How to Write a Paper in a Weekend (By Prof. Pete Carr)
TLDRProfessor Carr from the University of Minnesota's Department of Chemistry shares insights on writing a research paper. With experience in producing over 400 papers, he addresses common fears and offers strategies to make the process enjoyable and productive. The focus is on creating a first draft efficiently, emphasizing the importance of preliminaries such as reviewing notes and literature search. He advises on understanding the audience and purpose, and presents an algorithm for drafting, which includes starting with an outline, avoiding the introduction initially, and writing the experimental section first. The summary concludes with the importance of critical editing, clear writing, and adhering to journal requirements.
Takeaways
- π Professor Carr emphasizes the importance of writing a research paper and shares his experience in producing over 400 papers.
- π He advises new graduate students to overcome their fear and excitement about writing their first research paper.
- βοΈ The focus is on producing a first draft efficiently, which is a significant step in the writing process.
- π οΈ Reviewing notes and renewing literature search are essential preliminaries before starting to write the paper.
- π₯ Determining the audience of the paper is crucial, as it helps in tailoring the content to the intended readers and reviewers.
- π‘ The 'big picture' approach suggests creating an initial draft as the creative part, resisting the temptation to correct mistakes at this stage.
- π Professor Carr recommends starting with an outline to maintain continuity and organization throughout the writing process.
- π« He advises against writing the introduction first, as it is the hardest part and may lead to procrastination.
- π¬ Writing the experimental section and results is suggested next, as these are the parts the writer is most familiar with.
- π After completing the experimental and results sections, the focus shifts to critical editing and refining the draft.
- π The final steps include writing clear conclusions, crafting an introduction with purpose and background, and compiling accurate references.
Q & A
Who is the speaker in the provided transcript?
-The speaker is Professor Carr from the University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry.
What is the main topic of the talk given by Professor Carr?
-The main topic is about how to write a research paper, focusing on producing a first draft.
How many papers has Professor Carr and his group produced over the years?
-Professor Carr and his group have produced about 400 papers.
What is the first step Professor Carr suggests in writing a research paper?
-The first step is to review your own notes and renew your literature search before starting to write the paper.
Why is it important to determine the audience of your research paper according to Professor Carr?
-Determining the audience is important because it helps in understanding the purpose of the paper and addressing the concerns of the primary readers, which are often the reviewers.
What does Professor Carr suggest as the creative part of writing a research paper?
-Producing the initial draft is considered the creative part of the job, where the focus should be on creating a complete draft rather than a perfect one.
What is the recommended order of writing different sections of a research paper according to Professor Carr's algorithm?
-The recommended order is to start with the experimental section, followed by results and discussion, and then write the introduction and conclusion last.
Why should the introduction of a research paper be written after the experimental and results sections?
-The introduction is the hardest part of a paper to write, and writing it last helps to avoid procrastination and ensures that the writer has a clear understanding of the study's purpose and background.
What is the purpose of writing conclusions in a numbered format according to Professor Carr?
-Writing conclusions in a numbered format helps to clearly separate the contributions of the work and makes it easy for readers to understand the study's outcomes.
What does Professor Carr advise regarding the collection of references while writing the first draft?
-Professor Carr advises noting down potential references during the first draft but not to stop and collect them at that time, as it interrupts the flow of work. Exact references should be gathered when the manuscript is almost finished.
What is the final advice Professor Carr gives for writing a research paper?
-The final advice is to always review the manuscript requirements for the journal of interest and to focus on critical skills to ensure scientific arguments are correct and logical.
Outlines
π Overcoming the Fear of Writing a Research Paper
Professor Carr from the University of Minnesota's Department of Chemistry introduces the topic of writing a research paper. With experience from producing around 400 papers, the professor empathizes with the fears and excitement that new graduate students face when writing their first research paper. The focus of the talk is on producing a first draft efficiently, emphasizing the importance of not procrastinating. Preliminary steps include reviewing relevant notes, renewing literature searches, and identifying the paper's audience and purpose. The professor also stresses the importance of addressing the concerns of the primary reader, typically the reviewer, in the first draft to increase the chances of publication.
π The Algorithm for Drafting a Research Paper
The professor outlines a step-by-step algorithm for drafting a research paper. The process begins with starting the draft without procrastination and working from an outline, which is crucial for resuming work at the point where one left off. The recommended order of writing is to first draft the experimental section, followed by the results and discussion, as these are based on familiar material. The introduction, which is often the most challenging part, should be written last, after the paper's purpose and essential background information have been determined. The final steps involve critical editing to ensure clarity, conciseness, and coherence, as well as writing conclusions in a numbered format for clarity. The professor also advises against collecting references during the first draft to maintain the writing flow, instead suggesting that exact references be gathered towards the end of the manuscript preparation.
π Final Thoughts on Writing and Resources
In the concluding part of the script, the professor emphasizes the importance of adhering to the manuscript requirements of the target journal to avoid rejection. The professor also references Sir Francis Bacon, highlighting that writing is an exacting part of a scientist's work that requires critical skills to ensure scientific arguments are correct and logical. To aid the audience, the professor recommends several classic books on writing, particularly for chemistry papers, and a short but valuable paper by Professor Royce Murray on skillful writing of research papers, which provides seven rules to follow and humorously points out common mistakes to avoid in manuscript writing.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Research Paper
π‘First Draft
π‘Procrastination
π‘Outline
π‘Audience
π‘Critical Editing
π‘Experimental Section
π‘Results and Discussion
π‘Introduction
π‘Conclusions
π‘References
Highlights
Professor Carr from the University of Minnesota shares insights on writing a research paper.
Over 400 papers produced by Professor Carr and his group.
Addressing the fear and excitement of writing a research paper, especially the first one.
Focusing on producing a first draft quickly to overcome procrastination.
Importance of reviewing notes and renewing literature search before writing.
Determining the audience and purpose of the research paper is crucial.
The primary reader of any paper is the reviewer.
Creating an initial draft is the creative part of the job.
Resist the temptation to correct mistakes during the first draft.
Develop an algorithm for writing research papers.
Start writing without procrastination and work from an outline.
Writing the introduction should be avoided in the first draft.
Focus on writing the experimental and results sections first.
Hard critical editing comes after the first draft is complete.
Writing conclusions in a numbered format can be effective.
Introduction should cover the study's purpose and essential background.
Producing references should be the final step in the writing process.
Reviewing the manuscript requirements for the target journal is essential.
Sir Francis Bacon's quote on the importance of reading and writing in science.
Recommendations for further reading on writing research papers.
A paper by Professor Royce Murray on skillful writing of a research paper.
Transcripts
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