ENG 112 Unit 1 Notes: Academic Writing, Research Skills, Thesis & MLA Guide

ENG 112 – Unit 1 Notes: Introduction to
Academic Research & Writing
1. Purpose of Academic Writing


●​ Academic writing is formal, evidence-based, and audience-focused.​

●​ Unlike casual writing, it emphasizes:​

○​ Clear thesis statement​

○​ Logical organization​

○​ Proper use of sources​

●​ Goal: persuade, inform, or analyze using credible evidence.​



Key idea: Academic writing is not just stating opinions; it’s about supporting ideas with research.




2. The Writing Process


1.​ Prewriting​

○​ Brainstorm ideas​

○​ Identify purpose & audience​

○​ Develop research questions​

2.​ Drafting​

○​ Start with a rough outline​

, ○​ Write the introduction with a clear thesis​

○​ Include supporting paragraphs with evidence​

3.​ Revising​

○​ Check flow, clarity, and argument strength​

○​ Make sure each paragraph connects to the thesis​

4.​ Editing​

○​ Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure​

○​ Proper formatting (MLA/APA)​

5.​ Publishing / Final Submission​

○​ Ensure citations are correct​

○​ Check formatting and readability​




Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute — research takes time, and good writing is
revised multiple times.



3. Thesis Statements


●​ A thesis statement is a single sentence that states your argument or main idea.​

●​ It should be:​

○​ Specific, not too broad​

○​ Arguable (not just a fact)​

○​ Supported with evidence from sources​