Te Kete Wānaka
Learning, Teaching and Library
Connecting ideas
Good academic writing is well-structured – it is easy to identify the main ideas and see how they are connected. We say this type of writing has good flow.
Your assessment might have excellent ideas and evidence, but if it is not well-structured you might lose marks because the marker struggles to understand your points and follow your train of thought.
How can you create writing that flows?
Creating writing that is easy to read starts well before you begin writing sentences and paragraphs. Think carefully about the big picture and the order of ideas before you focus on the choice of words in the final draft.
Well-structured writing has a clear overall theme (the main point) and the ideas are organised into a logical order.
1. Decide on your overall theme or answer
After you have read widely and critically, focus on your central idea – this is your answer to the assessment question. Try to write this in one or two sentences. (If you can’t come up with a central idea, maybe it’s too soon to start writing – continue reading, thinking and talking, or try some exploratory writing about the topic. See 4. below).
2. Work out the main points that will explain that answer
Decide on the points that will support or explain your central idea. Make sure each of these points can be clearly connected to your overall answer.
3. Arrange the points into a logical pattern
Decide on the best organisation for your main ideas so there is an underlying logical thread running through the writing. For example, maybe you want to describe changes over time, or present solutions to a problem in order of importance.
4. What if the big picture is not clear to you yet?
If you find it difficult to clarify your central idea, or to develop an outline with the key points in order, maybe you would find it easier to just start writing! Sometimes it is easier to first write a very rough draft, then clarify the central idea and, finally, re-write the draft so the central idea is clear and the points are in a logical order. (To find out more about different writing processes, check out our workshops or talk to Academic Success)
Readers can follow your ideas more easily when information is in the place they expect it to be. Using the expected structure for essays, reports, scientific papers etc will help your reader. Check our tips on organising the central idea and main points in an essay or report and on writing clear, well-organised paragraphs.
Once you know what your central idea is, and how you are going to order your ideas logically, you can write words and sentences that make the underlying logic obvious to someone reading. In other words, you can write in a way that leads the reader through the ideas.
1. Explain your structure
Tell your reader what you are focusing on and where the information is. For example, use phrases such as
- This essay explores …
- The aim of this report is to …
- In section 2, several factors will be …
- The most frequently used technique is in … A less common application is …
- In conclusion, …
2. Use words and phrases that highlight logical links between ideas
Show your reader how your ideas are connected. These connections could be between ideas in one sentence, or between sentences or paragraphs. You might use linking words and phrases that show logical connections such as:
|
To show similarity
|
|
To show difference or contrast
|
|
To show order or time
|
|
To add ideas
|
|
To show cause and effect
|
|
To show an alternative
|
|
To introduce an example
|
|
To introduce a more specific point
|
(For more examples, and how to include them in your sentences, check out our other resources on linking words.)
3. Use reminder words
Use words that remind the reader about information they have read earlier in your writing. For example,
|
Repeat key concepts hazard – hazardous regulation – regulatory |
|
Use synonyms or rewording of the same idea hazard – danger regulation – control natural area – wetland viable – practicable |
|
Use reference words this, these, that, those |
4. Use old information to connect paragraphs and sentences
Sentences and paragraphs often begin with something you have already told your reader. We call this old information. The old information provides a link back to an earlier sentence or paragraph.
For example, look at how the key ideas introduced in one sentence are repeated at the beginning of later sentences (e.g. movement, systems, management, written communication).
To find out more about how to connect ideas smoothly and logically:
- Check out Brick, J., Herke, M., and Wong, DE. (2020). Academic Culture: A Student's Guide to Studying at University. Bloomsbury. E-Book Chapter 18.
- Join a workshop or make an appointment with Academic Success to find out how to make your writing flow and how to develop an argument.
Get Individual Advice
Talk to Academic Success or attend one of our workshops for help with your study.
