For those students who are keen in improving their IELTS writing testing score, this is the GLOBAL TALK, you don’t want to miss!
1. Writing 3 to 4 paragraphs is the key, make sure you stay within 150 words or else, you would be penalized with a slap on the wrist.
2. In the introduction, you need to paraphrase and answer the question… what the graph is trying to tell the audience. Start paraphrasing with one of the following phrases: e.g. 1) The table shows/illustrates the trends in …. between ……. 2) The chart shows how the …. have changed ……
3. Write an overview following the introduction. Look at the beginning and the end of the chart to help determine your overview. An overview is like a preview, but without specific data or stats.
4. Decide if the graph you are describing is a comparison, progression, or both. You will need to use the appropriate language for each type. For example, if it is comparative, use ‘the same as’ or if it is progressive, use “increase slightly”.
5. To bring more dynamic range to your writing. Change nouns and adjective phrases into verbs and adverbs to create a range of expressions, for example ‘a slight increase’ to ‘increase slightly’. Also, try to learn a few different ways to say the same thing so you don’t have to repeat yourself with the SAME VOCABULARY (‘increase’, ‘go up’, ‘rise’). Mix it up a little bit, remember you will be marked on your language range and accuracy.
6. Describe the most striking characteristics and trends in the body paragraphs. Keep it short and concise.
7. You need to add “linking words” to improve cohesion and coherence; in other words, it’s about how it flows. Here are some useful linking expressions: in addition, furthermore, however, although.
8. In the 3rd body paragraph, you need to give a more detailed description. You still need to focus on main trends but focus more on elements within each part of the graph (For 10 years, there was a gradual upward trend until it peaked at 250 units in 2002, followed by a dip.). Add data and figures to support your writing.
9. Don’t describe all small details, keep it brief and get to the main points. Writing in small details make your writing sound robotic and less natural.
E.g. 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 year.
10. Be sure you have a conclusion at the end!!! This is a must for a “completed” masterpiece.
11. Don’t forget spelling and punctuation count towards accuracy.
ALWAYS DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR WORK