A Primer of Mathematical Writing: Being a Disquisition on Having Your Ideas Recorded, Typeset, Published, Read and Appreciated

Steven George Krantz

Jan 1997 · American Mathematical Soc.

About this eBook

This book is about writing in the professional mathematical environment. There are few people equal to this task, yet Steven Krantz is one who qualifies. While the book is nominally about writing, it's also about how to function in the mathematical profession. Those who are familiar with Krantz's writing will recognize his lively, inimitable style. In this volume, he addresses these nuts-and-bolts issues: syntax, grammar, structure, and style; mathematical exposition; use of the computer and T(subscript E)X; E-mail etiquette; and all aspects of publishing a journal article. Krantz's frank and straightforward approach makes this particularly suitable as a textbook. He does not avoid difficult topics. His intent is to demonstrate to the reader how to successfully operate within the profession. He outlines how to write grant proposals that are persuasive and compelling, how to write a letter of recommendation describing the research abilities of a candidate for promotion or tenure, and what a dean is looking for in a letter of recommendation. He further addresses some basic issues such as writing a book proposal to a publisher or applying for a job.