ARJUN RAJ
The Professor as a Writer
About the Professor
Professor Raj received a BA from UC Berkeley and a PhD from NYU. He is currently an assistant professor at Penn and does research on the behavior of individual molecules within cells by using fluorescent probes to image them.
Important Criteria for Student Writing
Here is a list of what Professor Raj looks for first in a paper (in priority order):
*"Reasoning & Evidence and Original Ideas are more important than writing."
1) Organization
2) Style (He recommends a book called Style by John Williams.)
3) Grammar and Mechanics (Distant Third)
Professor Raj does not like the use of passive voice in scientific writing. Passive voice, however, is a convention in scientific writing. Therefore, it is necessary to check with your professor early in the semester to determine what he or she expects.
Personal Writing Process
Professor Raj's writing process involves a first draft followed by a small amount of revision.
MORE INFORMATION AND WRITING EXAMPLES
Arjun Raj's Page© 2013 The University of Pennsylvania
