Let Readers Know Where Your Document Is Taking Them

You can use several strategies to give your readers a sense of where your document is going to take them. The most direct strategy, and one that’s common in most genres of academic writing, is to provide a “map” — a preview of your main point and supporting points. You can also take advantage of commonly used organizing patterns, such as pro/con or cause/effect, that readers will understand and be ready to follow.