Writing good papers

Overall

• first sentence summarizes paragraph
• last sentence segways into next
• bullet definitions or terms
• describe figures
• state assumptions
• informative section headings
• lead the reader to your conclusions
• bullets and numbered lists when appropriate
• make contribution clear
• if idea is complex build up to it slowly
• you should be able to start reading the paper from any paragraph
• re-describe things simply and refer to them in each section
• 5-7 sections
• subsections should not be over 1 page long
• use spin to motivate if possible

Perfect Paragraph

• Topic sentence:
• Concrete Detail#1:
• Commentary:
• Transition:
• Concrete Detail #2:
• Commentary:
• Concluding Statement:

• See PerfectParagraph also

figures

• use different kinds of figures, bar, table, scatter, plot
• use one figure for multiple examples if figure is simple
• use simple figure
• descriptive captions
• label important areas on graphs

Title - 1 or 2 lines

• descriptive
• not too complex
• fits on one line
• may represent an activity doing, using
• or be passive, description
• if on two lines
• focus
• area of work

Abstract - 1 or 2 paragraphs

• 1 sentence for each topic in introduction
• Focus the problem
• motivate
  • are other solutions are lacking
• propose solution (but it is not necessary to provide any details)
• establish contributions
• don't put numbers unless stellar

Introduction - finish off the rest of the first page

• Motivation
• why this is hard
• why this is important
• why this contribution is stellar
• why this is a must have solution
• make contributions apparent
• road map
• use a figure

Related Work

• place at beginning if you are comparing to related work
• may be placed at the end if not needed for motivation
• start with an overview or large focus
• continue toward work that is more closely related to this work
• make sure to address PC related work
• point out weaknesses in related work, be nice, don't bash
  • if possible present shortcomings that the authors pointed out
• categorize if possible
• use a figure

Background

• set the stage
• describe things as you would to a layman.
  • someone not even in MANET
• use a figure

Problem Formulation and Design

• characterize a good approach - that is your solution
• describe goals needed for a good solution
• lead the reader
• state assumptions, maybe bullet
• use an example
• categorize methodology
• describe enhancements but better yet push into protocol
• use a figure

Performance Evaluation - Simulation

• describe settings and parameters used and why
• define metrics and why they are important
• motivate why scenarios are important
  • actually you should have lead up to them through the paper
• break into multiple subsections
• graphs
  • motivate why it is important
  • lots of different types of graphs
• good descriptions
• every graph should highlight advantage over previous results
• summarize results

Experiences

• use sparingly, and only if interesting
• may be appropriate for tech report or magazines
• perhaps an emphasis can be found to SPIN

Conclusions - 1/2 page

• restate the problem
• reiterate solution
• say that your solution is good or put numbers
• contributions and results, maybe bullet
• future work - may be left out