Heard the expression “roter Faden”, googled it, and it’s actually interesting and relevant.

In a scientific context, it’s the main topic / leitmotiv / … of the text. You ask a question, and all parts of the text should work together to answer it, relating to it in a clear way.

Excellent (PDF) link on this exact topic in scientific writing & an itemized list of ways to make it clear: https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/fileadmin/documents/public/1_universitaet/1.3_organisation/sprachenzentrum/schreibwerkstatt/Roter_Faden_Endversion.pdf

TODO hypothetically save it from link rot somewhere

Also:

• untermauern: underpin
  • durch ein Grafik XXX_(Akk.)_ untermauern