Re: Humor in research proposal

From: David Kastrup (dak_at_gnu.org)
Date: 09/27/04 

Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 14:54:03 +0200

caulagi@iiitb.ac.in (Pradip) writes:

> I have seen many documents which give guidelines for writing (PhD)
> research proposals. I am curious to have one point clarified -
>
> What do you think of humor in research proposals? Is it a good
> idea?
>
> For instance, if the section 'Problem definition' was renamed to
> 'Problem definition - the gory details'!? Or, 'Proof techniques'
> was altered as 'Proof techniques - grappling the bear'!?

In general, I'd consider it a bad idea in this bland way. Use of
humor is certainly appropriate if it brings across that the readers
are dealing with an intelligent person, not if it brings across that
they are dealing with a funny person, or one that is not to be taken
seriously.

In short, your examples appear far too unsubtle for my taste to make
me want to recommend the use of humor to you. 

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum

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