Learn some practical strategies and tips to improve coherence and flow in your academic writing. Coherence and flow make your writing clear, logical, and engaging.

In medical writing, as with most technical writing, there needs to be strong logic and structure throughout the content. For logic, readers can retain more details if they understand why something is/was done in the first place. In essence, if you're explaining that something will be/was done - tie it to the overall purpose of the work (and use the same terminology) so that readers can follow the thought process. For structure, if you have several purposes (e.g., primary purpose, secondary purpose etc.) then structure your content so that the reader can anticipate what's coming next. That could mean bunching all the primary purpose content together or addressing each purpose in descending importance for each section.

As medical writers, we use flow in our text to convey technical messages that are more readable. Storytelling can be applied to medical and scientific texts as to any other discipline and it really helps creating a cohesive text.

How do you create coherence and flow in your writing?

Coherence and flow are essential elements of effective academic writing. They help you communicate your ideas clearly, logically, and persuasively to your readers. But how do you create coherence and flow in your writing? In this article, you will learn some practical strategies and tips to improve these aspects of your writing.

1 What is coherence?

Coherence refers to the way your sentences and paragraphs are connected and organized around a central theme or argument. Coherent writing has a clear structure, a consistent tone, and a smooth transition between ideas. To achieve coherence, you need to plan your writing carefully, use appropriate connectors and signposts, and avoid repetition and redundancy.

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Jonathan Mackinnon

Building protocols with purpose
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In medical writing, as with most technical writing, there needs to be strong logic and structure throughout the content. For logic, readers can retain more details if they understand why something is/was done in the first place. In essence, if you're explaining that something will be/was done - tie it to the overall purpose of the work (and use the same terminology) so that readers can follow the thought process. For structure, if you have several purposes (e.g., primary purpose, secondary purpose etc.) then structure your content so that the reader can anticipate what's coming next. That could mean bunching all the primary purpose content together or addressing each purpose in descending importance for each section.

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2 What is flow?

Flow is the quality of your writing that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. Flow is related to coherence, but it also involves the rhythm, pace, and style of your writing. Flowing writing has a natural and engaging voice, a varied sentence structure, and a balanced use of evidence and analysis. To create flow, you need to revise your writing thoroughly, use active and precise verbs, and avoid jargon and clichés.

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Laura C. Collada Ali

🖋Medical Writing Manager 🧬 Experienced in Regulatory Documentation and MedComms for pharma & devices
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As medical writers, we use flow in our text to convey technical messages that are more readable. Storytelling can be applied to medical and scientific texts as to any other discipline and it really helps creating a cohesive text.

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3 How to plan your writing

One of the best ways to ensure coherence and flow in your writing is to plan your writing before you start. Planning your writing involves identifying your purpose, audience, and main message, as well as outlining your main points and supporting details. Planning your writing helps you clarify your focus, organize your ideas, and avoid irrelevant or inconsistent information.

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4 How to use connectors and signposts

Another way to improve coherence and flow in your writing is to use connectors and signposts. Connectors are words or phrases that link your sentences and paragraphs and show the relationship between your ideas. For example, connectors can indicate contrast, cause and effect, addition, or example. Signposts are words or phrases that guide your readers through your writing and highlight the structure, direction, or position of your argument. For example, signposts can indicate introduction, conclusion, summary, or emphasis. Using connectors and signposts helps you create a logical and coherent sequence of ideas and a clear and flowing narrative.

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5 How to revise your writing

A final way to enhance coherence and flow in your writing is to revise your writing after you finish. Revising your writing involves checking your content, structure, language, and style for clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness. Revising your writing helps you identify and correct any errors, gaps, or weaknesses in your writing and polish your final draft. To revise your writing effectively, you need to read your writing critically, use feedback from others, and use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or dictionaries.

Coherence and flow are not only important for academic writing, but for any type of writing that aims to inform, persuade, or entertain your readers. By applying the strategies and tips discussed in this article, you can improve your coherence and flow and make your writing more clear, logical, and engaging.

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Marie Stéphanie Cahart, PhD

Neuroscience & Mental Health | Postdoctoral Research Associate
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In order to effectively revise my writing as a PhD researcher, I would 1. Take a long enough break away from the manuscript (i.e., a few days if possible) after drafting it so I briefly ‘forget’ what I have written. 2. Come back to the manuscript and read it as if I were the reader (not the writer) and I were not familiar with it 3. As I read the manuscript, I would ask myself whether what I have written makes sense to me and would make sense to someone else. If it’s difficult to read and doesn’t naturally flow, then it means it needs more work

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Christine Haverington

Higher Education Innovator; Bioedumimic; Freelance Professor of English Literature, Philosophy, AI & Ethics, and Writing
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Conversation and academic or professional writing can go together. Talk to your readers/intended audience, person to person, for natural flow and more memorable content.

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How do you create coherence and flow in your writing?

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1 What is coherence?

2 What is flow?

3 How to plan your writing

4 How to use connectors and signposts

5 How to revise your writing

6 Here’s what else to consider

Academic Writing

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