Know That It Flows

Tips for Writing Papers That Are Clear, Organized, and Purposeful

Reverse Outline

A reverse outline is a simple way to check for solid organization in a draft.

In the margins next to each paragraph, write a short phrase that summarizes the paragraph. If you are unable to summarize the paragraph in a brief statement, the paragraph may contain too many ideas.
Do a thesis check to ensure each paragraph relates clearly to your thesis.
Make sure each paragraph has a clearly stated topic sentence.

Use Transitions

Transitions are vital words and phrases that connect ideas and help writing flow smoothly.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas and help readers understand the logic of a paper.
While transitions help connect ideas, they cannot replace solid organization.
Transitions add flavor to writing, but they do not replace substance.

Helpful Transitions by Category

Addition or Support

Also
In addition
Again
Once again
Then
Finally
Next

Contrast

However
By contrast
Although
On the other hand
Compared to
By comparison
While

Cause or Effect

Because
Since
Evidently
Thus
As a result
For
Therefore

Example or Evidence

For example
In this case
For instance
On this occasion
As an illustration
Specifically
Namely

Exceptions

Yet
Nevertheless
Despite
Sometimes
Still
In spite of
Of course

Sequence or Order

First
Second
Third
At this time
Next
Then
Finally

Summary or Conclusion

To conclude
In brief
In conclusion
Summing up
In the end
On the whole
Thus

Repetition

Repeating key ideas helps maintain consistency and unity throughout a paper.

Main ideas should be repeated across paragraphs to create cohesion.
Key terms should appear often enough to emphasize your point but not so often that they become distracting.
If repetition feels excessive, consider using appropriate synonyms.

Old to New Information

Readers move more easily through information when sentences begin with familiar ideas and progress to new ones.

Starting with known information builds reader confidence.
Moving from old to new improves clarity and logical flow.
Introducing too much new information at once can overwhelm readers and obscure meaning.

Example Paragraph

Coffee lovers will be happy to learn the many health benefits of drinking coffee. Even though the caffeine content in coffee has been the subject of much scrutiny, researchers found that an appropriate amount of coffee is beneficial for good health. For example, research shows that drinking coffee reduces the risk of certain cancers and heart disease. Along with reducing many health risks, coffee also contains antioxidants that boost the immune system. In fact, Americans receive more antioxidants from coffee than from any other source. Although coffee drinkers need to moderate their consumption, they can enjoy their daily cup with confidence.

Key: Repetition = main ideas repeated; Transitions = signal words; Old to New = familiar ideas introduced before new ones.

Final Revision Questions

What is my thesis?
Can I identify the topic sentence in each paragraph?
Does each paragraph clearly relate back to my thesis?
Do I use transitions to connect paragraphs?
Do I introduce old information before new information?
Can I identify the key terms in my paper, and are they repeated appropriately?
If a word is used too often, what synonyms could replace it?
Are my sentences clear and unified within each paragraph?

Sources

“Considering Structure and Organization.” Institute for Writing and Rhetoric, Dartmouth College, 13 Jan. 2015.
Fowler, H. Ramsey, and Jane E. Aaron, editors. The Little, Brown Handbook. 12th ed., Pearson, 2012.