Having Fun

with Graphs
Part 2 of the Writing Section
Part 2: The graph below shows past, present, and projected future overweight rates
in three selected areas.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
 5 QUESTIONS TO
ASK YOURSELF:
1. What exactly does the graph show? (Use the
chart title to help you answer this question)
2. What are the axes and what are the units?
3. What changed?
4. How much did it change?/What trend(s)?
5. What comparisons can I make between the
data series?
1. What exactly does the graph show? (Use the chart title to help you answer this question)
2. What are the axes and what are the units?
3. What changed?
4. How much did it change?/What trend(s)?
5. What comparisons can I make between the data series?
 6 STEPS FOR
WRITING A GRAPH
DESCRIPTION
 STEP #1
READ THE TITLE AND LABELS ON THE GRAPH
AS WELL AS THE INSTRUCTIONS.

- Note down 2-3 synonyms for key words/phrases.

- Write your introductory sentence, trying not to copy any
phrases.

“The graph shows the number of travelers from various parts of

the world entering Hong Kong for the years from 2002 to 2009.”
USEFUL INTRODUCTORY
EXPRESSIONS
 STEP #2
ANALYZE THE INFORMATION IN THE GRAPH,
LOOKING AT THE OVERALL TREND(S)

-Write the rest of your introduction, explaining the main

trend(s)

“It can clearly be seen that there has been a large

increase in the number of Mainland Chinese visitors,
while figures for visitors from Asia as well as other areas
of the world have only shown* a slight growth.”
 STEP #3
PLAN YOUR BODY PARAGRAPHS; USUALLY ONE
PARAGRAPH FOR EACH MAIN TREND

-Draft a topic sentence for each body paragraph

“The numbers of Mainland Chinese visiting Hong Kong

have risen considerably over this time period.”

“The figures for travelers from other parts of the world

show similar trends:”
 STEP #4
CHOOSE THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAILS THAT
WILL SUPPORT YOUR STATEMENT(S) OF MAIN
TREND(S)

-Write the rest of the body paragraphs

- Remember to include key figures from the data
 STEP #5
THINK ABOUT HOW TO RESTATE THE MAIN
TREND(S) IN THE GRAPH USING DIFFERENT
WORDS

-Write your conclusion paraphrasing the main trend(s)

“To sum up, in recent years Hong Kong has become an

increasingly popular destination for visitors, especially
people from mainland China who currently outnumber
those from all other parts of the world combined.”
 STEP #6
PROOFREAD YOUR DESCRIPTION AND CHECK
GRAMMAR, ORGANIZATION, COHERENCE, AND
CONTENT.

- Are noun and verb phrases accurate?

- Are verb tenses correct?
- Are there linking/transition words?
- Is the information detailed enough?
- Does the information support your topic sentences?
 LANGUAGE OF GRAPHS
What is some the language you can use to describe graphs and their trends?
 LANGUAGE OF GRAPHS
What is some the language you can use to describe graphs and their trends?

COMMON ADVERBS
gradually dramatically greatly
steadily drastically markedly
slightly sharply substantially
gently significantly wildly
slowly rapidly mildly
moderately considerably notably
#1
 unchanged
static
steady
constant
plateau
fixed
consistent
constant

i.e. From January to March the percentage of children using supplements

remained fairly static at approximately 10%.

i.e. The percentage of children taking dietary supplements was relatively stable
during the first two months of the year.

i.e. During the first two months, supplement use remained fairly unchanged.
#2
 fall
decrease
drop
plunge
decline
downward trend
dwindle
diminish

i.e. There was a slight decrease in dietary supplements in March.

i.e. Supplement use experienced a steady decline in March.

i.e. In March, supplement use slightly dwindled.

#3
 fluctuate
waver
vary
oscillate
go up and down

i.e. Supplement use went up and down wildly over two months.

i.e. It fluctuated from April to June.

i.e. Supplement use oscillated between 5% and 10% from April to June.
#4
 rise
grow
climb
shoot up
increase
swell
thrive
burgeon
upward trend

i.e. There was a significant increase in the percentage of children taking dietary
supplements between June and August.

i.e. The number of children taking supplements swelled between the months of
June and August.

i.e. Between June and August the percentage of children taking supplements
shot up dramatically.
#5
 peak
reach
climax
reach the zenith
crest
highest level
at the height

i.e. The number of children taking supplements peaked in August.

i.e. Children taking dietary supplements crested in the month of August at 25%.

i.e. Dietary supplement usage was at its height in August with a rate of 25%.
#6 & #7
 drop
decrease
diminish
fall
plunge
dwindle
lowest point

i.e. There was a sharp drop of 14% from September to December.

i.e. Supplement usage plunged rapidly from September onwards.

i.e. Supplement usage was at its lowest point in December with a rate of 5%.
HOW COULD WE DESCRIBE THIS GRAPH?
HOW COULD WE DESCRIBE THIS GRAPH?
HOW COULD WE DESCRIBE THIS GRAPH?
 What is the function and content of:

• Sentence 1:
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

• Sentence 2:
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

• Sentence 3:
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

• Sentence 4:
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________
 The graph below shows permanents and long-term
arrivalsin New Zealand by country of origin in August of the
years 2007 to 2009. Write a report of at least 150 words
describing and comparing the data.
 The chart below shows the number of travellers using three
major airports in New York City between 1995 and 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main
features, and make comparisons where relevant.