Clear communication is an essential skill for success in mathematics, yet many undergraduates enter college-level courses without experience in writing solutions that are both clear and well-structured. This talk will explore strategies instructors can use to help learners begin developing effective communication practices as early as the calculus sequence, not just in proof-based courses. We will discuss the role of short phrases in guiding the reader, the importance of balancing notation with words, and techniques for establishing a logical flow that allows solutions to stand on their own. I will highlight a communication activity I have used in a multivariable calculus course that scaffolds the development of these skills, recognizing that such expectations may be new to many students.
Developing Effective Communication Practices in Mathematics