as Writing a Process Compared to Problem Solving
The Writing Process
Problem Solving (DPIC)
Planning and Outlines
The Writing Process
Describe Problem
Select Topic
restate; identify key questions
List Known Information
list equations, data, etc.
Plan an Approach
create flow chart, PERT, etc.
Implement the Plan
Check Results
evaluate reasonableness; check
assumptions
Chem 391 Advanced Writing Using Chemical Literature
References for Problem Solving & Writing
Fuller, R. Solving Physics Problemshow do we do
it? Physics Today, 1982, September, 43 47.
My original notes on writing as a process came from a
workshop at BYU by Kristine Hansen and Elizabeth
Hedengren. However, a good presentation on the subject
is at owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp/writproc.PPT
(Iterate from any steplet it sit)
Report Solution
invention; pre-writing
Collect Information
do experiments; read literature
Develop Thesis/Organize
choose approach; outline
Draft
Revise and Edit
review from point of view of
reader; proof; get feedback
(Iterate from any steplet it sit)
Publish
Why Outline or Diagram
To help you identify missing deficient or parts in your
work
To help you design logical structure to your writing
by breaking difficult or complex material into manageable
parts
by facilitating exploration of different arrangements of ideas
To free you to concentrate on writing when drafting
begins
To increase your efficiency and save time
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Example of a Formal Outline
Role of the All-Ferrous Iron Protein in Nitrogenase Catalysis
Abstract
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
A. Biological nitrogen fixation
B. MoFe protein site of substrate reduction
C. Fe protein
1.
Specific reductant to MoFe protein
2.
Three oxidation states
D. All-ferrous Fe protein
II. Discovery and Characterization of All-Ferrous Fe Protein
A. Formation by methyl viologen and Ti(III) citrate
B. Spectra
1. UV-Vis
2. EPR
3. Mssbauer
C. Structure x-ray crystallography
III. Nitrogenase Catalysis
A. Mechanism of enzyme catalysis
...
VI. Summary
VII. References
VIII. Tables
A. Redox states of the Fe protein
B. Reductants that form the all-ferrous Fe protein
IX.
Legends of Figures
X.
Figures
A. The MoFe protein
B. The Fe protein
...
E. Lag phase experiment by Hageman and Burris
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