I can see that some of you are not clear about paragraphing and organising information in writing task 1.
Paragraphs
You must have an introduction and an overview. They are usually separate paragraphs.
You CANNOT have one body paragraph and you CANNOT have four or more body paragraphs.
Your structure should be:
- Introduction
- Overview
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Body Paragraph 3 (optional and not common)
Can the overview go at the end of the report? See this page: Paragraph Structure
Can you have a conclusion? See this page: Conclusion or Overview
Organising Details in Body Paragraphs
When you organise your body paragraph details, you must choose a simple, logical system. It should be easy for the examiner to understand your organisation. Your body paragraphs should help highlight main features.
The bar chart below shows the hours per week that teenagers spend doing certain activities in Chester from 2002 to 2007.
Source of Bar Chart: https://www.english-in-chester.co.uk
Option 1 Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraph 1 = categories that increased over time
- going to pubs/ discos
- watching TV
- shopping
Body Paragraph 2 = categories that decreased over time
- doing homework
- doing sport
- bowling
Body Paragraph 3 = categories that fluctuated
- watching dvds
Option 2 Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraph 1 = highest and lowest
- watching TV
- bowling
Body Paragraph 2 – all other categories
- going to pubs/discos + shopping = increase
- doing homework + doing sport = decrease
- watching dvds = fluctuate
Which is best?
Both options are excellent. They both highlight key features and are organised logically.
Paragraphs do not need to be equal in length. This is not an essay, it is a report.
Model Writing Task 1
If you would like to see model answers for different writing task 1 as well as tips, click here: Main Writing Task 1 Page
All the best
