Academic Writing

  Academic Writing

Video 1: Academic Writing: Kalyan Chattopadhyay

In the video, Kalyan Chattopadhyay sheds light on the essential features of academic writing. Critical writing differs significantly from creative and other forms of writing. What sets it apart is its objective tone, the frequent use of passive voice, and the strategic application of language markers. Academic writing typically follows a structured approach: it begins with a topical sentence, which is then supported by well-reasoned arguments. These arguments lead to a conclusion that does not simply repeat the topical sentence but rather reflects a critical engagement with it. As Professor Chattopadhyay emphasizes, merely restating the topical sentence in the conclusion weakens the overall quality of academic writing.

Another key aspect he discusses is the use of signaling expressions such as however, notwithstanding, and although. These expressions are vital for transitioning between ideas and introducing counterarguments or shifts in reasoning. For instance, in the context of my research on cartography, Reuschel highlights that spatial uncertainties arise when mapping literary texts due to the presence of imaginary locations. However, a deep analysis of the author’s descriptions can enable a cartographer to conceptualize and possibly locate these imagined places. In Gun Island, Amitav Ghosh mentions several fictional islands. Although these places do not exist in reality, a close reading of the geographical descriptions allows one to associate them with real locations within the Sundarbans.

The use of expressions like however and although helps in creating logical transitions and argument shifts. Yet, as Professor Chattopadhyay warns, the overuse of such expressions can make the writing unnecessarily complex and harder to follow. Therefore, they must be used judiciously.

Furthermore, posing questions is an essential component of academic writing. A researcher must attempt to answer these questions through supporting arguments. These are not limited to the main research questions posed at the beginning of the study, but also include questions that arise in response to existing scholarly arguments. Raising and addressing such questions allows the researcher to establish their own voice, which is crucial to the value and originality of any research work.

Video 2: Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya

In this video, Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya discusses the fundamentals of academic writing, covering key aspects such as what not to do, what can be done, the use of web tools, and a case study.

What Not to Do:

Professor Bhattacharya begins by referencing the well-known article Transgressing Boundaries: Towards a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity by Alan Sokal. He uses this example to critique the overuse of jargon in academic writing. Sokal’s article, written as a parody, strings together complex jargon and critical terms that make it nearly incomprehensible. His aim was to demonstrate that academic writing often prioritizes style over clarity, making it inaccessible. This highlights a key issue: if a piece of research cannot be understood by others due to excessive jargon, its value is greatly diminished. Professor Bhattacharya emphasizes that academic writing should not intimidate writers or readers—it should aim to communicate ideas effectively, not obscure them.

What Can Be Done:

To illustrate the ethical importance of academic writing, Bhattacharya refers to a case from Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer. He discusses a researcher whose research, a supposed cure for breast cancer, gained global attention, only to be later revealed as based on fabricated data and experiments. While academic and scientific fields may differ in methodology, both carry serious ethical responsibilities. Creating imaginary data or making unsupported claims can have grave consequences in any discipline.

To promote effective academic writing, Professor Bhattacharya offers several practical tips:

Write the introduction last, once the arguments are clearly developed.

Create an indexed literature review, documenting every resource encountered, even those not immediately useful—they may become relevant later.

Apply triangulation: consider multiple perspectives or methods when examining a research problem.

Avoid repeating arguments, as redundancy weakens the coherence and impact of the work.

Web Tools:

He encourages the use of digital tools for conducting a comprehensive literature review. Emphasis is placed on using high-quality sources such as those found in UGC Care List Journals and Scopus-indexed Journals.

For my own research literature review, I have been using various web tools such as ONOS, OpenAlex, Litmaps, Connected Papers, Semantic Scholar, Taylor and Francis Online, and JSTOR. These platforms have proven extremely useful in helping me find quality academic material and will continue to aid my research going forward.

Additionally, Professor Bhattacharya recommends tools that assist with language and writing clarity. Resources like Grammarly and AI-based platforms such as ChatGPT are valuable for refining the language and structure of academic texts.

He also addresses the critical issue of plagiarism, discussing its various forms and emphasizing the importance of originality and proper citation in research work.

Case Study:

In the final part of the video, Professor Bhattacharya discusses a case study, which I relate to my own research. My topic is The Digital Cartographic Study of Amitav Ghosh’s Novels. While exploring this field, I discovered that there is minimal existing scholarship directly related to this area. This lack of secondary material initially seemed like a barrier. However, as he suggests, such situations can be opportunities. In my case, it involves delving deeply into the broader field of cartography, understanding the historical evolution of mapping in fiction, reviewing recent discussions around digital cartography, and identifying tools and software for map-making. By connecting theoretical frameworks with practical mapping tools, I aim to contribute to this underexplored research area.

This approach exemplifies how a researcher can navigate limited secondary literature by broadening their inquiry and establishing a foundation through interdisciplinary study.

Video 3: The Mechanics of Writing- Atanu Bhattacharya 

In this video, Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya discusses the Mechanics of Academic Writing, focusing on the importance of defining propositions, structuring research, and developing a critical voice.

He begins by emphasizing the role of formulating propositions and definitions in research. A researcher often needs to define key terms and concepts to support their arguments. Academic writing is not about stating absolute truths but exploring what might be true. Hence, phrases like "can be," "defined as," and "is often defined as" are useful in framing arguments.

Prof. Bhattacharya stresses that research should follow a clear structure: rationale, purpose, justification, literature review, methodology, arguments, and conclusion. While engaging with critics’ ideas, it is essential to paraphrase their views rather than directly quoting them, thereby avoiding plagiarism and building one’s own scholarly voice—what he refers to as “standing on the shoulders of giants.”

In the introduction, the rationale and a topical sentence (as suggested by Prof. Kalyan Chattopadhyay) should be clearly stated, followed by structured arguments and a well-developed conclusion.

Taking a stance is a critical aspect of academic writing. A researcher may agree, disagree, or partially agree with other scholars. Words like "generally," "apparently," and "arguably" help in expressing these nuanced positions. Hedging language, such as "seems," "appears," or "can be said," softens claims, acknowledging that the conclusions may not be definitive and other perspectives may exist.

Using the passive voice is also a strategy to hedge one’s stance and avoid sounding overly assertive.

Finally, Prof. Bhattacharya explains how to structure arguments within a research paper:

If the outcome supports the researcher’s claim, present the supporting arguments first, followed by analysis and reinforcement of how they uphold the main idea.

If the outcome challenges the researcher’s claim, it is crucial to first present and examine the existing supporting views, then offer critical evaluation, and finally introduce counterarguments with reasoning that supports the researcher's new position or modified stance.

This approach ensures that the research is balanced, analytical, and critically engaged with multiple viewpoints.

References:

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

DoE-MKBU, and Atanu Bhattacharya. Academic Writing: The Mechanics: Atanu Bhattacharya. 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHCikaKKm48.

DoE-MKBU, and Kalyan Chattopadhyay. Academic Writing - Kalyan Chattopadhyay. 2020. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT3mk0ufTdA&t=1s.