What is a throughline in research writing?

A throughline is the overarching argument or unifying theme that connects all sections of a manuscript.

Colloquially, the throughline is the “story” that a researcher tells through a manuscript or presentation. Your research story explains why you are doing this research (the research gap), how you are doing this research study (the theoretical framework and methods), the results of your study, and the implications (why the study is important or how it moves your field forward).

A throughline is a string that runs from the first sentence of the introduction to the last sentence of the conclusion.

A throughline shows up in a manuscript as the main argument or unifying these that connects each section of a manuscript.

A throughline is the main argument or the unifying theme of a manuscript.