Resources for Mathematical Writing

Stephen B. Maure, Undergraduate Guide to Writing Mathematics, to be published.

This is the major reference for students, as it is written specifically for undergraduates. It is an excellent source for information on forms of mathematical writing and on stylistic and formatting issues regarding mathematical writing. You should read this book and turn to it first when you have a question about formatting or style.

Leonard Gillman, Writing Mathematics Well, The Mathematical Association of America, 1987.

This is a short guide to writing written mainly for professional mathematicians, but you will find many useful tips in it. It addresses style and formatting issues.

Norman E. Steenrod, Paul R. Halmos, Menahem M. Chiffer, and Jean A. Dieudonn{\'{e}, How to Write Mathematics, American Mathematical Society, 1973.

This pamphlet contains four essays about writing mathematics. It is of most use to professionals.

Steven G. Krantz, A Primer of Mathematical Writing, American Mathematical Society, 1997.

While this book is also aimed at professionals, the first three chapters deal with issues of style and formatting.

There are copies of these references in the library.

Format for Mathematical Papers

On the Department website are sample documents [links given below] that address some of the formatting issues for mathematics. In particular, each includes a discussion of formatting theorems, definitions, corollaries, etc.; numbering such items; displaying expressions, equations, and inequalities; citing references; and formatting a bibliography. You can use these documents as templates to write your own papers.

Formatting assistants:

Using MS Word:

The descriptive document (with copyable formats, )
The basic template (.dot format)

Using TeX (currently- using iTeXMac on the College Macs)

The descriptive document with explanations, examples
The TeX source of the descriptive document with copyable commands
The basic frame document (with preamble, setings)

Writing Home Page

Criteria for Good Writing in Mathematics

Mechanics of completing the Requirement

The Portfolio

The Process of Preparing the Fortfolio

Requirements and Mechanics for the Sophomore level
Requirements and Mechanics for the Junior level
The Senior Comprehensive Paper

Progress Reports

Overall Assessment
Standards

Resources for Mathematical Writing (Current Page)

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8/21/06