Process Diagram Essay

Here’s a model essay structure that you can use as a guideline for all IELTS Academic Task 1 questions.
Your essay should have 4 paragraphs:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Paragraph 2 – Overview
Paragraph 3 – 1st main feature
Paragraph 4 – 2nd main feature

Analyse the question
Sentence 1 – A brief description of the graphic
Sentence 2 – The instructions
The graphic – diagram, chart, graph, table, etc.
Sentence 2 tells you what you have to do. You must do 3 things:
1. Select the main features.
2. Write about the main features.
3. Compare the main features. You do not have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

Identify the Main Features
All you are looking for are the main features. These should be the easiest things to spot. There will be lots of information in the graphic to help you identify them, especially, titles, labels and captions.
1) Is it a linear or a cyclical process?
2) Where does the process start and end?
3) How many steps are there to the process?
4) Can the process be easily broken down into stages?
5) What are the raw materials? What is produced at the end of the process?
6) What is the end result of the process?

Write an Introduction
In the introduction, you should simply paraphrase the question, that is, say the same thing in a different way. You can do this by using synonyms and changing the sentence structure. For example: Question:
The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power.
Introduction (Paragraph 1):
The two diagrams illustrate a method of creating electricity from the force of waves using a specifically designed man-made construction.

Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)
In the second paragraph, you should give a general description of the diagram/s or process. The detail comes later in the essay.

Write the 1st Detail Paragraph (Paragraph 3,4)
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS process diagram essay are where you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should explain the first key feature in more detail.

Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph
For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key features or, for this question, the second stage of the process.

The diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.