1. Describing graphs & diagrams

2. To remember Facts in the present = Simple Present
Facts in the past = Simple Past
Connection between the past and the present = Present Perfect.

3. List with phrases to describe charts
The pie chart is about ...
The bar chart deals with ...
The line graph (clearly) shows ...
The slices of the pie chart compare the ...
The chart is divided into ... parts.
It highlights ...
... has the largest (number of) ...
... has the second largest (number of) ...
... is as big as ...
... is twice as big as ...
... is bigger than ...
more than ... per cent ...
only one third ...
less than half ...
The number ... increases/goes up/grows by ...
The number ... decreases/goes down/sinks by ...
The number ... does not change/remains stable
I was really surprised/shocked by the ...
So we can say ...

4. The graph shows the number of international students on a pre-sessional course, at Southfield University, from 2000 to The horizontal axis presents the years and the vertical axis shows student numbers. The graph indicates that numbers of international students on the course each year have fluctuated. There was a decline in student numbers from , and , but generally, student numbers have increased over the period.

5. Carefully analyse the table or chart before you start writing.
What are the topics and the time frame?
What do the numbers and labels represent?
Be clear about what you are describing: A number? A percentage? A price?
Start by describing the overall situation.
DO NOT describe every single detail. Select examples that represent
the overall picture.
Try not to keep repeating the same language and sentence structures.
DO NOT describe the reasons or give your opinions — stick to the facts.
Finish with a concluding sentence summarising what we learn from the chart.