How to Write Papers! Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra ECE Department IIT Guwahati © Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra

How to Write Papers!

Dr. Amit Kumar MishraECE Department

IIT Guwahati

© Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra

Plan

• Why to write paper• Where to write• How to write


Why to write paper?

• Disseminate what you have done• Addition to knowledge• Get acclaimed


Where to write paper?• Conferences: – There are loads of junk conferences: be-aware– Thumb rule: anything whose archive is genuine

• Journals:– ISI indexed journals– IEEE/Elseiver journals

• How to choose:– Review time-line– Impact factor– Publication cost (if any)– Where you found your references


How to start?

• Finish 70% of your research (for the paper)• Look around for journals where most of your

references can be found• Make the skeleton first• Start with introduction!• Look at existing new papers to know what to

put and how to put


The structure

• Abstract• Introduction• Modus-operandi• Observations• Conclusions• References


Abstract

• Write it twice:– Once when you start writing the paper– Once when you have finished

• Keep your sentences short• Three parts:– Introduce your field– What’s already been done– What’s new here– How its better


Introduction

• THE MOST IMPORTANT PART• “putting your work in context”• Thumb rule: >90% of your references cited

here• Four parts:– The subject– The past– The lacuna/the novelty here– Plan of rest of the paper


Modus-operandi

• Theory (don’t elaborate if you don’t have to)• Refer and cite• Database used• Mathematical notations! (consistency)• Figures of merit


Observations

• This is pure business: selling your work• Visual tools: tables and graphs• No table/graph should be left without remarks• Refer the figure before you put it


Conclusions

• Note all your contributions• Say how great they are!• Note limitations if any


References

• See the journal instructions for style• Best: use Latex (you just have to change the

*.sty file in the folder!)• IMP: try to put 3-5 references from the journal

where you are submitting your paper (Why?)


Some more guidelines

• English: keep it simple• Grammar: Double check it– A remedial grammar for foreign students

• Doubtful about a phrase? Use Google!• Keep your sentences short• Avoid adjectives!• Double check on jargons• Read twice before you give it to your supervisor

(if you don’t want him to act as a spell-checker!)


In nutshell!

• Most imp: INTRODUCTION• Choose right journal• Proper references• HIGHLIGHT your contributions/novelties


Writing papers is an art! Learn it and enjoy it!!


Documents

How to Write Papers! Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra ECE Department IIT Guwahati © Dr. Amit Kumar Mishra