Academic writing should be easy to read, with ideas logically connected from one sentence to the next. It should also have coherence between paragraphs. The concepts in the paper are interconnected systematically.

Ensuring your writing has flow, cohesion, and coherence contributes to clarity, reducing the chances of confusion. Flow and cohesion pertain to how individual words and sentences “fit together” effectively as a unit. Coherence involves maintaining broader consistency and logic as ideas build off one another.

When writing an introduction, ensure that it effectively communicates the topic of your paper and prepares your readers for what is to follow. Your introduction can be lengthy but should always be concise.

To ensure that your writing is clear and coherent, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• As a writer, you must guide your readers through your ideas. Your readers may not have the same background knowledge as you, so start with familiar concepts before introducing new ideas.
• The ‘old-to-new’ approach doesn’t mean you should guess what your reader already knows. Instead, treat anything you’ve mentioned in your writing as ‘old’ and all new concepts as ‘new’. A new idea loses its novelty after introducing it. You can use this idea as a groundwork for subsequent sentences and paragraphs.

It can sometimes be challenging to explain why a piece of writing flows, as many students see writing flow as a mysterious concept that only naturally talented writers can achieve.
‍
What is writing flow, and why is it important?

Many students grasp the importance of flow, even if they cannot explicitly define it. Many can sense when a paper is awkwardly written or wordy, conveying writing without formal instruction in this vocabulary.

We learned to appreciate the rhythmic quality of sentences constructed through reading time by our teachers and family. As a result, students may perceive poorly flowing writing as complex or tiresome to read, sensing the disconnect it creates between the author and the reader.

‍The concept of writing flow encompasses the logical structure and diverse language used within and between sentences and paragraphs. Flow indicates that a writer is at ease and possesses expertise not only in the chosen subject written about but also in the craft of writing itself.

Let’s dissect the various writing elements contributing to a written work’s overall flow.

Use Varied Sentence Structure in Writing

Fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices can detract from a sentence’s flow and often indicate that a student is having trouble recognizing where a sentence begins and ends.

Students can eliminate fragments and run-ons by practicing writing complex sentences using independent and dependent clauses.

When comma splices occur (joining two independent clauses with a comma), students can benefit from activities that focus on using compound sentences and conjunctions.

Connect Sentences Smoothly: Avoid Choppiness and Wordiness

What does it mean to describe writing as “choppy”? Typically, this implies that the sentences within a passage move unevenly.

Repetitive, robotic sentence structure and relying on simple sentences create choppy writing. Although the writer may have solid ideas, they could enhance their writing flow by experimenting with different sentence structures, using conjunctions, and incorporating subordinating clauses.

“Wordy” writing typically involves using lengthy and overly grandiloquent phrases that obscure meaning and make the text harder to understand. While it’s generally beneficial for students to enhance their vocabulary, they may sometimes produce writing with inappropriate word choices, unusual sentence structures, or overuse of passive voice. Consider your word choices, as they could hinder your ideas’ clarity during the revision or peer editing.

Structure Your Paragraphs to Maintain Flow in Writing

You can also achieve a flow at the paragraph level. Transition words and phrases help link sentences and connect paragraphs throughout the writing.

Assessing the flow of writing involves examining how paragraphs are structured and organized on a broader scale. The selection of ideas, the coherence of each paragraph, and the order of paragraphs determine the writing flow.

Consider whether the points in each paragraph effectively contribute to a unified idea or argument.

Here are some tips for integrating flow into a multi-paragraph argumentative essay:

• Your first body paragraph should present your argument’s most apparent and logical point. It should be difficult to argue against and foremost in the reader’s mind after reading the paper’s introduction.
• Your second body paragraph should address the weakest point of your argument. This is the point in your paper when your reader is paying the least attention. If your first point is strong, the weakness of this point has less impact when it’s positioned in the middle, sandwiched between two strong points.
• Your third body paragraph should focus on your argument’s strongest, albeit not necessarily the most obvious, point. This paragraph delivers the final punch of your argument. It should be compelling and an excellent place to address a counterargument before reaffirming your opinion before concluding. This should be the point you want to remain in your reader’s mind the most.

The selection and arrangement of ideas can significantly enhance the overall flow of the writing. Establishing a flow is a critical part of the creative aspect of the writing process. Exercise your voice and make creative choices in your writing. You will soon discover a new aspect of your writing using these few tools and taking time to practice.