How to order data and ideas in IELTS writing (and elsewhere) 📊
If you want to arrive at a coherent text that is easy to follow, you can't just write whatever you want in any order you want (bummer, I know).
To organize information in a way that makes processing it easier for the reader, follow the principles below. Use them to organize your IELTS answer, particularly IELTS Writing Task 1, and any text that involves reporting facts and communicating objective information.
1️⃣ Chronological order: from beginning to end, from the past to the present to the future, from young to old. (This is a really strong one because we think chronologically.)
2️⃣ From the largest to the smallest or from the smallest to the largest.
3️⃣ From the least important to the most important and the other way around. (This can sound somewhat vague. I'll write a special post about this principle.)
4️⃣ From general to specific (or from specific to general—but this is less likely to be used in IELTS).
5️⃣ Order of familiarity: from familiar to unfamiliar, from the most familiar to the least familiar. ("Familiar" means familiar to the reader!)
6️⃣ Spatial, if applicable: from left to right, clockwise, from the entrance to the far end of the room (for example, in IELTS map/floor plan tasks).
In IELTS terms, these principles will fall under "Coherence and Cohesion" and, more specifically, "Progression." And perhaps "Task Achievement" too because well-organized reporting improves clarity.
These ways to order ideas will make your writing easier to follow. For example, compare the texts below. Which one is easier to read? Which principle is broken in the less effective piece? ❓
Example 1:
1. Make sure to proofread and edit your essay. But before you do, begin by brainstorming for ideas and lexical items. Then write the first draft. It's a good idea to take notes during the brainstorming stage.
2. Begin by brainstorming for ideas and lexical items on the topic. Make sure to take notes during the brainstorming stage. Then write your first draft. Finally, proofread and edit your essay several times if needed.
Example 2:
1. The highest level is observed in Japan, at 120. In Brazil, the level is only 60, while Canada is in second place with 100.
2. The highest level is observed in Japan, at 120. Canada is in second place, with 100. Meanwhile, the level in Brazil is fairly low—60.
In longer texts, these principles are even more important because there is more information for the reader to process. Don't break these principles unless you have a good reason.
Breaking them, on the other hand, is great in more creative genres—precisely because it's unusual to organize information differently. For example, the chronological principle is often broken in novels or movies to keep the reader engaged and intrigued. But this is not the goal you want to achieve in IELTS.
Have I missed some organizational principles? Share in the comments. 📝
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