Process Diagrams

Process Diagrams

How to Write Reports with Process Diagrams

Process diagrams show how something a sequence of events that demonstrate how something is made or a natural effect. They always show steps or stages, and the passive tense is most often used in these examples. Process Diagrams are easier to write Reports about because your main task is to describe what is on the paper in front of you. Whereas in charts, graphs, or tables you have to interpret the data.

Here is some advice.

• Look at the diagram. Consider the process it is describing. Be aware of the sequence and number of steps shown.

• Before you start writing, identify the process, order, or sequence of the information.

You must pay attention to the order of the steps or the stages of the process or flow in the information. This order becomes the key point of your description, without this the examiner will not be impressed.

• For your introduction and trend paragraph, paraphrase the question statement and the trend should identify how many steps are involved in the process. You should write exactly how many steps there are in the question information. Just write one sentence for the trend idea.

• In your two 'details' paragraphs, try to compare parts of the process, such as the differences between the steps. If you cannot compare steps, discuss each step itself but the examiner will want to see comparisons. Try to organize the information into 2 groups - one for the first half of the process or flowchart and the second paragraph will describe the rest of the information. If there are six steps then the first paragraph would discuss steps 1 to 3 and the second details paragraph would highlight steps 4 to 6.

• Describe the order of the steps or the process you have identified -include at least 4 or 5 details discussing the process in each of the two paragraphs.

• The use of the passive tense will be the best choice for these process diagrams.

If you do this, your band score will be higher and in fact, the examiner will be looking for the use of the passive voice in your Report answer.