Good academic writing depends not just on the content of the work, but on how this content is expressed. Knowing how to write and structure a piece of work is an essential academic skill and ensures that relevant ideas and arguments are not lost, but are clear and visible to the reader. This article discusses the importance of writing with the reader in mind and taking them through the points and arguments in the work. This involves appropriate use of paragraphs, introductory sentences and signposting so the reader is always alert and prepared for the information being presented. This article is the first in a series of three looking at academic writing skills. Part two will look at literature searches and referencing and using other people's work; part three will focus on how to use information.