Published on April 13, 2012

Writing is a little bit like giving directions. As the writer, you know the landscape. You’ve had the benefit of doing the research, conducting the interviews, pondering the material and then, actually writing it.

Do you remember the last time you were driving somewhere and had to stop to ask for directions? Did the directions actually help? Or were you just as thoroughly befuddled at the end of the exchange (“Do I go right at the gas station, or do I wait for the three-way stop? Hmmmm”)

I present this anecdote by way of analogy...

But pity the poor, naive reader. He or she is coming to all this information for the first time. It’s new and it’s confusing. That’s where “bridges” (also known as transitions, links or connectors) can help prevent this confusion.

Bridges or connectors are the words, phrases and stylistic devices that help direct the reader through your article. Sometimes I even like to imagine them as a cable that pulls the reader along. Here are five easy ways in which you can give your readers that kind of assistance:

1) Make “leading” or intriguing statements that will raise a question in the reader’s mind. Then answer that question in the very next sentence. Let me give you an example from an employee publication:

If you were the kind of daredevil kid who once jumped off the garage roof, three meters may not seem like a long drop. But there’s a good reason why safety laws require fall-arrest gear if you’re working that high up.

The phrase “there’s a good reason...” is sure to get your attention because it forces you to ask yourself, “what, exactly, is that good reason?” Notice how it makes you want to read the next sentence, seeking the answer.

2) Sprinkle your article liberally with questions. For example: “Foresters were required to switch to Palm Pilots for recording data in the field. The result? The company saved $3 million.” As you can see, the question raised in the second sentence makes you want to read more, to find the answer.

3) Whenever you are quoting someone, be sure to include some paraphrasing to “set up” the quote. This is an especially effective bridge as you can see in this story about the leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma: Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi is taking a conciliatory tone — for now, at least — suggesting that she might support the relaxation of international sanctions against the military government.“If people really want sanctions to be lifted, I will consider this,” she said in an interview. See how the quote doesn’t introduce new material -- it simply supports the point raised in the previous sentence. But paraphrasing helps “pull” the reader through the story to find out what the golfer’s exact words will be.

4) Repeat words or key concepts. Remember my sentence at the beginning of this column? I said:

Notice how I used the word “confusing” in the third sentence and then echoed it with the word “confused” in the fourth. That, too, is a bridge. Repetition is an extremely effective type of bridging.

5) Use bridging words. Here is a list of ready-made bridges. Print it out, stick it on your bulletin board and use them!

Contrast: but, however, though, nevertheless, still, yet, on the other hand, conversely

Comparison: likewise, similarly, as well, besides, also, too

Example: specifically, for instance, here, there, for example, to illustrate, in fact

Time: now, then, in the past, soon, later, after, meanwhile, following, preceding

Sequence: first, second, third, next, last, finally

Cause & effect: as a result, therefore, because, hence, thus, consequently, so

Addition: moreover, furthermore, besides, in addition, also

If you remember to concentrate on building better bridges not only will your readers appreciate it – you’ll also find that you don’t get stuck nearly so often!