Writing Mathematics Well

Good writing conveys more than the author originally had in mind, while poor writing conveys less. Well written papers are more quickly accepted and put into print and more widely read and appreciated than poorly written ones-and for notes, monographs, and books the quality of writing is of more importance that it is for papers. In Writing Mathematics Well, Leonard Gillman tells his readers how to develop a clear and effective style. All aspects of mathematical writing are covered, from general organization and choice of title, to the presentation of results, to fine points on using words and symbols, to revision, and, finally, to the mechanics of putting your manuscript into print. No book can by itself make you a better writer, but this one will alert you to the opportunities for better and more forceful writing. It does this both by precept and by example. This is no bland collection of rules, but a lively guide in the style of Strunk and White or Fowler--a book to be read for its sharpness and wit as well as for enlightenment. Writing Mathematics Well should be on the shelf of anyone who writes or intends to write mathematics. It will amuse and delight the already careful writer and it will help reform and refine the sensibilities of those who may be somewhat careless about their writing.

"The ancient Greeks argued that the best life was filled with beauty, truth, justice, play and love. The mathematician Francis Su knows just where to find them."--Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine" This is perhaps the most important mathematics book of our time. Francis Su shows mathematics is an experience of the mind and, most important, of the heart."--James Tanton, Global Math Project For mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. To miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity's most beautiful ideas. In this profound book, written for a wide audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an award-winning mathematician and educator weaves parables, puzzles, and personal reflections to show how mathematics meets basic human desires--such as for play, beauty, freedom, justice, and love--and cultivates virtues essential for human flourishing. These desires and virtues, and the stories told here, reveal how mathematics is intimately tied to being human. Some lessons emerge from those who have struggled, including philosopher Simone Weil, whose own mathematical contributions were overshadowed by her brother's, and Christopher Jackson, who discovered mathematics as an inmate in a federal prison. Christopher's letters to the author appear throughout the book and show how this intellectual pursuit can--and must--be open to all.

This book will help those wishing to teach a course in technical writing, or who wish to write themselves.

Writing guides abound, but The Simple Math of Writing Well is one of a kind. Readers will find its practical approach affirming, encouraging, and informative, and its focus on the basics of linguistic structure releases 21st-century writers to embrace the variety of mediums that define our internet-connected world. As Harrop reminds us in the opening chapters of her book, we write more today than ever before in history: texts, emails, letters, blogs, reports, social media posts, proposals, etc. The Simple Math of Writing Well is the first guide that directly addresses the importance of writing well in the Google age.

This classic guide contains four essays on writing mathematical books and papers at the research level and at the level of graduate texts. The authors are all well known for their writing skills, as well as their mathematical accomplishments. The first essay, by Steenrod, discusses writing books, either monographs or textbooks. He gives both general and specific advice, getting into such details as the need for a good introduction. The longest essay is by Halmos, and contains many of the pieces of his advice that are repeated even today: In order to say something well you must have something to say; write for someone; think about the alphabet. Halmos's advice is systematic and practical. Schiffer addresses the issue by examining four types of mathematical writing: research paper, monograph, survey, and textbook, and gives advice for each form of exposition. Dieudonne's contribution is mostly a commentary on the earlier essays, with clear statements of where he disagrees with his coauthors. The advice in this small book will be useful to mathematicians at all levels.

Good writing conveys more than the author originally had in mind, while poor writing conveys less. Well written papers are more quickly accepted and put into print and more widely read and appreciated than poorly written ones—and for notes, monographs, and books the quality of writing is of more importance that it is for papers. In Writing Mathematics Well, Leonard Gillman tells his readers how to develop a clear and effective style. All aspects of mathematical writing are covered, from general organization and choice of title, to the presentation of results, to fine points on using words and symbols, to revision, and, finally, to the mechanics of putting your manuscript into print. No book can by itself make you a better writer, but this one will alert you to the opportunities for better and more forceful writing. It does this both by precept and by example. This is no bland collection of rules, but a lively guide in the style of Strunk and White or Fowler—a book to be read for its sharpness and wit as well as for enlightenment. Writing Mathematics Well should be on the shelf of anyone who writes or intends to write mathematics. It will amuse and delight the already careful writer and it will help reform and refine the sensibilities of those who may be somewhat careless about their writing.

This book, based on Pólya's method of problem solving, aids students in their transition to higher-level mathematics. It begins by providing a great deal of guidance on how to approach definitions, examples, and theorems in mathematics and ends by providing projects for independent study. Students will follow Pólya's four step process: learn to understand the problem; devise a plan to solve the problem; carry out that plan; and look back and check what the results told them.