We obtain general formulae for the plus- and cross- polarized waveforms of
gravitational radiation emitted by a cosmic string loop in transverse,
traceless (synchronous, harmonic) gauge. These equations are then specialized
to the case of piecewise linear loops, and it is shown that the general
waveform for such a loop is a piecewise linear function. We give several simple
examples of the waveforms from such loops. We also discuss the relation between
the gravitational radiation by a smooth loop and by a piecewise linear
approximation to it.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, Revte
