Study and Research Skills Portfolio: Academic Writing Tasks

This portfolio showcases a student's understanding of key study and research skills. It begins by defining citations and references, emphasizing their importance in academic writing. The portfolio then delves into paraphrasing, explaining its significance and providing guidance on effective techniques, including understanding the content, using synonyms, and altering sentence structure. It addresses academic style, highlighting its impersonal nature and formal tone, and differentiates it from personal writing. The portfolio also covers synthesizing information from multiple sources, distinguishing between explanatory and argumentative synthesis. Finally, it explores source evaluation, discussing different evaluation factors and the importance of using authentic sources. The portfolio includes references to academic journals and books, demonstrating the student's engagement with scholarly literature. This portfolio is a valuable resource for students looking to improve their academic writing and research abilities, offering insights into citations, paraphrasing, synthesizing, and source evaluation.

Study and Research Skills
AS1 Portfolio

Table of Contents
Task 1. What are citations and references? (100 words).................................................................3
Task 3. Paraphrasing task (150 words)............................................................................................3
Task 5: Academic Style task (100 words).......................................................................................3
Task 6: Synthesizing task (150 words)............................................................................................3
Task 8: Source Evaluation task (200 words)...................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Task 1. What are citations and references? (100 words)
There is requirement of some source which provides knowledge about writer of articles.
Citation and reference are two examples which shows authentication of document. These are two
ways which add some value to the document.
References- Reference is done at the end of file. I feel, it is essential that individual who
is preparing project has to authorize list by mentioning name of writer. Harvard and Chicago
style of referencing are examples of referencing (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2010).
Citation- Citation is the part of reference, which is done in between of file. It tells us
about person who is saying this sentences. Citation provides intellectual right to writer.
Task 3. Paraphrasing task (150 words)
Paraphrasing means to tell about something, but with different words, texts, etc. It is
important skills used in IELTS writing. There is use of different sources because there is no
repetition of words. If so, then there is reduction in marks. To paraphrase it is essential that
writer must give emphasis on understanding what content is saying and then apply it in own
words. There must command on English and regional language, so reader can understand easily.
It is important that grammar must be strong so it delivers proper means which writer wants to
convey. Synonyms and change word order, alteration in word form, etc. are important aspects
which helps in paraphrasing in more appropriate manner (Anderson, Steen and Stavropoulos,
2017). While paraphrasing sentences must be changed from active to passive voice. Sentences
must be small and gives proper meaning. It is important that sentences must be linked with each
other.
Task 5: Academic Style task (100 words)
Academic writing is impersonal style which targets limited group of people which talks
about some topic. It is essential that writer must have deep knowledge about it. There is one
variation between facts written and thoughts of people. There is use of newspaper, journalism,
speeches, etc. There is many things which are different from personal writing. Sometimes tropics
discussed in academic styles are issue which is reason of discussion among people. There is
some formal order followed to write file and there is some specific tome which has to be
followed. It is essential that writer must stick to some benchmarks of grammar, punctuation, etc.
Literary Analysis, research paper, dissertation, etc. are some examples of academic style. In this
style writer has to be focused (Dabbagh and Kitsantas, 2012).
Task 6: Synthesizing task (150 words)
Synthesizing writing is about collection of information from different sources and
compile it in better form. I can create interrelation between these topics and share my views. This
styles says that information can be collected from different sources but it is essential to prepare
document in predetermined form. There is use of different academic and non academic
knowledge which can be used in proper manner to compile project. I can use my own knowledge

to perform task in better way, it is essential to make task proper and clear to reader. There are
two types of synthesis-
Explanatory synthesis- I use this type when topic is tough and I want to make it clear to
reader. This style is preferable because this talks about general way which helps in including all
points which are understood by reader. This style reduces that chances of arguments.
Argument synthesis- In this style I can give my own views about topic. Obviously, in
relevant context, of course are some jargon used by writer to give views. There are possibility of
debate between two people having opposite thoughts (Kitchenham, Budgen and Brereton,
2011).
Task 8: Source Evaluation task (200 words)
There are many policies which has to be taken in care whole writing a report. There are
different sources of evaluation which help me to know how to improve my writing skills. There
are different factors which has positive as well negative results on my performance. There is
difference in evaluation of task as per perception of workers (Ozonoff and et. al., 2011).
I done my higher education from central board with good marks. This helps me to judge
performance and give my best. There is use of different knowledge in preparing documents.
References can be taken from some authentic sources which provide weight-age to my work.
There are different aspects which I use to give my views related to topic. I prepared documents
with the help of different academic studies, which helps me to give my best and apply all skills
in writing best content. There are possibilities in case of debate among people, their is need of
proper cooperation. It evaluation is important as this tells about change in business environment
and preference of people. Sometimes this helps in increasing quality of document (Quinney and
Parker, 2010).

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Academy of Science of South Africa, 2010. The PhD study: An evidence-based study on how to
meet the demands for high-level skills in an emerging economy.
Anderson, E. L., Steen, E. and Stavropoulos, V., 2017. Internet use and Problematic Internet
Use: A systematic review of longitudinal research trends in adolescence and emergent
adulthood. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. 22(4). pp.430-454.
Dabbagh, N. and Kitsantas, A., 2012. Personal Learning Environments, social media, and self-
regulated learning: A natural formula for connecting formal and informal learning. The
Internet and higher education. 15(1). pp.3-8.
Kitchenham, B. A., Budgen, D. and Brereton, O. P., 2011. Using mapping studies as the basis for
further research–a participant-observer case study. Information and Software
Technology. 53(6). pp.638-651.
Ozonoff, S. and et. al., 2011. Recurrence risk for autism spectrum disorders: a Baby Siblings
Research Consortium study. Pediatrics. 128(3). pp.e488-e495.
Quinney, A. and Parker, J., 2010. Developing self efficacy in research skills: becoming research-
minded.
Online
Definition of Academic Writing. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-definitions/definition-of-academic-writing.html >.