How to Make Your Writing Flow

Proven Methods for a Smoother Style

Mar 20, 2009
Julia Purdy

Flow - J. Purdy

Student writers often say they want their writing to "flow" and try to achieve it in various ways. Some attempts result in effective writing and some do not.

It’s tempting to believe that flow happens naturally or not at all, or that it’s a sign of special talent. In reality, however, anyone can develop a flowing style. Flow results when writers use specific operations that are already part of the standard writing toolkit.

What Is “Flow?”

Flow is simply writing that moves fluently from one idea, phrase, or sentence to the next. Flow enables the experienced reader to grasp concepts and images along a continuum and provides a stimulating encounter with words and phrases, not unlike listening to music. However, novice writers commonly confuse the misuse of language or ignorant mistakes with “flow.”

False Flow

The following elements resemble a kind of flow but fall short of the real thing.

Running sentences together without benefit of punctuation
Comma splice errors
Using sentence fragments as a kind of shorthand for internal musings
Lack of clear expression, which leaves the reader guessing as to your meaning
Repetitiveness, redundancy, wordiness, and awkward or erroneous word choices

Checklist: Writing Elements That Achieve Genuine Flow

Sentence variety that avoids choppy, look-alike simple sentences
Sentence punctuation that helps the reader make a smooth transition from one thought to another
Broad vocabulary that includes polysyllabic words
Correct spelling, punctuation, diction, syntax and usage
Use of pronouns, thus avoiding boring repetition

Checklist: Homework

Use the above checklist.
Read and absorb well-written models in which the writer has something real to say.
Master the use of compound-complex sentence types.
Develop a vocabulary of transitional words and phrases.
Become a word-collector.
Become sensitive to the rhythms of phrases and sentences.
Tune your ear by reading your own writing aloud.

Sentence Structure That Flows

Short simple sentences kill “flow,” as follows:

I ran out of money. I had to stop playing.

The three sentence types that contribute best to flow are:

Compound—I wanted to keep playing, but I ran out of money.
Complex—I had to stop playing when I ran out of money .
Compound-complex--Since I ran out of money, I had to stop playing, but I’ll be back next week!

Sentence Combining

The period signals a full stop. Switch to joining punctuation such as the semicolon (;), the colon (:), or the dash (–).
Always join simple sentences with a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, yet, so) to avoid run-on sentences.
Join simple or compound sentences with a subordinate clause, using subordinating conjunctions (if, because, while, since, when, although, etc.).

Exercise: Sentence Combining

Play with different sentence combinations to see which one “flows” better for your purpose.

I glanced at the clock. The time was 3:00 a.m.
You can tell spring is here. The birds are coming back.
It might rain. You should take an umbrella.

Exercise: Comma Splice Errors and Run-Ons

Fix these by combining sentences the right way.

I never have time for myself, I’m too busy working.
I passed the course I’m so relieved.

Exercise: Sentence Fragments

Unite sentence fragments with the preceding or following sentence to frame a complete thought, or re-write completely.

I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. If my car starts.

Using Vocabulary to Create Flow

A flexible vocabulary can create a sense of rhythm and engages the reader’s attention. Compare the following:

See Spot run.
Spot dashed all around the park until he collapsed, panting.

There is no great mystery to flow. Like any other competency, flow can be acquired with practice. As you develop proficiency in writing—any kind of writing—your style will begin to “flow.”