Structural Breakdown
Introduction
Introduce the process diagram briefly
Paraphrase the question

Overview

• Provide a concise overview of the process in 2-3 sentences
• Use sequence words like “first, next, then, finally”
• Briefly mention the stages and steps without detail

Body Paragraphs 1

• Each paragraph describes a stage of the process in detail
• Use linking and sequence words to connect steps and stages (first, then, next, meanwhile, while, after that, finally)

Body Paragraphs 2

• Provide factual detail about inputs, outputs, equipment used, changes that occur
• Use passive voice and technical/specialized vocabulary

You need to select the key features of the diagram or chart, summarise the important information and make comparisons when it is appropriate.

The tone of your report should be formal and you must write at least 150 words.

1. IELTS Task 1 Process Diagram and Flow Chart Questions

The process diagram/flow chart will either describe a natural process or a production process. Sometimes a decision making process can be there – for instance, steps to buying a house.

1 Introduction and Overview

Unlike your response to an IELTS graph, chart, map or table, you do not need to separate your introduction and overview paragraph for a process diagram/flow chart.

In this paragraph, you need to summarise the diagram or chart in one statement. You must include all the key features. This is the most important paragraph in IELTS writing task 1.

Here are some useful phrases to introduce your first paragraph:

• The flow chart show information about…
• The pictures in the process diagram illustrate information about…
• The diagram illustrates information about…
• The diagram shows information about…

2. Main Body Paragraphs

Your main body paragraphs should go into more detail than your overview. Note that you do not have to separate your body paragraphs according to the number of diagrams. For example, there are four diagrams, you do not need to write four paragraphs: we recommend you write one or two paragraphs.

Here are some more helpful hints for your main body paragraphs:

• You should write about each stage of the process, but you will be able to write about some in more detail than others
• Use the vocabulary that is given to you in the diagrams
• You will need to change the tense of any sentences you are given (e.g. the imperative ‘dry the leaves’ would need to be changed to the passive ‘the beans are dried’)
• Use a mix of the passive and active voice. Keep in mind that passive voice helps to explain a process better.
• When using the passive voice and, if you think it is necessary, you can add the agent to the end of the sentence e.g., ‘after the tea is picked by the workers’
• Use linking phrases to describe the start, next stages or end of a process.

3. Linking Phrases for IELTS Process Diagrams/Flow Charts

You can use the following linking words and phrases to describe the start, next stages and end of a process

4. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Not using the passive voice effectively.

You need to use the passive voice when describing an IELTS process diagram or flow chart because it is often not clear who is doing the action and you want to put focus on the object of the sentence. Make sure you practise forming the present simple passive and present perfect passive as these will be very useful when writing this type of report.

Missing some of the stages in the diagram.

You should aim to write about each stage of the process. However, this does not mean you need to go into detail for each stage and you will have more to write about some stages than others.

1. IELTS Task 1 Process Diagram and Flow Chart Questions

The process diagram/flow chart will either describe a natural process or a production process. Sometimes a decision making process can be there – for instance, steps to buying a house.

1 Introduction and Overview

Unlike your response to an IELTS graph, chart, map or table, you do not need to separate your introduction and overview paragraph for a process diagram/flow chart.

In this paragraph, you need to summarise the diagram or chart in one statement. You must include all the key features. This is the most important paragraph in IELTS writing task 1.

Here are some useful phrases to introduce your first paragraph:

• The flow chart show information about…
• The pictures in the process diagram illustrate information about…
• The diagram illustrates information about…
• The diagram shows information about…

2. Main Body Paragraphs

Your main body paragraphs should go into more detail than your overview. Note that you do not have to separate your body paragraphs according to the number of diagrams. For example, there are four diagrams, you do not need to write four paragraphs: we recommend you write one or two paragraphs.

Here are some more helpful hints for your main body paragraphs:

• You should write about each stage of the process, but you will be able to write about some in more detail than others
• Use the vocabulary that is given to you in the diagrams
• You will need to change the tense of any sentences you are given (e.g. the imperative ‘dry the leaves’ would need to be changed to the passive ‘the beans are dried’)
• Use a mix of the passive and active voice. Keep in mind that passive voice helps to explain a process better.
• When using the passive voice and, if you think it is necessary, you can add the agent to the end of the sentence e.g., ‘after the tea is picked by the workers’
• Use linking phrases to describe the start, next stages or end of a process.

3. Linking Phrases for IELTS Process Diagrams/Flow Charts

You can use the following linking words and phrases to describe the start, next stages and end of a process

4. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Not using the passive voice effectively.

You need to use the passive voice when describing an IELTS process diagram or flow chart because it is often not clear who is doing the action and you want to put focus on the object of the sentence. Make sure you practise forming the present simple passive and present perfect passive as these will be very useful when writing this type of report.

Missing some of the stages in the diagram.

You should aim to write about each stage of the process. However, this does not mean you need to go into detail for each stage and you will have more to write about some stages than others.

How To Write an IELTS Map Essay

Step 1 – Analyse the question

The format of every Academic Task 1 question is the same. The tasks refer to the ‘main features’ of the graphic. You do not have to write about everything. Just pick out 2 or 3 key features and you’ll have plenty to write about.

Step 2 – Identify the Main Features

All you are looking for are the main features. Start with the earliest map. Identify the key features and look to see how they have changed in the later map, and again in the final map if there are three.

Step 3 – 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.

Step 4 – Write an Overview (Paragraph 2)

In the second paragraph, you should describe the general changes that have taken place. The detail comes later in the essay.

State the information simply. No elaborate vocabulary or grammar structures are required, just the appropriate words and correct verb tenses.

Step 5 – Write the 1st Detail Paragraph

Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your IELTS map essay are where you include more detailed information. In paragraph 3, you should give evidence to support your first 1or 2 key features.

In the case of our main features, 1 and 3 are closely related so we’ll write about these two together.

Step 6 – Write the 2nd Detail Paragraph

For the fourth and final paragraph, you do the same thing for your remaining key features.

Finished IELTS Map Essay

This sample IELTS map essay is well over the minimum word limit so you can see that you don’t have space to include very much detail at all. That’s why it is essential to select just a couple of main features to write about.

1. Introduction

You only need to write one or two sentences for your introduction. All you have to do here is paraphrase the given statement and briefly mention any other important features of the maps.

Here are some possible ways to start your introduction:

The two/three maps highlight

The maps illustrate

The maps show…

When you are paraphrasing, you do not need to change every word. However, you should aim to use synonyms, similar expressions and change the word order when it is appropriate to produce a sentence with the same meaning

2. Overview

After your introduction, you must include an overview paragraph. This is where you summarise the main features of the maps (without going into too much detail). This paragraph is very important to help you do well in ‘Task Achievement’

3. Main Body Paragraphs 

After your more general overview, you can go into detail about the maps in your main body paragraphs.

Consider the following points when writing your main body paragraphs:

• Make sure to use a range of correct tenses
• Select between six and eight important changes to write about
  Include the year when referring to each map
• Use linking phrases for maps to introduce different areas of the city
  Include the main changes relating to: things that have been made bigger/smaller; been added; taken away; changed into something different
• Consider changes that relate to: transport; infrastructure; industry; buildings; size; location
• Include the location of the changes on the map (e.g., did the changes happen in the North, South-East etc.)

4. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Using the wrong tenses to describe changes in the maps.

Take a moment to understand what time periods you are comparing. If you are comparing a map from the past and a map from ‘today’, then the present perfect passive is useful as you are comparing changes from the past to the present. The present perfect passive would not be suitable when comparing two maps in the past.

Not describing the location or date of each map.

To improve your score in task achievement, you need to make it clear to the examiner what map you are referring to. Make sure to include the year of the map or ‘today’ for maps in the present. You should also use vocabulary to describe the location of the map feature you are referring to.