Graph & Chart Writing Method

Arup Roy, Lecturer in English Language & Literature, Kanchkura University College

Writing graphs and charts require a certain method you need to know if you want to establish clarity in your writing. you must understand the graphic information which is presented symbolically in graphs and charts. Then you have to translate your understanding into words and sentences in response to the text type. What is the structure of a chart or graph? There is a band nine structure that is followed internationally. Look at the structure below:

• Introduction
• Overview
• Feature 1
• Feature 2

Note: This structure is not applicable for graph or chart writing higher secondary students have to write in their exam. But they must have this structure in their mind; it will help them find out information. But they are advised to present that information in a relatively big paragraph. So, higher secondary students are also going to present all the information but in a single big paragraph. Being a higher secondary student You will certainly start your writing with an effective introduction followed by an overview and specific features without making separate paragraphs. 

Therefore, firstly, you must know how to divide your task into an introduction, overview, and specific features. Secondly, you have to use the right vocabulary. Thirdly, you have to make a logical connection between sentences within the paragraph using connectors and linkers. Then you also have to know how to bring variety using words such as figures, percentages, numbers, etc. Afterward, you have to write different sentence structures to present the same kind of information; Finally, You need to take extra care of your grammar and spelling. It is better not to use too long and confusing sentences. This article is going to let you know all these skills systematically. 

Look at the bar chart below which has been analyzed systematically you need to follow, understand and apply: 

Introduction

After looking at the chart, your first task is to write down the introduction in response to the title of the chart you have before you. Here, the title is "The graph chart shows the number of internet users of Bangladesh in the year of 2014 to 2019." 

You are advised not to copy the title. You can write in your own way without changing your meaning. At first, just, replace the verb with a synonym. 

Then you can paraphrase the main subject matter: "the number of internet users in Bangladesh" into a clause by using the word "how"; you can also transform "in the year 2014 to 2019" into "between 2014 and 2019."

Do not change the name of the chart. 

The graph shows/ illustrates, represents, describes, provides information about (main subject matter) how the number of internet users increased in Bangladesh between 2014 and 2019 at a 5-year interval.

Overview

Here, you should shortly describe the major features of your pie chart. How many features do you need to describe? It should be 2 to 4 features. But avoid writing too many numbers, percentages, or dates in the overview. You should write only general information in this section.  You can look at the following ways to find out key features. 

• Try to look at the smallest and biggest slice of the chart
• Try to notice the slices which became bigger, smaller, or did not change

All the options mentioned above are fine. But try to write any one of these options to keep your overview short.

Overall/according to the chart/it is clearly evident that/we can see from the bar chart that the lowest percentage was in the year 2014, and it accounted for 40%. The highest number of users was in the year 2018; it was 80%. 

Feature

Now you have to give specific details in this section. Here, you should use percentages, numbers, and years to describe the chart in detail. Though in IELTS writing, you are advised not to write these specific details in one big paragraph, you are advised to provide these specific details in one paragraph for H.S.C writing. But, in IELTS writing, you have to make a separate paragraph for providing specific details. It will surely make your writing very coherent. Here, you can make 2 to 3 paragraphs for IELTS writing and 1 big paragraph if you are a higher secondary student. 

According to the chart, the internet users fluctuated around 40% to 80%. In 2014 the users were 40% and in 2015 the users made up 60%. During this period the users varied from 20%. But, in the next year 2016, the number of users dropped to 50% and it decreased 10% from 2015 to 2016. However, in 2017 and 2018 the percentage did not change (remained unchanged) and it was 70%. Again, we notice that in the year 2017, it was not the highest percentage. The highest percentage was in the year 2019. It was 80%. Thus, the graph shows the fluctuation of internet users in Bangladesh from 2014 to 2019.

Now, look at the complete writing below:

The graph shows/ illustrates, represents, describes, provides information about (main subject matter) how the number of internet users increased in Bangladesh between 2014 and 2019 at a 5-year interval. Overall/according to the chart/it is clearly evident that/we can see from the bar chart that the lowest percentage was in the year 2014, and it accounted for 40%. The highest number of users was in the year 2018; it was 80%. According to the chart, the internet users fluctuated around 40% to 80%. In 2014 the users were 40% and in 2015 the users made up 60%. During this period the users varied from 20%. But, in the next year 2016, the number of users dropped to 50% and it decreased 10% from 2015 to 2016. However, in 2017 and 2018 the percentage did not change (remained unchanged) and it was 70%. Again, we notice that in the year 2017, it was not the highest percentage. The highest percentage was in the year 2019. It was 80%. Thus, the graph shows the fluctuation of internet users in Bangladesh from 2014 to 2019.

Method/Technique

Introduction

The graph shows/ illustrates represents, describes, provides information about

 (main subject matter)_________________________________________-.

Overview

Overall/It is clearly evident that /According to the graph/At first glance (generation of primary idea)______________________.

DETAILS

The graph shows that (elaboration of obtained idea)__________________________________.

But (presentation of opposite idea) _______________________________________________.

However, (describing positive aspects ____________________________________________.

Again, (adding something new) ___________________________________________________.

Also (adding something more)____________________________________________________.

Thus/overall/The graph Shows (have to write highlighted parts again)____________________.

Connectors

The graph describes/ shows/illustrates the_______________________ According to the chart

_____The graph shows that______________ but ______________ However

____________ Again __________ Also___________________ Thus________ 

    Make paraphrase                               

• If your expression is too long or too difficult to paraphrase you can just use the word "how".
• If you want to paraphrase with the word how to try to convert action-noun to the verb. 

    Paraphrasing year

• In 2015 = in the year 2015
• In 2015, 2016 and 2017 = in the year 2015, 2016 and 2017 

   Ways to find out key features for an overview:

•  Search for biggest and smallest slices
•  Find which slices became bigger or smaller or did not change.

             Each of them is good. But use any one of them because you have to keep your overview short (  to 4 key features)

     To write the percentage of a certain sector, you use different expressions such as:

         Accounted for, was, made up, covers

 To avoid repeating yourself, you need to use synonyms. (FOR PIE CHART)

•   Was the smallest segment = contributed to the least in the economy = made lowest contribution= made up the smallest part of the chart = was the least significant part of the economy.
•   Was the largest segment = contributed most to the economy = made the highest contribution = made up the biggest part of the chart = was the most significant part of the economy.

 Vocabulary to show how the situation is increasing or growing 

Ø                  Increase(count) Growth (non cont)

•      There was an increase in the percentage of internet users (noun)
•       The number of internet users increased and will increase. (Verb)

Ø                 Steady, Gradual, Modest, Marginal, Slight

ü  Between 20005 and 2018, there was a gradual/steady/marginal/slight/modest increase in the number of internet users

All of those adjectives show some change but not much. 

   Adjectives that show much change

Ø             Significant, Spectacular, Dramatic, Sharp

ü  Between 1950 and 2000, there was a dramatic/spectacular/sharp/significant increase in the percentage of internet users.

Verbs

Ø            climb, soar,  increase,  go up,  surge,  rocket,  leap

ü  Between 2005 and 2009, the internet users  increased/went up/soared/ surged /climbed up/rocketed/leaped/stood up to/rose up to

 

Ø              Increase(count)   Growth (non cont) no article required

ü  There was significant growth in the human population over the last 50 years.

ü  There was a dramatic increase in the human population over the last 50 years.

     Different types of sentences

•              The number of internet users increased steadily from about 2 million to 4 million between 2005 and     2009.
•              Between 2005 and 2009, the number of internet users increased steadily from about 75 to 2000.
•            There was a steady increase in the number of internet users from about 2 million to 4 million between 2004 and 2007.
•         The number of people experienced/witnessed a steady increase from about 75 to 200 between 2004 and 2007.

Read How to Describe a Pie Chart

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