Flow and signposting
Academic Writing and Critical Thinking
Readers follow an argument through signposts: topic sentences that state each paragraph’s point, transitions that show the relationship between ideas (however, therefore, in contrast), and short previews and summaries at the start and end of sections.
Choose transitions for their meaning, not for variety. “Moreover” adds; “however” contrasts; “therefore” concludes. A wrong connector misleads the reader about your logic.
Example
“Studies agree that feedback matters. However, they disagree on timing. This section therefore examines…”
Exercise
Read the first sentence of each paragraph in one section. Do they tell the story on their own?