The 4 steps to writing about a table

These are useful steps to follow when writing a Task 1 report on tables:

Step 1:
Understand the information with a 5 point plan

• What is it about?
• What is on the horizontal axis?
• What is on the vertical axis?
• Is a specific time given?
• Is there any other information?

Step 2:
Note the main features (e.g. note highest/lowest points, check for common trends)

Step 3:
Decide on a paragraph structure (e.g. by year, by country, by category) and add other points of interest

Step 4:
Use sentences that summarise the main information and make comparisons where relevant