Pie Charts: Body Paragraphs (British Council Academic IELTS: Writing): Study Material

Pie charts: body paragraphs

• The body paragraph is where you give more details by giving figures and making comparisons between data

Selecting data

• If the pie charts represent different points in time, you can select the main trends and changes (numbers that go up, down or stay the same over time)

• If the pie charts represent categories rather than time, select important data for all categories

• When studying the chart, ask yourself:

  • Which figures best show the main differences?

  • Which categories are easiest to compare?

  • Which numbers make the contrast clear?

• Focus on the figures that show the clearest patterns

• Try to highlight the largest and smallest shares

• Selecting similar percentages can also be useful when they show a close relationship between categories

• Leave out minor details that do not help explain the overall picture

Select numbers that allow you to make clear and relevant comparisons

Ordering data

• Aim to write two clear paragraphs 

• There is no single best way to order data, as long as the grouping makes sense

• The order often depends on the type of pie charts you are given

• You could organise the data by category groups  

  • For example, you can compare related categories in one paragraph and then the remaining categories in the next paragraph

• If the charts show change over time, you could organise the information by grouping categories that increased together in one paragraph and those that decreased together in another

• In time-based charts, it is a good idea to order data around trend direction rather than treating each year separately

• Try not to jump back and forth between unrelated data

Writing the body paragraphs

• Mention all categories shown in the pie chart (at least one point about each)

• Support every point and comparison  by including specific figures and numbers from the charts

• To avoid repetition, try to use synonyms for categories ( e.g. movie types → movie genres) 

• In category-based pie charts, make comparisons between the pie charts rather than describe trends or changes over time

• You can compare the same category across different groups

  • Example: Crime movies were preferred by 45% of boys, while only 4% of girls chose this genre

• Or you can compare different categories within the same group

  • Example: Among girls, comedy accounted for 35%, whereas horror made up just 5%

• Use linking words (e.g. “while,” “whereas,” “in contrast,” “by comparison”) to show relationships between figures

• Do not overload one sentence with too many numbers

• Try to spread the data across the paragraph instead of listing percentages one after another

• In each sentence, focus on one clear comparison or point

• Do not give your opinions about the data

• Make sure your body paragraphs match what you stated in your overview

• Do not add reasons or explanations 

• You do not need a conclusion, so do not write “in conclusion”