This book is an invaluable guide for young economists working on their dissertations, preparing their first articles for submission to professional journals, getting ready for their first presentations at conferences and job seminars, or facing their first refereeing assignments. In clear, concise language--a model for what he advocates--William Thomson shows how to make written and oral presentations both inviting and efficient. Thomson covers the basics of clear exposition, including such nuts-and-bolts topics as titling papers, writing abstracts, presenting research results, and holding an audience's attention.

Chapter 1 Writing Papers 1. General Principles 2. Notation 3. Definitions 4. Models 5. Theorems and Proofs 6. Use Picture 7. Conclusion Chapter 2 Giving Talks 1. How Is an Oral Presentatrion Diffrent from 2. Preparing Yourself 3. Facing the Audience 4. Interacting with Audience 5. Transparencies 6. Proofs? 7. Writing on the Board 8. Conclusion 9. References Chapter 3 Writing Reference Report 1. Components of a Report 2. Distinguish between Nonnegotiable Request and Suggestions for Changes 3. Evaluating Revisions 4. Length and Style of the Report 5. The Cover Letter 6. General Recommendations 7. Deciding Whether to Accept a Refereeing Job 8. Benefits to You of Your Refereeing Work 9. Refereneces