See also Coherence.
Present the whole before the parts. One of the common problems in reading science and engineering materials is that of trying to understand the context of the discussion. Give your reader a general view of where you are going before you plunge into the details. This principle applies to the introductions of documents, as well as to the openings of document sections.
3.2 Results
Friction between specimens first induces a moment about the loading hole that can lead to a
different stress state at the crack tip. It also delays the Hertzian indentation energy flow from the
loading point to the crack tip. The extent of the delay may depend on the contact surface conditions
between the specimen and back-up plate, which would contribute to
KIa scatter. [In this example, the section opening is not
linked to what has been said, and it also moves into an account of the results that gives no context.]
3.2 Results of the BLM Program on Crack Arrest Testing
The results of the BLM Crack Arrest Testing Program show a significant scatter in the
KIa values. Friction effects described in the last section may play an
important role in producing this larger scatter. The friction between specimens influences two
aspects of their behavior. First, it induces a moment about the loading hole that can lead to a
different stress state at the crack tip. Second, it delays the Hertzian indentation energy flow from
the loading point to the crack tip. The extent of the delay may depend on the contact surface
conditions between the specimen and back-up plate, which would contribute to
KIa scatter. [The forecasting in the improved example is
developed in several ways, including descriptive headings, a clear
topic sentence, introductory sentences giving context and
background, and transitional words.]
--G. D. Whitman and R. H. Ryan, "Heavy-Section Steel Technology Program: Quarterly Progress Report," Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
