BHATNAGAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

PASCHIM VIHAR

FORM X

WRITING SKILL- ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH WRITING

What is an analytical paragraph?

Analytical Paragraph writing - An analytical paragraph is a form of descriptive
writing which is written on the basis of a given chart, graph, data, outline, clues,
table, etc. When writing an analytical paragraph, one should remember to
describe the facts in the best possible manner and to cover the information
provided.
The analytical paragraph has to be written in around 100-120 words. So the
paragraph must use clear and crisp language along with providing complete
details of the chart given in the question. There will be an internal choice given.
You need to attempt one question out of the two questions of analytical
paragraphs given as a choice. The question carries 5 marks.
Features of an analytical paragraph writing-
 It describes the given chart, table, data, graph, cues etc.
 It should be brief and comprehensive (include complete information) at the
same time.
 It should state facts that are provided by the chart.
 It is necessary to make use of simple and accurate language.
 It should mention figures and quantities appropriately.
 It is appropriate to use the same tense throughout the analytical
paragraph.
 No personal observation or response should be provided.
 It would be preferable to use the passive form of the verb.

Analytical Paragraph Writing Format

An analytical paragraph shall be divided into three parts-

1.Introduction

2.Body of the paragraph

3.Conclusion
Format of Analytical paragraph writing
Introduction
(explain in one or two lines the subject of the graph given)
Body
(explain in detail what the graph is about, use relevant figures, explain trends, make
comparisons and contrasts, divide into sub paragraphs, if required)
Conclusion
(conclude the paragraph giving the overall view or summary of the graph)

Let us discuss each of these in detail -

1. The introduction
The introduction is the first paragraph that should describe in brief what the graph
is about. It should be like an opening paragraph that introduces the reader to the
context of the chart given. When writing the introductory paragraph, you need not
go into the details. You just need to mention what is clearly evident from the chart
or the graph given in the question. It is best to write the introduction in one or two
lines.
2. The body of the paragraph
This part of the analytical paragraph should contain details of the graph/chart
given in the question. It should contain all the important information. It is
extremely important to choose the significant details that should be included in
the paragraph.
The body can be broken into two or three sub-paragraphs depending on the
information extracted from the graph. Breaking the body into subparagraphs
makes it easy for the reader to understand.
i.Organizing information: You should look for the large differences
that are very prominent. You can mention the aspect which is the
smallest or the largest in the data given. Any aspects that are similar
should be mentioned next. You should further mention about the aspect
that has remained unchanged or constant throughout.
ii. Comparing information: If the chart mentions two different parties,
for example, men and women, refer to both of them in the analytical
paragraph. If there is any contrast or comparison that could be drawn,
you must present it effectively. If the chart is about a particular time
period or highlights trends of several years, mention each year in a
concise manner. If any comparison or contrast can be done for two or
more years, you should write about it too.
iii. Mentioning quantities: When including numbers and figures, their
 accuracy must be ensured. There are a number of ways that can be
used to describe quantities, for example- percentage, fraction, ratios,
etc.
iv. Connecting sentences: If different information or ideas are there,
you should use connectors or linking phrases to link them logically. The
sentences of the paragraph should be sequential and connected
rationally
3. The conclusion
The last paragraph should summarise the idea mentioned and the information in
general. It should be concluding in nature and act as the closing statement. One
should keep in mind that one must not include any personal opinions,
conclusions, or observations. You should simply stick to the facts.
You need not dispose of the information to write a good analytical paragraph.
The key is to choose wisely the important information, organize it well, state
correct facts and summarise it properly.

Useful tips for writing an analytical paragraph

 For an introduction, you can start with the following phrases-

i. The chart given above describes

ii. The table suggests
iii. The line graph shows
iv. The data given provides information about
v. The pie chart illustrates, etc.

 For body of the paragraph

ii. For describing trends, use phrases and words like- a pattern of growth,
rapidly doubled, skyrocketed, striking increase, peaked, soaring rates,
declined, plummeted, leveled off, stagnated, fluctuate, starting to rise,
starting to fall, drop down, slightly, etc.
iii. For describing quantities, use various styles like- 48% of, one-third of,
nearly one-fourth of, almost 80%, majority, on average, twice as much,
almost equal, the highest, the lowest, very close to 2%, roughly,
approximately 5% of, just under three percent, etc.
iv. For establishing a relationship or contrast, use phrases and words like-
relationship between, similarly, in contrast with, in comparison to, but in the
opposite case, however, whereas, when it comes to, as opposed to, while,
striking difference, noticeable difference, etc.
  For the conclusion and other connecting phrases use- overall,
subsequently, in all, in a nutshell, for the chart given, in short, striking
changes, including, there etc

SOLVED EXAMPLES:
1-Study the chart given below, which is the result of the survey conducted in the public
schools and government schools of Vadodara. This depicts the types of activities the
teenagers (Age 13- 19 years are involved during their leisure time). Complete the
summary in about 100-150 words.

Teenagers and leisure time

Now a days the teenagers are more techno-savvy than the children used to be ten
years back. They do not play games like Ludo, Carrom, Chess and other indoor games.

9-18 % of boys and girls in the age group of 13-19 years possess their own cell
phones. In the survey conducted recently on some 2000 students of two leading
schools- one government and the other a public school, the following facts were
revealed.
To conclude, the students from public schools spend more of their leisure time in net-
surfing and talking on cell phones, the government school students spend it in watching
TV and talking to their friends.

Q2: Below is a graph given showing birth and death rates in a country from 1901 to 2101.
Write an analytical paragraph (100-150 words).

Ans2:
The graph shows birth and death rates starting from 1901 till 2101.
Since 1901, the birth rate has remained more than the death rate until 2041. Birth rate was
20000 in 1901 and started increasing gradually. It peaked in 1961 to around 65000. From
1961, birth rate has fluctuated multiple times between 50000 and 60000. It is expected to
decline for the coming years reaching approximately 42000 by 2101.
On the other hand, the death rate stood at around 10000 in 1901 and then has increased
steadily. It is expected to rise strikingly from 2021 before levelling off to approximately
60000 between 2061 and 2081. The graph indicates a slight decline in deaths in the year
2101.
The graph shows the huge gap between birth rate and death during 1961 to 2001. However,
this gap is expected to reduce in the later years. Overall, as opposed to the prevailing trends,
the death rate will be more than the birth rate in the later half of the 21st century.

Q3: The chart shows the division of household tasks by gender in Great Britain. Write an
analytical paragraph describing the chart given in not more than 200 words.

Ans3:
The chart shows the number of minutes per day spent by British men and women in doing
household tasks. On an average, the women spend about four hours doing household tasks
whereas the men spend less than two and half hours.
The tasks on which women spend more time than men include cooking, cleaning house,
taking care of the children and laundry. In doing all these tasks, women spend approximately
200 minutes which is almost three times the time spent by men in these tasks. On the other
hand, men spend twice the time than women in doing tasks like gardening and maintenance
of odd jobs in the house. Men spend the highest time, almost 50 minutes, in gardening and
petcare. While the women spend only 30 minutes for these tasks. The time spent by men in
washing, ironing and sewing clothes is as low as 2 minutes per day as opposed to 25 minutes
spent by women.
In short, women spend far more time doing household chores than men whilst men prefer to
do gardening, petcare and maintaining odd jobs.
Q4: The pie chart shows the proportion of people from different households living in poverty
in the UK in 2002. Write an analytical paragraph to describe the information in 100-120
words.

Ans4:

The given pie chart illustrates seven different categories of households living in poverty in
the UK in 2002.
It is clearly evident from the pie chart that 26% of the total poverty-stricken households are
those of sole parents. Single people without children account for the second highest
proportion with 24%. In contrast to couples without children that accounts for just 9%,
couples with children account for 15% of the poor households. Single aged persons and aged
couples proportion for 12% together for poor households.
Overall, 14% of all households in the UK were living under poverty. The younger generation
had a greater poor percentage than their aged counterparts. Couples without children had
better economic conditions than those with children.
Q5: The following table shows details about the internet activities for six categories for
different age groups. Write an analytical paragraph for the table given in around 150-200
words.

Ans5:

The given table suggests the internet activities of seven age groups ranging from teens to
those in their seventies for six different kinds of activities. The table shows that the younger
generation is more interested in online games and news, while the older generation spends
time on the internet to research and buy products.
It is evident from the table that teens mainly use the internet for games (as high as 81%),
news and downloads and are interested in searching for people or friends or doing any
product research. The middle-age group (people in 20s to 60s) is highly interested in getting
news, doing product research and buying products, the percentage ranging from 70-80%. The
internet activity which gets the least time is searching for people. All the age groups spend
less than 30% of their internet time on the same. The amount of time spent on downloads
decreases with age and gets as low as 6% (for people in 70s).
Overall, the table suggests that teenagers are most likely to spend time playing games and
doing downloads. On the other side, older people are interested in researching and buying
products. People spend the least amount of time searching for other people online.
Q6: Below given are three pie charts showing consumption habits of India, China and World
overall in 2008. Write an analytical paragraph describing the pie charts (100-120 words).

Ans6:

The three given pie charts depicts types of food consumption in 2008 as compared in two
countries- India and China. In general, processed food is the major type of food eaten.
Processed food comprises as high as 41% of the global consumption. In China and India as
well, processed foods are consumed the most, the rate of consumption being 34% and 39%
respectively. On an average, vegetables and fruits constitute 29% of consumption. In China,
vegetables and fruits comprise 32% of food consumption which is 9% more than that of
India. For Indians, animal food accounts for 27% of their diet, exceeding Chinese food
consumption by a striking 12%. However, nuts and seeds comprise almost one-fifth of
Chinese food habits. This is way more than the global consumption of 4% and 11% of India.
Overall, world food consumption largely comprises processed food. Chinese consumption of
nuts and seeds is unbelievably higher than the average percentage.
Q7: The graph given shows estimated sales of gold in Dubai in 2002. Write an analytical
paragraph describing the line graph in around 150 words.

Ans7:
The line graph depicts the estimated sales of gold in Dubai for a period of twelve months in
2002 in millions of Dirhams.
In January 2002, the sales stood at 200
million Dirhams. It steadily increased
through the next month and peaked to 350
million Dirhams in the third month of the
year. However, the gold sales started to
plummet over the next three months and hit 110 million Dirhams in the month of July.
Unexpectedly, the sales doubled in August before coming down to the same level as in July
for the month of September. For the next two months of the year, the gold sales levelled off
to 180 million Dirhams and then slightly increased in December.
Overall, the estimated gold sales fluctuated in 2002. The sales were the highest in the month
of March and lowest in the months of July and September. The sales at the end of the year
were almost the same as they were in the beginning of the year.