Task 1 Academic: Data Commentary Blueprint (Writing)

What examiners want

• Task Achievement: Summary of main features, accurate figures, no opinions.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Logical order, clear overview, smart paragraphing.
• Lexical Resource: Precise data language, varied comparisons, no repetition.
• Grammar Range and Accuracy: Correct tenses, comparatives, articles, prepositions.

60 second chart scan

The 3 by 3 Rule

• Pick 3 key features: highest or lowest, biggest change, strongest contrast.
• Note 3 numbers for each feature to prove it.
• Ignore minor fluctuations unless they support a main point.

Spot quickly

• Time trend present or not
• Units and scale
• Groups to compare

20 minute plan

• 1 min skim the task and mark key features
• 3 min write intro and overview
• 12 min write two detail paragraphs with grouped data
• 4 min refine word choice and check numbers

Paragraph map

1. Intro: Paraphrase the task and report the visual type and scope.
2. Overview: One or two sentences stating the big picture pattern. No numbers.
3. Details A: Group 1 or time period 1 with selective numbers.
4. Details B: Group 2 or time period 2 with selective numbers.

Never explain causes or give advice.

Universal sentence frames

• Intro: The chart illustrates X for Y from A to B. The units are Z.
• Overview: Overall, X increased while Y declined. The highest value was in P.
• Compare: X was higher than Y. X exceeded Y by about N.
• Trend: X rose steadily. Y fell sharply. Z remained relatively stable.

Data verbs and boosters

• Rise: rise, climb, grow, increase
• Fall: fall, decline, drop, decrease
• Stability: level off, remain steady, plateau
• Degree: slightly, steadily, sharply, dramatically, marginally
• Comparatives: higher, lower, more than, less than, almost twice, roughly half

Number language

• Fractions: about one third, roughly two fifths
• Ranges: from 20 to 35
• Change: increased by 15, fell by 8
• Proportions: accounted for 40 percent, made up nearly a quarter
• Approximation: about, around, nearly, approximately

Chart specific tips

Line or bar

• Group by pattern, not by color order. Start with extremes.
  Pie
• Convert slices into rankings and simple ratios. Combine very small slices.
  Table
• Rank columns, pick best or worst, highlight biggest gaps.
  Process
• Count stages, identify start and end, use passive forms.
  Maps
• Describe location shifts, additions, removals, and new functions.

Tense and grammar quick wins

• Time charts use past simple for finished periods.
• Processes use present simple passive.
• Maps use present if the map is current, past if dated.
• Articles: the proportion, the figure for X, a rise in Y.
• Prepositions: increase in sales, rise to 50, fall by 10.

Two minute quality check

• Word count 160 to 190
• Overview present and clear
• Numbers copied correctly
• Groups logical and balanced
• Repetition reduced with synonyms
• No opinions or reasons
• Accurate tenses and comparatives
• Spelling of percent and units consistent

Skeleton you can fill fast

Intro
The chart illustrates [indicator] for [groups] from [year] to [year].

Overview
Overall, [group A] showed the strongest growth, while [group B] declined. The highest figure appeared in [year or group].

Details A
At [start], [A] was [number], then [verb] to [number] by [year]. It remained [descriptor] compared with [B].

Details B
In contrast, [B] [verb] from [number] to [number]. By [year], [A] was [adverb] [comparative] than [B].

Micro templates by task type

Process

• Stage 1: Input materials
• Stage 2 to N: Transformations using passive forms
• Final outcome: Product or state

Maps

• Then vs now structure
• Use location terms: to the north, adjacent to, replaced by

Mini model outline (line chart example)

• Overview: Total consumption rose, Country X led growth, Country Y fell after 2010.
• Details A: X moved from 20 to 55 between 2000 and 2020, with a sharp rise after 2012.
• Details B: Y declined from 40 to 28, while Z remained near 30 to 33 across the period.

Practice in 5 minutes

• Set a timer for 60 seconds and apply the 3 by 3 Rule on any chart.
• Write only the overview in 2 sentences.
• Add two detail sentences with exact numbers.
• Review using the quality checklist.

Quick reference download snippet

Copy this four line plan into your notes:
Intro one sentence. Overview two trends. Details A with grouped numbers. Details B with grouped numbers.

Use this blueprint consistently and your reports will become faster, clearer, and more accurate.