Written by Angela Rutherford
Introduction
Like any test, the IELTS exam can be stressful, so it helps if you can find some fun in it. For example, when I see a process diagram on the Academic writing test, I get a little excited because I like to learn about how things are made or how they work.
I’m hoping that, with some tips and practice, you too will enjoy these tasks. In this blog, after looking at various types of diagrams, I will show you how your description can fit into a basic formula that can be used for all academic task one reports. I will also demonstrate how the overview paragraph differs slightly from those about charts, graphs, or maps.
What do process diagrams look like?
Process diagrams can show cyclic processes like the life cycle of a pond frog from egg to adult. Notice how arrows are often used to lead you through the stages in the diagrams.
This drawing guides you through the steps for making freeze-dried coffee from start to finish. This is a linear process.
You can also encounter processes that are linear with a cyclic element, like the generation of hydro-electric power. Note how there is a start and finish but also a cycle of water that helps generate the power.
Sometimes you might see two pictures about a related process, such as the following linear production of cement. Note that it has a start and finish before it is added to the mix for concrete.
What information is important and how do you organize your writing?
The structure of these reports is no different than any other academic task one writing.
Introductory paragraph
Overview paragraph
Detail paragraphs
The introduction rephrases the prompt, such as for the one in the cement and concrete example above, you might write: The diagrams illustrate how cement is made and then how it is used in the production of concrete for construction.
When you write your overview paragraph, think of summarizing the important features of the process- don’t bother with the specifics or data because you will present that information in the detail paragraphs. Here are some simple questions you can ask yourself when formulating the overview. I will use the cement/concrete example to demonstrate how to answer.
Cyclic or Linear? | Linear |
|---|---|
How does it start and what is the end result? | Starts with the combination of raw materials and ends by mixing the product with 3 other ingredients to produce cement. |
How many steps or stages? | 5 steps to make cement before mixing concrete |
How are raw materials changed? | Crushed, mixed, heated, ground and bagged, then combined |
What, if any, machinery is used? | Crusher, mixer, rotating heater, grinder, concrete mixer |
You can now select from this information to summarize in the overview:
The 5-step process of making cement is linear and starts with the combination of three raw materials that are crushed, mixed, heated, ground, and bagged. The cement is then added to a concrete mixer with three other ingredients to produce concrete.
3. Once you have outlined the steps or stages, it is so much easier to fill in the details and, because it is a process, you simply describe what happens in sequence.
The making of concrete has several steps. Limestone and clay are crushed into powder and mixed together. This powder then passes through a rotating heater. After being heated, the mixture is ground down to form cement. The cement is then bagged for easy transport.
There are 4 ingredients used to make cement which is a simpler process. The proportions of these materials are 15% cement, 10% water, 25% sand and 50% gravel. They are combines together in a specialized mixer to form concrete that is used for building purposes.
Here is what the response would look like when put together:
The diagrams illustrate how cement is made and then how it is used in the production of concrete for construction.
The 5-step process of making cement is linear and starts with the combination of three raw materials that are crushed, mixed, heated, ground, and bagged. The cement is then added to a concrete mixer with three other ingredients to produce concrete.
The making of concrete has several steps. Limestone and clay are crushed into powder and mixed together. This powder then passes through a rotating heater. After being heated, the mixture is ground down to form cement. The cement is then bagged for easy transport.
There are 4 ingredients used to make cement which is a simpler process. The proportions of these materials are 15% cement, 10% water, 25% sand and 50% gravel. They are mixed together in a specialized mixer to form concrete that is used for building purposes.
Conclusion
There is a lot to like about these tasks including all of the vocabulary that you are given. |
In addition, after reading this, I hope you will see that you do not need to be intimidated by how complicated they can sometimes appear.
Use the questions in the chart to formulate the overview and then organize your writing using the simple formula. With enough practice, you might even smile if you find one of these on your exam. Good luck and have fun with it.