Playbook at a glance

1. Read the title, units, and time span.
2. Circle the big moves: peak, minimum, crossover, turning point, fastest rise or fall.
3. Group items by shared pattern, not by color order.
4. Overview first, numbers later.
5. Prove each claim with 1 to 2 precise figures.

Signal Finder Checklist

• Extremes: highest and lowest values
• Net change: big rise or fall from start to end
• Crossover: one series overtakes another
• Turning point: growth to decline or decline to growth
• Rate: sharp vs gradual movement
• Stability: flat or narrow range
• Composition shift: share of categories changes over time

How to write them

• Extremes: The highest figure was in X, while Y recorded the lowest.
• Net change: A rose from 20 to 55, an increase of 35.
• Crossover: B overtook C after 2015 and remained ahead.
• Turning point: D grew until 2012, then fell steadily.
• Rate: E climbed rapidly between 2018 and 2020, then leveled off.
• Stability: F remained broadly stable around 30.
• Composition: The share of G expanded as H contracted.

Two sentence overview engine

• Template: Overall, [main upward trend], while [main downward trend]. In addition, [extreme or crossover] stood out.
• Example: Overall, online sales increased, while store sales declined. In addition, online purchasing surpassed in store figures after 2016.

Graded intensity language

Use boosters with care: much, far, significantly. Combine with comparatives: X was significantly higher than Y.

Timing plan

• 45 seconds scan and mark signals
• 3 minutes overview and paragraph plan
• 12 minutes details grouped by pattern
• 2 minutes final check

Drill Set A: Lines and bars

Data

• Series A: 2010 20, 2015 35, 2020 50
• Series B: 2010 40, 2015 38, 2020 32

Tasks

1. Write a two sentence overview using net change and crossover language.
2. One detail sentence for 2010 to 2015 that contrasts the rates.
3. One detail sentence for 2015 to 2020 that confirms who led at the end.

Model frames

• Overview: Overall, A rose strongly while B declined, and A surpassed B by 2020.
• Detail: Between 2010 and 2015, A climbed from 20 to 35, whereas B slipped slightly from 40 to 38.

Drill Set B: Pies to pies

Data

• 2000: A 50, B 30, C 20
• 2020: A 30, B 45, C 25

Tasks

1. One sentence on composition shift.
2. One sentence ranking 2020 categories.
3. One sentence quantifying a percentage point change.

Model frames

• The share of B expanded from 30 to 45, while A contracted from 50 to 30.
• In 2020, B was the largest segment, followed by A and C.
• A fell by 20 percentage points.

Drill Set C: Table to ranking

Data
City X: 72, City Y: 59, City Z: 41

Tasks

1. Rank using superlatives.
2. Compare the top and bottom with a difference.
3. Add a hedge for precision.

Model frames

• City X recorded the highest figure, while City Z had the lowest.
• X exceeded Z by 31.
• X was roughly a quarter higher than Y.

Frames for detail paragraphs

• Compare at a point: In 2018, A reached 48, significantly higher than B at 33.
• Describe a run: From 2016 to 2020, C rose steadily from 22 to 37, then leveled off.
• Crossover: Although D started below E, it overtook it after 2017 and remained ahead.
• Composition shift: By 2020, services accounted for nearly half of total output, up from about one third.

Accuracy rules that save marks

• Use increase in, rise to, fall by, drop from X to Y.
• Distinguish percent vs percentage points.
• Give exact numbers for headline points and approximations for minor ones.
• Keep tenses consistent with the time axis.
• Do not explain causes or add opinions.

Two minute end check

• Overview includes 2 trends and 1 standout feature
• Each paragraph groups by pattern, not by item
• 2 to 3 key numbers per paragraph
• Correct prepositions and units
• Varied verbs and adverbs
• Word count 160 to 190

Practice one drill per day. Focus on signals first, words second, numbers last. This order keeps your trend statements clear, balanced, and examiner friendly.