Angela Vichitbandha - Assignment 2
A summary of Chapter 4: Other Types of Writing
In this chapter, Steven Krantz discussed several types of writing that most, if not all, mathematicians will encounter as a professional. This includes letters of recommendation, book reviews, referee's reports, talks, CVs, grant proposals, job applications, and e-mail. Many of his points are rather repetitive, since these various types of writing do have a good deal of similarity. As such, I am only specifically covering what I found to be his most useful and poignant suggestions (primarily sections 4.1 and 4.4).
In the section about letters of recommendation, Krantz focuses on letters about other professionals (though it does mention letters for students) and emphasizes the need to be forthright and, if applicable, enthusiastic and specific when giving a recommendation. He points out that lukewarm recommendations (or even ones that are just not enthusiastic) are likely to be interpreted as "not encouraging, but not wanting to outright say it."
His section on giving talks gives a good deal of advice on what and how to prepare for giving talks. He focuses on colloquium-style talks and gives many useful tips, mostly geared towards making talks reasonably accessible yet still interesting. While his tips are not specifically meant for the sort of presentations more likely given by undergraduates, many could still be immensely helpful nonetheless. More generally, through the chapter, Krantz encourages writers to consider their work carefully in order to make sure that the product is honest and actually useful.
In this chapter, Steven Krantz discussed several types of writing that most, if not all, mathematicians will encounter as a professional. This includes letters of recommendation, book reviews, referee's reports, talks, CVs, grant proposals, job applications, and e-mail. Many of his points are rather repetitive, since these various types of writing do have a good deal of similarity. As such, I am only specifically covering what I found to be his most useful and poignant suggestions (primarily sections 4.1 and 4.4).
In the section about letters of recommendation, Krantz focuses on letters about other professionals (though it does mention letters for students) and emphasizes the need to be forthright and, if applicable, enthusiastic and specific when giving a recommendation. He points out that lukewarm recommendations (or even ones that are just not enthusiastic) are likely to be interpreted as "not encouraging, but not wanting to outright say it."
His section on giving talks gives a good deal of advice on what and how to prepare for giving talks. He focuses on colloquium-style talks and gives many useful tips, mostly geared towards making talks reasonably accessible yet still interesting. While his tips are not specifically meant for the sort of presentations more likely given by undergraduates, many could still be immensely helpful nonetheless. More generally, through the chapter, Krantz encourages writers to consider their work carefully in order to make sure that the product is honest and actually useful.
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