of fellows, advisors. Avoid no-show cases. Plan to attend other talks.

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Scientific presentation Q&A

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Further readings
Ho Tu Bao, PRICAI08, RIVF09 Tutorial Notes Duong Nguyen Vu, RIVF08 Tutorial Notes Anderson, J. & Poole, M. (1998), Assignment and Thesis Writing, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.

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