In English, a report, argument or discussion needs to be cohesive – the ideas need to stick together, and flow in a logical order. The presentation or flow of ideas when writing in other languages is very different to that in English.

It is important to show connections between your ideas, sentences and paragraphs, using signposting/linking words. Linking words help the reader to follow the logical order of your ideas throughout your writing, and need to be included in everything you write; emails, documents, reports and proposals. Without them, the reader can become confused and distracted.

Some useful linking words and devices include: However, therefore, previously, meanwhile, besides, such as, in addition, also,  this, that, these, those, personal pronouns, repeated nouns and YES, there are many more………………

Cohesive paragraphs should either deal with one main idea, as is more common, or continue to build on the point in the previous paragraph.

A simple way of improving your English writing skills, is to improve how a document, report, or email flows.

Are your ideas linked correctly, and is your business writing cohesive?