Flipped Learning Task: Mastering Academic Writing - Reflection and Application

 Academic Writing

Video 1: Academic Writing: Kalyan Chattopadhyay

Video 2: Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya

Video 3: The Mechanics of Writing- Atanu Bhattacharya 

Video Based Analysis

Defining Academic Writing

Academic writing stands apart from creative or informal writing due to its formal structure, objective tone, frequent use of passive voice, and strategic use of language markers. The passive voice should be used to objectify research writing. 

 Academic writing focuses on answering research questions with structured arguments, not just at the outset but throughout the work, especially in response to existing scholarship. This process enables researchers to establish their own voice and demonstrate originality.

Structure and Organisation

For strcturing and organising research Atanu sir mentions Swaler's CARS Model that includes, Definition, justification, literature review, methodology, arguments, and conclusion. He emphasizes the importance of paraphrasing critics’ views rather than quoting them directly to avoid plagiarism and to cultivate a personal academic voice—what he describes as “standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Academic writing adheres to a structured format—beginning with a topical sentence, followed by logical supporting arguments, and concluding with a statement that reflects critical insight. Signaling expressions such as however, although, and notwithstanding guide the reader through logical shifts. For instance, in 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.”

Caution must be taken, however, to avoid overusing such expressions, as they may add unnecessary complexity. 

Depending on whether research findings support or oppose a hypothesis, the structure of argumentation changes:

• If supportive: present evidence first, followed by analysis and reinforcement.

• If challenging: begin with prevailing opinions, critically evaluate them, and then introduce counterarguments with reasoning that aligns with the revised position.

Critical Writing

Critical writing entails thoughtful analysis, comparison, questioning existing viewpoints, and establishing one’s stance. A key component is posing and addressing questions—not only the primary research questions but also those arising from engagement with existing literature. This approach helps develop the writer’s critical voice and contributes to originality. 

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. For example, in Gun Island,  associating fictional places with real locations in the Sundarbans, demonstrating how close reading enables analytical insight.

Literature Review and Justification

A literature review involves critically examining existing research. It is akin to standing on the shoulders of giants—building upon the foundational work of others to develop and support your own arguments. Effective research requires a thorough understanding of prior studies in the field, as well as a careful evaluation of the sources being cited.

For instance, Professor Bhattacharya references a case from The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. The book recounts the story of a researcher who claimed to have found a cure for breast cancer. His work received global acclaim, only for it to be later exposed as based on falsified data and fabricated experiments.

Although academic disciplines may differ in their methodologies, all fields share a commitment to ethical integrity. Fabricating data or making unsupported assertions undermines the credibility of research and can lead to serious consequences—both within the scholarly community and in the broader society.

Maintaining an indexed literature review is equally essential, even including sources that are ultimately unused. In reference to Atanu sir's Case study of lack of secondary material if i apply it in my research....

In my research on Amitav Ghosh’s novels, I initially found limited scholarship on digital cartography. Addressing this gap by broadening my review to include studies on mapping in fiction, the historical evolution of cartography, and digital mapping tools, his gap became an opportunity to make an original contribution by integrating theory with digital practices.

While conducting the literature review, I am accessing on academic databases and platforms such as UGC Care List Journals, Scopus-indexed Journals, ONOS, OpenAlex, Litmaps, Connected Papers, Semantic Scholar, Taylor and Francis Online, and JSTOR—tools that continue to support the depth and credibility of my research.

Research Methods

 Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya also introduces triangulation—using multiple perspectives (data, method, theory) to approach a research problem. Additionally, ethical considerations in data usage and the role of passive voice and hedging in presenting nuanced arguments are highlighted. A structured approach to organizing arguments ensures logical flow and critical engagement.

Close reading/textual analysis: 

Paraphrasing: engaging with scholarship while avoiding plagiarism 

Use of passive voice and hedging: to maintain balance and avoid overassertion 

Use of Digital tools: using platforms for citation mapping and literature analysis 

 These methods show how research blends qualitative analysis, ethical practice, and digital literacy. 

Clarity and Accessibility:

Prof. Atanu Bhattacharya critiques the excessive use of jargon through the example of Sokal’s parody article, which mimicked academic writing filled with obscure terminology to expose its inaccessibility. This underscores the importance of clarity—academic writing should not alienate readers but aim to communicate ideas effectively. Research loses value if it cannot be understood due to complex language. Hence, accessibility and simplicity are key to meaningful scholarship.

Accessing quality resources is equally essential, what make the research stronger. The platforms like JSTOR, Taylor and Francis, 

ONOS provide quality research resources to refer.

Key Learnings and Application

• Avoiding jargon 

• Questioning the critical arguments and establishing the scholarly voice

• Creating an indexed literature review

• Keeping track of findings

• Employing triangulation

• Preventing repetitive argumentation

• Using web tools 

• Maintaining ethical standards and originality

In my research on digital cartography in Amitav Ghosh’s novels, I have been applying these principles by:

• Exploring broader discussions on mapping in fiction

• Identifying tools and software for map-making

• Merging theoretical insights with digital tools to contribute to an underexplored academic area

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.