Do you sometimes struggle to put your ideas into writing? Does your advisor feel the need to edit your text? Have anonymous reviewers ever misunderstood your main arguments? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are likely to benefit from this course.

Now in its third year, this course develops writing skills for students in all areas of computer science. The course is aimed specifically at Ph.D. students who are preparing for their research exam and/or writing up projects for publication.

Classes meet once per week; attendance is mandatory. Classes start with a discussion on some aspect of writing style. They end with students receiving detailed feedback on their rough drafts.

Students should bring a writing sample to the first day of class. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.

Administrivia

• Professor: Lawrence Saul
• Meetings: Fri 2-3, EBU3B 2217.
• Grading: 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration.
• Units: 2

Reading

• G. Gopen and J. Swan. 1990. The Science of Scientific Writing. American Scientist 78:550-558.
• J. Williams. 2006. Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL.

Syllabus