What is an analytical paragraph?

An analytical paragraph is a form 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 choice.
The question carries 5 marks.
Features of an analytical paragraph:
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.

Format of an analytical paragraph

An analytical paragraph shall be divided into three parts-
Introduction
Body of the paragraph and;
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 200
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 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.
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 100-120 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.