Manifold Atlas:Instructions for writing
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This page describes the scientific writing style of the Manifold Atlas. You may also wish to read about [[Manifold Atlas:Writing groups|writing groups]]. | This page describes the scientific writing style of the Manifold Atlas. You may also wish to read about [[Manifold Atlas:Writing groups|writing groups]]. | ||
== Scientific style == | == Scientific style == | ||
| − | * The Manifold Atlas aims to be | + | * The Manifold Atlas aims to be a '''reliable scientific reference''' for researchers and students of manifolds. |
* Please write rigorously and clearly for a '''topologically literate audience''': | * Please write rigorously and clearly for a '''topologically literate audience''': | ||
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* Please give proofs or references to '''peer-reviewed journals''' for all non-elementary statements. | * Please give proofs or references to '''peer-reviewed journals''' for all non-elementary statements. | ||
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* For articles in the [[:Category:Manifolds|Manifolds]] chapter please review the [[Manifold Atlas:Structure of a Manifolds page|suggested structure]]. | * For articles in the [[:Category:Manifolds|Manifolds]] chapter please review the [[Manifold Atlas:Structure of a Manifolds page|suggested structure]]. | ||
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***later on you, or other users, can fill in the links to make them active. | ***later on you, or other users, can fill in the links to make them active. | ||
| − | === Linking to Wikipedia === | + | === Linking to Wikipedia and other web resources === |
| − | * [[Wikipedia:|Wikipedia]] already contains a great wealth of mathematical | + | * [[Wikipedia:|Wikipedia]] and other web resources already contains a great wealth of mathematical information and there is no point in duplicating this content in the Atlas. |
* Atlas articles will differ from Wikipedia articles in that they assume a higher level of mathematical background and will typically discuss manifolds in greater depth and with greater precision than Wikipedia. | * Atlas articles will differ from Wikipedia articles in that they assume a higher level of mathematical background and will typically discuss manifolds in greater depth and with greater precision than Wikipedia. | ||
| − | * A good heuristic for linking to | + | * A good heuristic for linking to the web is the following: |
| − | ** use | + | ** use links to Wikipedia and other external web-sites define terms and concepts, assuming the definition their is adequate, but, |
** do not use Wikipedia as a reference: refer to peer-reviewed mathematical literature. | ** do not use Wikipedia as a reference: refer to peer-reviewed mathematical literature. | ||
* We hope that there will be a positive synergy between Wikipedia and the Atlas: | * We hope that there will be a positive synergy between Wikipedia and the Atlas: | ||
** Atlas authors may wish to improve and add to Wikipedia articles to define the terms they use, | ** Atlas authors may wish to improve and add to Wikipedia articles to define the terms they use, | ||
** hopefully in time, Wikipedia can link and refer to articles in the Atlas. | ** hopefully in time, Wikipedia can link and refer to articles in the Atlas. | ||
Revision as of 14:20, 28 September 2009
This page describes the scientific writing style of the Manifold Atlas. You may also wish to read about writing groups.
Contents |
1 Scientific style
- The Manifold Atlas aims to be a reliable scientific reference for researchers and students of manifolds.
- Please write rigorously and clearly for a topologically literate audience:
- i.e. assume that your reader has taken relevant introductory graduate level courses for the area you are covering.
- Please give proofs or references to peer-reviewed journals for all non-elementary statements.
- For articles in the Manifolds chapter please review the suggested structure.
2 The evolution of a page
- It will typically take many edits for a page to reach maturity.
- New and young pages bear the Stub template indicating that they are under development.
- After a page reaches maturity, the editorial board will organise for it to be refereed.
3 Hyperlinks
- A well-written article will find a good balance between the following extremes:
- too few hyperlinks and your document is somewhat of a dead-end,
- too many hyperlinks make texts hard to read and can distract the reader.
- Here are some guides for using hyperlinks:
- you can use hyperlinks to both define and emphasise key concepts,
- you only need to link a give page once per page or section, unless emphasis is sought,
- broken hyperlinks, appearing in red, can be useful: they indicate pages you think should exist but don't right now.
- for ease of writing on your first draft, simply write your hyperlink as [[intended link]]:
- later on you, or other users, can fill in the links to make them active.
3.1 Linking to Wikipedia and other web resources
- Wikipedia and other web resources already contains a great wealth of mathematical information and there is no point in duplicating this content in the Atlas.
- Atlas articles will differ from Wikipedia articles in that they assume a higher level of mathematical background and will typically discuss manifolds in greater depth and with greater precision than Wikipedia.
- A good heuristic for linking to the web is the following:
- use links to Wikipedia and other external web-sites define terms and concepts, assuming the definition their is adequate, but,
- do not use Wikipedia as a reference: refer to peer-reviewed mathematical literature.
- We hope that there will be a positive synergy between Wikipedia and the Atlas:
- Atlas authors may wish to improve and add to Wikipedia articles to define the terms they use,
- hopefully in time, Wikipedia can link and refer to articles in the Atlas.
