WRITING SHORT ESSAY

GRAPHS
The pie graphs show the
nutritional consistency of two
breakfast.

Write a report to a university

lecturer describing the data.

Write at least 150 words

 FROM THE STUDENTS WRITING

Not suit to the Copas from internet Unsuited to word Too wordy
instruction, making count
another writing
TIPS IN WRITING: DESCRIBING GRAPHS
In the initial paragraph, paraphrase the
question/the title. Start the paraphrase
with one of the following prompts:
• The table shows/illustrates the trends
in .... between .......
• The graph shows/illustrates......
• The chart shows how the ..... have
changed ......
• The chart compare….
Don’t include “below” in your paraphrase

Decide the graph

describes a comparison,
progression or both. Use
the appropriate language
for each type. Ex:
comparative: use ‘the
same as’, ‘less/higher
than’,
progressive, use ‘a slight
increase’.
The pie graphs show the
nutritional consistency of two
breakfast.

The graphs compare the

proportion of various
nutritional compounds
contained in two different
foods; macaroni and medium
baked potato
Change noun and adjectives phrases
into verbs and adverbs to create a
range of expressions

Ex: ‘a slight increase’ to ‘increase

slightly’
Use different ways to say the same
thing so you don’t have to repeat
yourself
(‘increase’, ‘go up’, ‘rise’,
‘more than’, ‘higher than’).
Describe the most general
trends in second paragraph,
including the most striking
characteristics.
Add linker to help your essay to help
with its cohesion and coherence; in
other words, it’s flow.

Ex: in addition, furthermore, however, although.

In general, there are a larger
percentage of carbohydrates and
saturated fats in macaroni than
in medium baked potato. In
contrast, medium baked potato
has a much higher amount of
protein and glucose.
In the 3rd paragraph, give a
more detailed description.
Need to focus on main
trends, but focus more on
elements within each part of
the graph Add data to
support information.

(For 10 years, there was a gradual

upward trend until it peaked at 250
units in 2002, followed by a dip.).
 Don’t describe all small details as
this creates lists which sound
mechanical.
year.
Instead of writing :It went up by 2%
and then dropped up 5%, then rose
again for 2 years, and again dropped
by 2%.
Write: It fluctuated between 5% and
2% for the first quarter of the
In particular, macaroni mainly
consists of large amounts of
carbohydrate and saturated fats.
Carbohydrates take up slightly more
than a half, 52%, while a little less
than a quarter is made up of
saturated fats. The other nutrients
show relatively lower proportions.
 No need to write a conclusion, but it
makes the writing seem more complete
if you do.
 WHAT TENSES TO DESCRIBE GRAPHS?

No Date Present tense

In the graphs you might find
dates. It tells you what Date in the past Past tense
tenses to use Date in the future Future form
Combining date Past and
past and future future forms
In particular, macaroni mainly
consists of large amounts of
carbohydrate and saturated fats.
Carbohydrates take up slightly more
than a half, 52%, while a little less
than a quarter is made up of
saturated fats. The other nutrients
show relatively lower proportions.
REWRITE : 30 MINUTES

The pie graphs show the

nutritional consistency of two
breakfast.

Write a report to a university

lecturer describing the data.

Write at least 150 words