DESCRIBING A LINE GRAPH
There are two types of line graphs:
Simple Graph Complex Graph
How to Structure an IELTS
Academic Writing Line Graph
◦Paragraph 1: Introduction.
◦Paragraph 2: Overview.
◦Paragraph 3: Details of significant feature 1.
◦Paragraph 4: Details of significant feature 2.
◦Paragraph 5: Summary.
PARAPHRASING THE
INTRODUCTION
Writing an introduction
◦Read
Checkthe
thequestion
heading properly.
to get a better idea of the
topic and what is about.
Writing an introduction
The line graph shows how the salaries of male full-time
workers in USA have changes from 1964 to 2012 by type
of education
WRITING THE
OVERVIEW
Create an overview paragraph with all main trends.
◦Pull all the key points
in one paragraph.
◦Mention all the main
increases and
decreases.
◦Remember, do not give
details like numbers or
percentages.
The graph shows that during the 1960s and 1970s the
percentage rise in wages and the difference in wage
levels by education were reasonably small. Although
men with higher than a Bachelor’s degree earned
more than men with lower education levels.
GIVING DETAILS
◦Selecting relevant information.
◦Grouping the information.
Analyze Line Graph and Start Writing Body
Paragraphs
Begin the first body paragraph writing with individual lines
such as:
◦ Mention the starting point line.
◦ Mention the trends such as constantly increasing, gradually
decreasing, stable and peak points.
◦ Remember to include number or percentages supporting
your sentences in the body paragraph.
◦ Logically organize the body paragraphs of your report.
◦ Be selective in choosing the key features from the line
graph.
Analyze Line Graph and Start Writing Body
Paragraphs
Do not give
your opinion.
Analyze Line Graph and Start Writing Body
Paragraphs
Use formal
language.
Analyze Line Graph and Start Writing Body
Paragraphs
◦Do not write ever number or percentage you
come across.
◦Contrast and compare important highlights.
◦Mention the peak points at the start and
continue with the corresponding data
mentioning the range (highest or lowest).
Here are some words you might use on your
essay.
Upward Trend Down Trend
◦Increase / an increase ◦Drop / a drop
◦Rise / a rise ◦Fall / a fall
◦Grow / a growth ◦Decrease / a decrease
◦Climb / a climb ◦Decline / a decline
◦Go up
Here are some words you might use on your
essay.
Other Vocabulary Other Vocabulary
◦Dip / a dip ◦Peak at
◦Fluctuate / a fluctuation ◦Reach a peak of
◦Remain stable ◦Hit a low of
◦Remain steady ◦Hit a high of
◦Level off ◦Bottom out
◦Remain unchanged ◦Remain unchanged
Analyze the Line Graph
This trend started to change during the 1980s. From this
point in time, it can be seen that the wages for men
with less education started to decrease and those for
men with a postgraduate qualification increase
significantly.
Between 1984 and 2012 the latter group experience an
increase from 1.4 percentage to almost 2.0 percent. On
the other hand, those men with two lowest levels of
education experienced a reduction in their wage level.
At the end of the period, they were being paid 0.5
percent less than they were in 1964.
SUMMARIZING
THE TASK
Include a Summary
◦Remember to include the summary with conclusive
statements after your body paragraph
Overall, it can clearly be seen that differences in
salaries for men in full-time employment in the
USA have become more pronounced relative to
qualification levels.
TIME TO
PRACTICE
