Flipped Learning Task: Mastering Academic Writing - Reflection and Application

This blog is a flipped learning task on academic writing. The reflection and application written below will be my understanding of the video lectures on academic writing.

1. "Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay"
2. "Academic Writing: The Basics: Atanu Bhattacharya"
3. "Academic Writing: The Mechanics: Atanu Bhattacharya"

What is Academic Writing?

Academic writing is a structured process aimed at generating new knowledge through analysis and evidence. Unlike informal writing, which flows freely, academic writing is formal, objective, and precise. Key features include

• Formal Vocabulary: Uses terms like "posing a challenge" or "replicated" instead of everyday language. Other formal terms or phrases mentioned in examples include "replicated," "confined to," "appear," and "findings appear". This contrasts with the everyday language often used in informal writing

• Objective and Cautious Tone: Avoids emotive or strong opinions; uses hedging (e.g., "may suggest," "appears to be") and passive voice to maintain neutrality.

• References and Citations: Cites sources using formats like MLA, APA, or Chicago to support claims. Padding should be avoided in all research writing. Instead, researchers should critically engage with existing arguments—either accepting or rejecting them—and support their own positions with well-reasoned, evidence-based arguments (Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay).

• Definition of Terms: Clearly defines key concepts to establish research context.

• Structured Organization: Follows clear paragraph patterns (topic, support, conclusion) with logical connectors (e.g., "however," "therefore") to guide the reader.

Academic writing is typically structured, with clear paragraph organization often following a pattern of a topic sentence, supporting sentences (evidence/extracts), and a concluding sentence that summarizes the argument or shows progression without merely repeating the topic sentence. Signalling expressions like "however," "although," or "therefore" are used, albeit selectively, to guide the reader through the argument's flow.

Structure and Organisation: 

Effective paragraph structure is crucial in academic writing. A typical paragraph develops a particular aspect or idea. It often begins with a topic sentence that states the main point or problem. This is followed by supporting sentences which provide evidence, extracts, or arguments to develop the point made in the topical sentence. The paragraph concludes with a concluding sentence. Importantly, the concluding sentence should not simply repeat the topical sentence but should either summarize the argument or show the progression made within the paragraph. Signalling expressions, such as "however," "although," "because of," or "therefore," are used to guide the reader through the flow of the argument. They can indicate the end of an argument or a shift in thought. However, these expressions should be used selectively and carefully. Overuse of signalling expressions can make the writing seem too mechanical and can indicate that the argument is not flowing naturally. They should be used strategically, for instance, when shifting from one argument to another or when presenting supporting evidence.

Critical Writing: 

Writing Critically means making the best use of the material consulted and it involves four steps

1. Careful Thoughts

2. Analysis

3. Comparison

4. Decision Making

 Critical writing involves several processes: careful thought, analysis, comparison, and decision-making. It requires you to question existing opinions or positions presented in the literature. You analyse these opinions, compare them with others, and then make a decision about which perspective you will accept or reject, or how you will build upon them. Establishing your own "voice" or position in your writing is essential. This voice doesn't come from stating personal feelings or subjective opinions directly. Instead, your voice is established through the analysis and interpretation of the sources you have consulted. By carefully thinking about, analysing, and comparing the views of other critics or researchers, and then deciding on your own perspective based on this engagement, you build your unique position. Your argument is then supported by drawing on these sources and evidence. It involves presenting your claims and supporting them with evidence from the sources. You must justify your position or the reach of your research based on the analysis.

Literature Review and Justification: 

The literature review plays a vital role in academic writing. It involves consulting and reading existing scholarly work related to your topic. This process provides you with new ideas and opinions. It is crucial because it is directly related to your research question and helps you to develop your own argument. (Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay).

You engage with the opinions and arguments found in the literature, analysing and comparing them to build the foundation for your own work.  (Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay) (Academic Writing: The Mechanics: Atanu Bhattacharya).

The literature review also helps to justify your research questions and arguments by showing how your work connects to, builds upon, or diverges from existing scholarship. It contextualises your research within the broader field. The process involves integrating existing research into your argument, not just providing a simple summary.

Research Methodology:

Triangulation is mentioned as a method to strengthen findings, especially in social sciences, by looking at the research from multiple angles, which could include using different types of data, theories, methods, or perspectives. The distinction between primary and secondary sources is discussed. Primary sources are the main texts or data you are analysing (like a syllabus or a novel), while secondary sources are the scholarly works (papers, books) that discuss these primary sources or your topic. Data collection methods like questionnaires and interviews are also mentioned. Questionnaires can be used to gather opinions from a large number of people, but interviews can provide deeper, more nuanced insights into perspectives. These methods are linked to academic writing as they provide the evidence and data used to support the arguments and findings presented in the research paper or thesis.

Clarity and Accessibility: 

Clear and accessible language is paramount in academic writing. Academic writing should not be overly dense with jargon or technical terms that make it difficult for the intended audience to understand. Lack of clarity can have "very, very serious consequences". It's important to use language that is understandable and to clearly define key terms and concepts. While formal vocabulary is used, it should not come at the expense of clarity. 

Learning outcomes:

• Practicing the Mechanics: The importance of consciously practicing the principles of academic writing, starting with assignments and gradually applying them to larger works like a thesis.
• Structured Writing: Understanding and applying effective paragraph structure (topical, supporting, concluding sentences) to build clear arguments.
• Critical Engagement: Learning to read and engage with sources critically – analysing, comparing, questioning, and making informed decisions – rather than just summarising. This is fundamental to establishing one's own voice.
• Literature Review Integration: Recognising the literature review not as a separate summary task but as an integral part of building and justifying one's own research and arguments.
• Justification: The constant need to justify claims, choices, and the research topic itself based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• Defining Scope: Clearly defining the scope and rationale of the research from the outset.
• Clarity and Audience: Striving for clarity, avoiding unnecessary jargon, and ensuring the writing is accessible to the intended scholarly audience.
• Utilising Resources: Leveraging available resources such as libraries (physical and digital), online tools, and consulting with supervisors or experienced academics.
• Learning from Examples: Reading published academic articles and journals to learn different writing styles and approaches.

1. Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay

2."Academic Writing: The Basics: Atanu Bhattacharya"

3. Academic Writing: The Mechanics: Atanu Bhattacharya

References:

Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay. Directed by Kalyan Chattopadhayay and MKBU DoE, 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3mk0ufTdA.

Academic Writing: The Basics: Atanu Bhattacharya. Directed by Atanu Bhattacharya and DoE MKBU, 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpVre1V6cxw.

Academic Writing: The Mechanics: Atanu Bhattacharya. Directed by Atanu Bhattacharya, 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHCikaKKm48.