1. Written Communication GES 131 April 25, 2005

2. Fact 1: Other people do not think like you. Fact: After you have solved a problem, you have invested time and effort in understanding the problem. Your reader has not. Implication: What is obvious to you is not obvious to your reader. Your notation (What is x?) Thought Process (How did you know to …?) How the math relates to the situation.

3. Fact 1: Other people do not think like you. Important Things To Do: 1. Define terms: x = distance from flagpole t = time 2. Draw and label figures. h w d 3. Explain your thought process: “I drew this line to form two right triangles.” “We added the support to hold up the tube.” 4. Identify math concepts. “Use the Pthagorean theorem”

4. Fact 2: Whenever you write you are answering a question. You may not know what the question is. Is this worth reading? Is this person on my side? Try to frame the questions yourself: So how do we find the height? How are the sides of a right triangle related? Why did you use a remote controlled car?

5. Fact 3: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Think about what you appreciate when you read something. What I appreciate: –A clear, well organized presentation with lots of figures/pictures. –Interesting details that hold my interest. –Put long lists in an appendix.

6. Start with a brief description of what you want to say and expand it. First write a 1 sentence description of your main point. Then write a 5 sentence version of your paper. Add diagrams and explain them. Expand each of these sentences into a section.