====== Writing Papers ======

  * Expectation for PhD candidates: At least 10 papers
  * For a PhD that takes 3 years beyond a MS this is
    * 3 new conference papers submitted per year (at least 2 accepted)
    * Each paper extended according to journal requirements
    * Extra slack to account for Comprehensive Exam and failed submissions
  * Consider that during a term we spend 50 percent time on research (100 in summer)
    * Generally I do not recommend many other summer activities (summer classes / jobs)
  * Be ready with one new paper for respective conference deadline (60% of your research effort)
    * KDD Feb
    * ICDM July
    * SIAM SDM Sept/Oct
  * Plan in time for
    * extended journal paper
    * possibly revised resubmissions (40% of your research)
    * camera-ready copies and presentations
  * Possible structure for paper writing process:
    - First Week - read
    - 1 Day draft 1-2 paragraphs of introduction
    - 2 Months - implement, test, and read more
    - 1/2 Day rethink 1-2 paragraphs of introduction
    - 1 Week - produce plots (respectable graphs)
    - 1/2 Day rethink 1-2 paragraphs of introduction
    - 1 Week - produce math (respectable equations)
    - 1/2 Day rethink 1-2 paragraphs of introduction
    - 1/2 Week - summarize literature
    - 1/2 Day rethink 1-2 paragraphs of introduction
    - 2 Weeks- write rest of paper
Notice that if an new idea appears in the process, finish original and then come back to the new idea in the next iteration.

  * Do not use phrasings that can be shot down!!!
    * "This is due to the fact that ...": "..." is probably not a fact
  * Do not compare apples and oranges
    * "Our algorithm is better than their paper": An algorithm is not a paper
  * For **EVERY SINGLE** paragraph know what is the idea that you want to get across
  * For every colloquial sentence go back and rephrase it in proper language
    * For example: "Every paragraph should clearly state and explain one idea"
  * Keep your writing simple
    * Plain "subject predicate object" sentences may seem boring but tend to be much clearer than alternatives
  * Expect to spend A LOT OF TIME on writing
  * Never think "I need a sentence on ABC, so I write a sentence on ABC"
    * Isolate the concept of the relationship between "ABC" and your work ("What does ABC have to do with what I'm writing?")