How to write IELTS Task 1 Academic ‘Process Diagrams’

There are 3 main types of diagrams in Writing Task 1 Academic:
a.) Dynamic graphs 
b.) Static graphs  
c.) Diagrams (Maps, Processes) <– we’re talking about processes 

In this post I will show you how to write about Process Diagrams. 

Already know how to write IELTS Task 1 Processes? Send me your practice essays for expert feedback:

Fortunately, the essay structure for every type of Task 1 is basically the same. 

Structure: Task 1 – Academic
4 paragraphs
1.) Summary / Introduction
2.) Overview
3.) Body 1
4.) Body 2

What are Process Diagrams?

Process diagrams describe the sequence of steps either to show how something is made or how something works. The steps of each process are numbered or labelled to help you understand it 

For example, this process diagram shows how glass containers are made. The steps of the process are numbered 1 to 9.

Sometimes you might see a natural process. For example, this process diagram shows the life cycle of a fish.

But in most cases, an IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagrams depict a manmade structure:

You might also get a diagram with 2 separate processes. For example, this process diagram shows how a hot air balloon ascends (goes up) and descends (goes down). The steps for each process are labelled.

In this blog post we will look at how to approach all kinds of IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagrams, paragraph-by-paragraph.

1.) Process Diagram Introduction / Summary

The introduction paragraph in Task 1 only needs to be 1 or 2 sentences. Like all IELTS Writing Task 1 essays, your introduction should present the main purpose of the graph to the reader in your own words. This means paraphrasing the official IELTS diagram description if you can.

In most cases, you can use one of the following phrases to start your introduction: 

• The diagram shows … the glass+gerund process / cycle
• The diagram depicts … the process of + Gerund
• The diagram explains … how [noun] is made / is done / is created

We use the Present Simple because the process is always the same.

Here is a language table which you can use to help you create Process Diagram introductions:

​How [noun] + is/are made How [noun] + works	The process of + Gerund	The [noun] + [gerund/noun] + process / method
​- The images show + how glass containers are shaped and made on an industrial scale. – The picture illustrates how a hot air balloon + is operated.    – The image depicts how the life cycle of a large fish + works.	​- The diagram depicts … the process of + making and shaping glass containers. – The graphic shows … the process of + operating a hot air balloon.	– The image details … the glass container + shaping + process – The diagram shows … a large fish + life cycle.  – The diagrams show … the sugar cane + harvesting + process.

Here are some examples of introduction/summary paragraphs using the language table above.

• The pictures show … how plastic bottles are recycled
• The diagram shows … the process of recycling plastic bottles.
• The diagram shows … the plastic bottle recycling process.

Another example:

• The images illustrate … the process of flying a hot air balloon.
• The diagram depicts … how a hot air balloon is flown and operated.

You try! – Write an introduction sentence for this process diagram task. Use the table above to help you.

 

2.) Map Diagram Overview

The purpose of the overview paragraph is to give a short summary of the main features. 

In process diagrams, the main features can include:

• The starting actions of the process and the final outcome.
• The machines that have the most significant effect or have similar functions. e.g. ovens/kilns for heating – crushers/mixers for breaking down the material, generators/turbines for creating electricity or energy)
• The changes in the state of the materials (liquid > metal / cold > hot / shaped > destroyed)

Here is a language table you can use to help you create your own process diagram overviews:

​Starting actions and Final outcome	​Main machinery used in the process	Key changes in state of material
​- Overall, we can see that … the plastic bottles go through a 9-stage process, from being picked to finally re-made as sellable products. – Overall, we can see that … the sugar cane goes through a 7-stage production process, from being grown and harvested to eventually dried.	​- Overall we can see that … the geothermal power plant uses a series of wells, water pumps, and a turbine to generate electricity. – Overall, we can see that glass is put through a series of furnaces, kilns and moulds to eventually be shaped into a finished product.	– Overall, we can see that used plastic bottles are almost completely destroyed back into raw materials before being re-made into a range of different products. – Overall, we can see that … the raw sugar cane is crushed and then purified into raw sugar in a 7-stage process, before it is ready to be sold.

In some cases, to make a longer overview it is also possible to [combine] some of the features above. I do this in my examples below:

• Overall, we can see that the plastic bottles go from being collected to re-made as consumer items, [during which time] they are taken from empty used bottles and are reduced to a raw material through a series of compressing machines and crushers.

In process diagrams about how machines work, the most common main feature is to highlight the main machinery or mechanisms in the diagram and describe what their function is. For example:

• Overall, we can see that … the operator of the hot air balloon primarily uses a system of cords, valves and burners to control the height of the balloon.
• Overall, we can see that … controlling the height of the hot air balloon involves a system of cords, valves and burners, which allow the operator to lift and lower the balloon.

You try! – Write an overview paragraph for this process diagram task. Use the table above to help you.

3.) Body Paragraphs

Next are the Body paragraphs of your Task 1 report. You can write 2 or 3 Body paragraphs. 

Body paragraphs describe the main features of the process in detail, including the specific actions or machines used in every step. 

It is absolutely best to go through the process chronologically (from start to finish). 

To help the reader follow the process, you should also use signposts to tell the reader when  you are describing the next step. 

You can use basic signposts or advanced signposts.

Basic Signposts	Advanced Signposts:
– First, – Before,  – Then,  – Afterwards / After that,   – Next, – Finally,	– After the glass has melted, … – Once the plastic has been crushed, …  – When the water has been heated, …  – As the hot air leaves the balloon, …  – With the sugar turned into syrup, …

Use the labels on the diagram to help you write. Often these labels have a verb or adjective form. You can also use the active voice or passive voice of the verb to avoid repetition and show your vocabulary/grammar ability. 

For example:

What actions can see and describe here?

Sorting : to sort
Passive Voice: is / are sorted – “The bottles are sorted into 2 groups…” 
Adjective: sorted – “The sorted bottles are sent to … [Step 4]”. 

 

 

In most cases, the Passive Voice is the most common voice to use in IELTS Task 1 process diagrams, that’s for two reasons: 

1. The process is the same every time (it doesn’t matter who does it)
2. We don’t always know who operates the machines (it’s not an important feature)

Here are some examples of full essays that use the same tips as above. The [signposts] and [the passive voice] have been highlighted. 

Introduction: The diagram shows the process of recycling plastic bottles. 

Overview: Overall, we can see that the plastic bottles go from being collected to re-made as consumer items, during which time they are taken from empty used bottles and are reduced to a raw material through a series of compressing machines and crushers. 

Body 1: [First of all], disposed of plastic bottles are collected from recycling bins. [Before], a garbage truck transports the bottles to a recycling centre. [After they have arrived,] the bottles are sorted into two categories based on their viability, and the usable bottles are compressed into large blocks. 

Body 2: [After that], these blocks are crushed into small pieces of plastic, where they are then washed. The small plastic pellets that are produced and then are put into another machine which creates heated pellets that form raw material. [Finally], this raw material is used to produce brand new products such as bottles, clothes, recycled bags and even pencils.  (162 words)

 

Introduction: The diagram depicts how a hot air balloon is flown and operated. 

Overview: Overall, we can see that controlling the height of the hot air balloon involves a system of cords, valves and burners, which allow the operator to lift and lower the balloon. 

Body 1: (focus on ascending) In order to ascend, the pilot must [first] open the gas tanks located inside the passenger basket and ignite the burners. With the valve at the top of the hot air balloon closed, this allows more hot air to fill the balloon envelope, which causes the balloon to rise. 

Body 2: (focus on descending) In contrast, to descend the balloon, the gas tanks and burners must be closed and turned off. [Then, once the valve cord is pulled by the operator], the valve at the top of the balloon opens and allows the hot air to be released. [As the hot air leaves the balloon], the entire craft begins to return to the ground. (164 words)

You try! – Write the body paragraphs for this process diagram task. Use the examples above to help you.

Introduction: The pictures depict how glass containers are created and shaped.

Overview: Overall, we can see that glass is put through a series of furnaces, kilns and moulds to eventually be shaped into a finished product.

There you go! A high-band approach, several examples and a reliable framework for you to use in your own IELTS Writing test. 

Questions? Write them in the comments below. 

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