IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Tips:

Written below are the things you must know about the IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic Module):
Time: 20 minutes
Minimum Number of Words: 150
Task Type: Interpreting and presenting information based on a graph, table, chart, diagram, pictures, etc.

l Make sure you thoroughly understand the instructions to begin on the right track.
l Manage your time wisely by planning the number of paragraphs and what you will cover for each paragraph. Make a mental outline of what you want to say.
l You can start your introduction by telling the readers what it is you are supposed to interpret. Is it a graph? A table? (ex. The graph shows.... ) Then, follow it with what information that graph/table shows. You can look at the title, x and y axes (if it's a graph), pie slices, etc.) for clues on what main ideas to convey. Yes, start with the main ideas first. What in general does the graph show?(ex. The graph shows the sales figures of Honda cars in Australia from 1995 to 2005.
l From the general point of view, you can then move on to the supporting details by presenting the specific figures or detailed description of the diagram (whatever the case maybe).
l If you are not sure of the exact number you are to present, you can use words like 'approximately, around, nearly, almost, about, just over' before the figure.
l For expressing changes in the data, you can use verbs such as 'rose, increased, peaked, doubled, jumped, decreased, fell, dropped, fluctuated,' and other such words to describe the kind of changes that took place. If you would rather use nouns instead of verbs to describe the changes, it's also okay. Just use the noun form of the words mentioned.
l To give readers a more vivid picture of the data changes, you can add adverbs to describe the verbs (ex. Suddenly rose, gradually decreased...and so on). If you are using nouns to describe the changes though, you will have to use adjectives to make the description clearer. (ex. A sudden increase, a gradual decrease...and so on)
l There's no need to write a title nor a conclusion for task 1.
l Use left and right margins.
l You can indent the first line of each paragraph or you can use the block style but leave a space between paragraphs.
l Don't split your words. If the last word on the line is too long, just put it on the next line.
l Avoid using contractions (ex. Don't, can't, it's) and acronyms in task 1.
l It is said that it's better to use cursive writing in the writing tasks. However, make sure you write legibly.
l In making mistakes, just cross out the error with one line instead of covering the whole word with ink or putting it inside parentheses.
l Don't use double spacing and don't write with very big letters just so your report would reach the end of the second page. Around 10 words per line would be okay.
l Avoid using question marks and exclamation marks because formal writing doesn't make use of them.
l Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct.