This website uses cookies.

By clicking the "Accept" button or continuing to browse our site, you agree to first-party and session-only cookies being stored on your device to enhance site navigation and analyze site performance and traffic. For more information on our use of cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

  1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. Journal of Economic Literature
  4. March 1999
  5. The Young Person's Guide to Writing Economic Theory

Journal of Economic Literature

ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)

The Young Person's Guide to Writing Economic Theory

  • William Thomson
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 37, no. 1, March 1999
(pp. 157–183)
Download Full Text PDF

Abstract

I formulate recommendations to young authors for writing economic theory well. I state general principles of good writing, and emphasize the role of the different components of a paper and the importance of the structure of one's work being clear. I explain how to choose notation and language, and how to present and illustrate proofs.

Citation

Thomson, William. 1999. "The Young Person's Guide to Writing Economic Theory." Journal of Economic Literature, 37 (1): 157–183. DOI: 10.1257/jel.37.1.157

JEL Classification

  • A10 General Economics: General
  • B41 Economic Methodology