Some Key Things to Remember About Flow in Writing

1. Some Key Things to Remember About Flow in Writing All professional proofreading and editing services will agree that of the many elements that make a piece of writing shine, flow ranks among the most important. The ease with which a reader can absorb a piece of writing goes a long way to dictating how well the content performs. But good flow does not always come naturally. It requires hard work and an understanding of the nuances of giving themes, points and arguments clarity and concision. Flow is usually near the top of the checklist when professional proofreading and editing services conduct editorial reviews. Flow is equally as important as having correct facts, removing spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes and improving the document’s format and structure. All these aspects are integral, but if the text isn’t accessible - if it doesn’t flow well - there’s a danger that the message will get lost.

2. Thus, flow refers to the content’s rhythm, tempo and pace. This translates into readability: content that reads well will most likely allow the reader to quickly grasp the intended message. Clarity, concision and cohesion are key to flow. Reviews by professional proofreading and editing services will emphasise the importance of suitable phrasing and terminology, a mix of long and short sentences and transitions that help bridge the gaps between the main thrust of the content. In other words, text that bounces along nicely often grabs the reader’s attention. Therefore, writers must have a clear plan in mind. Professional proofreading and editing services will check to make sure the document has a suitable structure. This means ensuring that a paragraph’s opening sentence makes a clear point supported by subsequent content that presents facts, figures and quotes from reliable sources. The paragraph should then flow seamlessly into the next section. In fact, sentence structure can play a crucial role in creating an attractive flow. Combining long and short simple, compound and complex sentences is a surefire way to keep the reader interested because the copy has forward momentum and makes the themes and arguments easier to digest. Equally, the content does not become monotonous. Transition words help improve readability because they indicate a relationship between the sentences. ‘Furthermore,’ ‘moreover’, ‘for example’ and ‘however’ are some common examples, but the reader should beware of repetition when deploying them too often; professional proofreading and editing services will change any offending terms, but it always pays to know when you’re overusing the same term. The words themselves should always be clear. Many editors have noticed that writers often rely on vague pronouns, such as ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’ when explaining something. This is fine when the context clarifies the referent, but sometimes, simply using a noun or noun phrase can clarify who or what is being referred to, thereby removing any doubt from the reader’s mind. Never forget that flow is the gateway to the content; copy that reads well and makes clear points will certainly maximise its appeal for a wide range of readers. Read More: Follow These Simple Rules to Track Your Editing and Proofreading Never Underestimate the Importance of These Editorial Guidelines