ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH WRITING

Features of an analytical paragraph:

i. It describes the given chart, table, data, graph, cues etc.
ii. It should be brief and comprehensive (include complete information) at the
same time.
iii. It should state facts that are provided by the chart.
iv. It is necessary to make use of simple and accurate language.
v. It should mention figures and quantities appropriately.
vi. It is appropriate to use the same tense throughout the analytical paragraph.
vii. No personal observation or response should be provided.
viii. It would be preferable to use the passive form of the verb.

An analytical paragraph shall be divided into three parts-

i. Introduction
ii. Body of the paragraph and;
iii. Conclusion

Format of Analytical paragraph

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)
IMAGE - FORMAT OF ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH
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 which 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 sub paragraphs makes it easy for the
reader to understand.
i. Organising 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
about 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 the 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, organise it well, state correct facts and
summarise it properly.
 Useful tips for writing an
analytical paragraph

▪ For introduction, you can start with the following phrases-

▪ The chart given above describes
▪ The table suggests
▪ The line graph shows
▪ The data given provides information about
▪ The pie chart illustrates, etc.
▪ For describing trends, use phrases and words like- pattern of
growth, rapidly doubled, skyrocketed, striking increase,
peaked, soaring rates, declined, plummeted, levelled off,
stagnated, fluctuate, starting to rise, starting to fall, drop
down, slightly, etc.
▪ 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 per cent, etc.
▪ For establishing 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 conclusion and other connecting phrases use- overall,
subsequently, in all, in a nutshell, for the chart given, in short,
striking changes, including, therefore, etc.

Analytical paragraphs- Examples,

samples
Question 1: Below is a graph given showing birth and death rates in a country
from 1901 to 2101. Write an analytical paragraph (100-150 words).

Answer 1:
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.

Question 2: 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 150 words.

Answer 2:
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 pet care. 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, pet care and maintaining odd jobs.

Question 3: 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 150 words.
Answer 3:
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.

Question 4: 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.

Answer 4:
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.

Question 5: 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).

Answer 5:
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.

Question 6: The graph given shows estimated sales of gold in Dubai in 2002.
Write an analytical paragraph describing the line graph in around 150 words.

Answer 6:
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.
Here we conclude the topic of Analytical paragraphs. As it is a new topic added to the
syllabus of Class 10, students need to prepare it well.