Process Diagrams: Introductions & Overviews (British Council Academic IELTS: Writing): Study Material

Process diagrams: introductions & overviews

Rephrasing the question

• In IELTS Writing Task 1, you may have to describe the stages shown in a process diagram. The diagram may show a natural process (e.g. the water cycle or the life cycle of an insect) or a human-made process (e.g. how paper is made or how solar panels work.)

• An example diagram in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 may look like this:

  

• The introduction usually includes two parts:

  • An introductory sentence that rephrases the task question (one sentence)

  • An overview describing the main stages of the process (two sentences)

• Identify what process the diagram illustrates before you start writing

• Make sure you understand each stage shown in the process 

• Remember not to copy the task question when writing your introductory sentence

• To avoid this, circle the keywords in the task question

• Think of synonyms for those keywords and use them to paraphrase the task question

• Make sure your paraphrase keeps the same meaning as the task question

• You do not need to paraphrase every word (keep terms such as “process diagram”)

• Do not include detailed data or comparisons in your introductory sentence

Example of a good introductory sentence

• Task question:

  • The diagram shows the process used to manufacture bricks for the UK building industry

• A possible introductory sentence:

  • The diagram explains how bricks are manufactured for the building industry in the UK

Process diagrams: finding the overview

• After your introductory sentence, you need to write the overview

• This is the part where you give an overview of the main stages shown in the process

• Aim to write two clear sentences

• Your overview should show that you understand the overall process and the stages involved

• Avoid describing details

• What you should look for:

  • The first and last stages

  • If these are not clearly numbered, choose a logical point to start the process

  • The number of stages – again, if this is not clear you can decide

  • If man-made, note whether the process is done by hand or by machine

Example of a good overview

• Task question:

  • The diagram shows the process used to manufacture bricks for the UK building industry

• A possible overview:

  • Overall, there are seven stages in this manufacturing process. It begins with the excavation of the clay from the quarry and ends with the delivery of the finished bricks to the building site