Writing that flows is easy to read and holds your interest.

Like other areas that ABEL can help you with, improving your writing can give you more free time and improve your marks.

Here, ABEL shows you how to easily organise and link your ideas so that your writing flows smoothly. Avoid losing interest and marks in future assignments with our easy to follow guide:

How can writing “flow”?

Writing that "flows" refers to the smooth and coherent progression of ideas, sentences, and paragraphs in a piece of writing. It is important for several reasons: it improves the overall quality of your exam answers and essays by improving readability, clarity, coherence, engagement, and professionalism. It helps to explain ideas and engage the reader, giving you a more successful piece of writing.

1. Readability: Writing that flows well is easy to read, and you can quickly understand what the writer is saying. When ideas are organised in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, readers can follow the writer's train of thought. This improves the overall reading experience and keeps readers engaged.

2. Clarity: Flowing writing helps to explain ideas clearly. When there are smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs, the connections between thoughts and arguments make sense to the reader. This enables readers to understand the writer's message without leaving unanswered questions.

3. Coherence: Flowing writing maintains a sense of coherence throughout the text. Ideas are linked together in a way that creates a clear narrative or argument. This cohesiveness allows readers to see the relationship between different parts of the text, making it easier to follow and understand the writer's explanations.

4. Engagement: Writing that flows captivates the reader's attention. It has a rhythm and pacing that keeps readers interested and encourages them to continue reading. When your writing flows well, it will pull readers into the text, make them more receptive to your ideas, and accept your explanations.

5. Professionalism: Writing that flows well demonstrates a high level of skill and professionalism. It shows you can effectively structure and present your ideas. Well-flowing writing shows that you have a good understanding of the subject and can explain the course content clearly. These skills will give you higher marks than simple or poorly structured answers.

Which of the following examples do you find easier to read?

Example 1: 

"The sun slowly rose over the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the meadow. Birds chirped joyfully, their melodies dancing in harmony with the gentle breeze that rustled through the leaves. The scent of freshly bloomed flowers filled the air, inviting a sense of serenity and tranquillity. As I walked through the meadow, I couldn't help but feel a profound connection with nature, as if the world around me was whispering its secrets, urging me to embrace the beauty that surrounded me."

Example 2: 

"The sun rose. Birds chirped. The wind blew. Flowers smelled nice. I walked through a meadow. Nature is beautiful."

In Example 1, the sentences are connected, creating a smooth and coherent flow. The descriptions are vivid, engaging the reader's senses and painting a vivid picture. The transitions between ideas are seamless, allowing the reader to follow along effortlessly. 

In Example 2, the sentences are “bitty” and  fragmented. There are no clear connections. Each sentence presents a separate idea without proper transitions between them. The descriptions are brief with little detail, making it challenging for the reader to visualise the scene or feel engaged. The overall effect is a lack of coherence and a disjointed reading experience.

The advantages of producing writing that flows can also be seen in more structured tasks like in a lab report. 

Which of the examples below do you think will get better marks?

Example 3: 

"We did an experiment on enzymes and temperature. We used three test tubes and put them at different temperatures - 25°C, 37°C, and 50°C. We added the substrate and measured how long it took for the reaction. The higher the temperature, the faster the reaction. This supports our hypothesis. The data we collected shows that temperature affects enzyme activity."

Example 4: 

"In this experiment, we aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of enzyme activity. We initially prepared three test tubes with equal amounts of the enzyme solution. Next, we varied the temperature of each test tube, placing one in a water bath at 25°C, another at 37°C, and the third at 50°C. We then added the substrate to each test tube and recorded the time it took for the reaction to occur. As the temperature increased, we observed a corresponding increase in the rate of enzyme activity. This trend supports the hypothesis that higher temperatures enhance enzyme performance due to increased kinetic energy. The data collected from the experiment confirms the positive relationship between temperature and enzyme activity, providing valuable insights for further research in enzymology."

Being able to spot disjointed writing is one thing, but producing your own writing that flows is another. As with most things, it gets easier with practice, but holding some simple steps in-mind whilst you write will make it easier:

1. Use transitional words and phrases. Transitional words and phrases, such as "however," "in addition," "therefore," "moreover," "consequently," help create smooth transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They guide the reader through the logical progression of your ideas.

2. Vary sentence structure and length. A mix of sentence structures and lengths adds rhythm and cadence to your writing. Use a combination of short, medium, and long sentences to create a natural flow. This prevents monotony and keeps the reader engaged.

3. Connect your ideas logically and smoothly. Each sentence and paragraph should build upon the previous one, maintaining a clear line of thought. Is your writing forced? Are there any jumps between ideas or clunky transitions that disrupt the flow?

4. Read your writing aloud. Reading your work aloud helps you identify awkward or clunky sentences. If you find it difficult to read a particular section, it might be a problem with the flow, and the intended audience may also stumble over the wording. Revise and rephrase those parts to improve the overall readability and flow.

5. Use pronouns and referencing. Instead of repeating nouns or specific terms excessively, use pronouns and referencing to create cohesion. This helps to avoid repetitive phrases and maintains a smooth flow by connecting related ideas. You don’t need to repeatedly say “It is well known that...“ or “Research has found that…” when the statement is supported by a citation or multiple citations. Citing a source from your reference list is the same thing as saying “It is well known that“. 

6. Edit and revise. Effective editing and revising are crucial for improving flow. During the editing process, pay attention to sentence transitions, remove unnecessary repetitions and asides, and check your writing for clarity and coherence. Look for ways to group sentences and paragraphs to improve the overall structure.

7. Use a Critical Friend. Ask someone else to read your work and provide feedback. Fresh eyes can often identify areas where the flow can be improved or where there may be disruptions in the logical progression of ideas. Use your Critical Friend's constructive feedback to improve your writing further.

8. Practise writing regularly. Like any skill, writing improves with practice. The more you write, the more you become used to flow and coherence. Set aside dedicated time for writing practice, whether it's through journaling, blogging, or creative writing exercises. Consistent practice will help you develop a natural flow in your writing.

Remember, achieving good flow takes time and practice. 

Be patient with yourself and continue to refine your writing skills!

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