Guidelines for Developing a Paper

 

DEADLINE February 8, 2008

Please read these guidelines carefully before beginning to write your paper.

CONGRATULATIONS!!  You’ve been selected by PMA’s Conference Committee to speak at the Regional METALFORM Conference in Birmingham.  To complement your speaker experience, you are also invited to submit a technical paper to PMA.

Your paper will be published electronically in technical proceedings that combine papers received from conference and PMA seminar speakers, and other industry experts.  This comprehensive body of metalforming knowledge will be provided to Conference participants and offered to the industry as a valuable technical resource.  It may also be considered for publication, in whole or in part, in MetalForming magazine.  If it is selected as a potential magazine article, you may be contacted by the editors for further development.

The following guidelines have been established to assist you in preparing your technical paper.

 

PREPARING YOUR THOUGHTS

  • Your paper should benefit the reader by explaining in logical terms the meaning of a new technology, method or idea. The basis for a paper might be a research program, theoretical study or advancement(s) in new or existing technologies.
  • Your paper should be based on the technology covered in your conference presentation, though you may expand the scope to a related subject or a new development in your general area of expertise.
  • Your paper may take the form of a case study or factual report on important advancements, research or theories.  In any instance, your paper should be of general interest to the metalforming industry.
  • Write clearly.  Make your paper interesting by saying things simply.  Define technical terms and use examples and simple analogies whenever possible to explain complicated methods or concepts.
 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Your paper should be completely free of commercialism.  Submitting a paper is not an invitation to sell a particular product or service, but rather an opportunity to advance information and promote new understanding. (See “What is Meant by Noncommercial.”)
  • If you have prepared a paper in the past, you’re advised that the content of this year’s paper MUST be substantially different than before.  Papers that are resubmitted or simply reformatted CANNOT be accepted.
  • Printed copies of PowerPoint slides or overhead transparencies will NOT be considered.

 

FORMAT

  • All papers must be submitted electronically in Word document format using 12 point Times New Roman font.  Your submission will be copied directly onto the electronic format, so please be careful to make certain the information is accurate and contents are displayed properly. 
  • In general, your paper should not be shorter than 5 pages, nor longer than 15.  Simply put, a good paper is only as long as it needs to be to cover the subject.
  • The title of your paper should be underlined or appear in bold type at the very beginning of the paper.
  • You may choose to list your name, professional title, and company affiliation, mailing address, phone/fax numbers and e-mail address at either the beginning or end of your paper.
  • Your paper should include an introduction that explains what is to be covered in it.  Use headings and subheadings to organize your paper and guide the reader.
  • Paragraphs should be indented 5 spaces.
  • Text should be single-spaced.
  • Proofread your paper for content, style and grammar! 

 

ILLUSTRATIONS

  • Line drawings, graphs, tables, photos and other forms of illustration are desirable.  Please be sure all graphics are clear and readable.
  • A description or caption should accompany each illustration.  Illustrations may be incorporated directly into your paper or compiled at the end provided they are properly referenced.


OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

  • Precision Metalforming Association will obtain a registered copyright on all published material.
  • It is your responsibility to obtain all clearances and approvals necessary for the publication of the information contained in your paper.
  • Articles from other publications may be submitted as a paper, provided the article is reformatted to conform to these guidelines.  It is your responsibility to obtain permission from the publisher and properly acknowledge the source in your paper.  Article reprints in their original form CANNOT be accepted.
  • All submitted materials will become the property of PMA and original art will be retained for safekeeping and possible future publication.
  • Upon written request to PMA, permission may be granted to non-competing publications to reprint a paper or portions of text.  Inquires should explain how material will be used as well as agree to credit PMA as the source of information.

 

SUBMISSION

  • Your paper must reach PMA no later than Friday, February 8, 2008.
  • Your paper should be e-mailed to Erin Peterman at epeterman@pma.org.
  • If you have specific questions or need assistance, contact Erin by phone at (216) 901-8800, fax at (216) 901-9190, or at the e-mail address above.

 

WHAT IS MEANT BY NONCOMMERCIAL?

A noncommercial paper is one in which the benefits of a particular technology, product or service are conveyed to readers in a nonspecific way. The intent of any paper should be primarily educational — always keeping the needs and interests of the reader foremost in mind.

The noncommercial writer avoids sales pitches or use of his/her company or product name. The aim of an effective paper always should be to promote good industry practice, not one’s company nor its products.

Here are some guidelines to help you make certain your paper is noncommercial:

  • Do NOT have your company logo, name, etc. on your pages.  You may use the logo, company name, etc., only once – at the beginning or end of your paper where you identify yourself.

 

  • Avoid the use of product trade names or references to “my company" or "our product."  It is never acceptable to make statements inviting business! 
  • Always refrain from making direct comparisons with competitive products. It may be acceptable to point-out the advantages and limitations of similar types of products, but be sure to be fair and balanced in your appraisal.

 

  • You should rightfully be proud of your product and the company you represent. Be sure to convey these qualities through professionalism and respect for the reader, and not through self-promotion.

Commercialism detracts from your paper and “cheapens” its overall quality.  All papers will be reviewed for commercialism and may be rejected if judged to be commercial in nature.

 

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