How to Write and Submit a Conference Paper
OWISE Graduate Seminar September 17, 2010 Jenna P. Carpenter
Outline
• Select Your Topic • Write/Submit Your Abstract • Write/Submit Your Paper • Reviews: How to Use Them • References
Select Your Topic
• What are the types of papers/posters/presentations? • What topics are listed in the Call for Papers? • What aspect(s) of your work would be of interest to this audience? • What do abstracts and papers for this conference look like (check out past conference proceedings)? • Do you know anyone who has had a paper accepted for this conference? • Consider adding a co-author.
Writing and Submitting Your Abstract
• Re-read the requirements (word count, format, font, etc.) in the Call for Papers. • Briefly summarize the context, problem, approach, solution, future work (save details for the paper). • Highlight what is interesting about your work. • Use a professional tone and correct mechanics. • Use a descriptive and interesting title. • Have a mentor/colleague review your abstract for clarity and correctness. • Submit your abstract well before the deadline
Writing and Submitting Your Paper
• Your paper should include: Abstract, Introduction, Background, Main Body, Future Work, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, and References. • Follow the requirements for format, length, etc. • Use pictures, charts, tables, lists to communicate information, examples, data, results (number & title). • Start early, write several drafts, have a mentor or colleague review the paper, submit early. • Use a professional tone and correct mechanics.
Reviews and How to Use Them
• Less than glowing reviews are hard to accept… • …but reviews are an opportunity to improve your paper, as well as your overall communication skills. • Reviews reflect the personal tastes of the reviewer. • Some reviewers are more professional/helpful than others. • Share your reviews with a trusted mentor if you need assistance responding to them. • Submit your revised paper early.
General Tips
• You can submit papers on different aspects of your project to different conferences, but not the same paper to more than one conference! • Know the prestige/acceptance rate of the conference/papers – don’t aim too high or too low. • Check out special opportunities for graduate students. • Determine if a poster vs. a paper is the best fit. • Submit a poster & a paper (not on same topic!), attend a workshop, volunteer to moderate a session.
References
• How to Write an Academic Conference Paper (www.ehow.com/how_2301555_write-academicconference-paper.html) • Tips for Writing Technical Papers (infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/paper-writing.html) • Write and Submit a Conference Paper (www.spe.org/papers/authors/paper_proposal_gui delines.php) • Preparing a Paper to Deliver at a Conference (www.clt.uts.edu.au/Scholarship/Conference.pape r.htm)
Upcoming Events: Gumbofest – September 29 Next Seminar: Oct. 1 on Negotiation
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