Lesson 6: Writing Task 1 - Process

Objectives:
- Learners understand the structure of a process report
- Learners can identify the main stages of a process
- Write effective overviews for a process report
- Organize body paragraphs effectively
- Use a variety of linking devices and complex structures to signal order

Activity 1: Look at the following diagrams. What does each of them describe? What
type of process are they, natural or man-made?

Diagram/process/flow chart
 Key takeaway 1: IELTS Writing Task 1 - Process
In IELTS Writing Task 1, you are likely to receive a man-made process. This type of
writing requires you to describe the process in detail, explaining how each step leads
to the next.

Types of processes:
- Man-made processes
- Production/Manufacturing process (e.g: how tea is produced)
- Operation (e.g: how a water filter system works)

- Natural processes (e.g: life cycle of an animal, photosynthesis cycle)

Key skills for describing processes:

- Understanding sequence: Recognize and describe the logical order of events.
- Summarizing effectively: Write a clear overview without excessive details
- Paraphrasing: Reformulate the task description using your own words.
- Using cohesive devices: Apply connectors and transition phrases to maintain
flow.
- Technical vocabulary: Incorporate specific terms relevant to the process.
- Mastering passive voice: Use passive constructions to describe steps clearly.

IELTS Writing Task 1 - Process structure

Paragraph Function
1 ‒ Introduction • paraphrase the prompt
2 ‒ Overview • provide a brief summary of the main steps / stages
3‒ • describe steps (along with ingredients / materials /
Body paragraphs equipment used) in detail

Activity 2: Look at the diagram. Answer the following questions:

1 - Does the process follow a linear or a cyclical pattern?

The process follows a linear pattern, as it progresses step-by-step from the collection of
used paper to the production of recycled paper without looping back to the starting
point.

2 - How many steps does this process entail? What is the first/last step of this
procedure?
There are 6 steps in total.
● First Step: Used paper is transported into a machine via a conveyor belt, where it
is mixed with water and chemicals to create raw pulp.
● Last Step: The dried sheets of pulp being wound into rolls of recycled paper,
ready for use or distribution.

3 - Can you group these steps into 2-3 main stages?

Stage 1: Beginning → Filtering (Preparation)
Stage 2: Cleaning → Recycled paper (Processing)

Activity 3: Look at the two provided overviews. Figure out which version is likely to
score higher by answering the questions.

Overview 1 Overview 2

Overall, this is a linear process Overall, this is a linear process

consisting of seven steps. It comprising seven steps, which
starts with the collection of can be organized into two main
Criteria used paper and ends with the stages. The first stage involves
production of recycled paper. filtering old pulp for recycling
and the second stage entails
mechanical processing to
produce recycled paper.

Task Satisfactory throughout, but still More informative

Achievement a bit too general
- Did the overview
provide a full
picture of the
process?

Grammatical Uses simple sentence Includes varied structures like It

Range and structures without much begins with... , followed by…
Accuracy variety. from which, showing more
- Was the
grammatical complexity.
overview
grammatically
correct?

- Did the overview

employ a wide
range of
grammatical
structures?

Lexical Resource Uses basic vocabulary that is Uses more varied and process-
- Did the overview not very topic specific, like specific vocabulary like linear
use general or collection, production, and process, mechanical processing
topic-specific
stages. and filtered.
vocabulary?
 Key takeaway 2 - How to write an effective overview for process diagrams

A good overview for a process diagram should provide a short summary of the main
stages.

You can refer to the following guidelines to help you craft an effective overview:

1 - Does the process follow a linear or a cyclical pattern?

2 - How many steps does this process entail? What is the first/last step of this
procedure?
3 - Can you group these steps into 2-3 main stages?

Activity 3: Practice writing the introduction and the overview for the following diagrams
1 - The diagram below shows how chocolate is produced.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
 The diagram/flow chart describes the manufacturing procedure
of chocolate.
The flow chart illustrates the process of manufacturing
chocolate/ the process in which chocolate is
Introduction made/manufactured.

Overall, this linear process contains 10 steps, which can be

organized/divided into two main phases. The first phase/stage
involves the preparation of cacao pods, while the second phase
Overview encapsulates the production of these raw materials.

2 - The diagram below shows how rainwater is collected for the use of drinking water in
an Australian town
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Introduction The diagram illustrates/descibes/depicts the step-by-step

transformation of rainwater into drinkable water in an Australian
town.
 … the process of collecting and processing rain water to produce
drinking water.
The flow chart illustrates the process of transforming rain water
into drinking water in an Australian town.

Overall, this linear process involves a total of 6 steps, which can

be further divived/organized/categorized into 2 main phases.
The first stage entails the collection of rainwater while the
second involves its treatment and distribution.
Overview

3 - The diagram below shows the stages in the recycling of aluminum drink cans.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

The flow chart illustrates the recycling of aluminum drink cans.

Introduction The flow chart illustrates how aluminum drink cans are recycled.
 Overall, this is a cyclical process including 4 steps, which can be
divided into two main stages. The first stage involves collecting
Overview
and sorting used cans, while the second stage entails the
treatment and distribution of recycled cans.

Activity 4: Put these linking words to the appropriate categories

then finally following this, and then

first of all after that to begin with, after which

subsequently at this point initially ultimately

at the beginning the next step is the last step is

next the first stage is the last stage is

Activity 5: Rewrite the sentences using the provided words and cues

1 - The tea leaves are picked and then they are put in the sun to dry
→ After being picked, the tea leaves are put in the sun to dry

2 - The canes are harvested. Subsequently, they are cleaned thoroughly

→ Once the canes have been harvested, they are cleaned thoroughly

3 - The boxes are labeled. Then the stamped boxes are delivered to the supermarket
→ Before being delivered to the supermarket, the boxes are labeled

4 - The fruits are sent to a factory. They are put into cans there (where)
→ The fruits are sent to a factory where they are put into cans
5 - The finished products are packed in containers. These containers are then
transported to the supermarket (which)
→ The finished products are packed in containers which are then transported to
the supermarket

6 - After the leaves have been cleaned, they are fed into a machine where they are mixed
with other ingredients
→ The cleaned leaves are fed into a machine where they are mixed with other
ingredients
7 - The wood is chopped into small pieces. After this, it is soaked in water to soften the
fibers
→ Having been chopped into small pieces, the wood is soaked in water to soften the
fibers

Key takeaway 3 - Enhancing cohesion by using a variety of structures

1 - Use time-order cohesive devices to sequence steps logically

Time-order transitions, such as first, then, after that, once completed, and finally, help
organize your description and clarify the order of events. For example:
- First, used paper is collected and sorted by type.
- Next, it is shredded and mixed with water to create pulp.
- Finally, the cleaned pulp is pressed and dried to form new sheets of paper.

2 - Reference phrases to maintain cohesion

Use reference phrases such as the softened pulp, the cleaned fibers, or the processed
sheets to describe how the material changes during each step of the process. This
helps connect sentences smoothly and ensures cohesion by avoiding repetitive
language.

3 - After / Once / Before structures

E.g: Activity 5 - (1), (2), (3)

4 - Relative clauses (which, where, …)

E.g: Activity 5 - (4), (5), (6)

5 - Past Participle phrases

E.g: Activity 5 - (7)

Activity 6: Examine two versions of body paragraphs below. Decide which version is
better by evaluating each criterion

Version A Version B

Body paragraph 1: Body paragraph 1:

 The process begins with used paper The first stage of this process involves
being collected and transported on a turning the old paper into pulp. It begins
conveyor belt to a machine. In this with used paper being transported via a
machine, the paper is mixed with water conveyor belt into a machine where it is
and chemicals to create pulp. This pulp combined with water and chemicals to
is then passed through a filtering stage. create unfiltered pulp. This raw pulp then
During this step, dirt is taken out from undergoes a filtering stage, during which
the pulp to make it cleaner. impurities and debris are removed.
Body paragraph 2: Body paragraph 2:

After filtering, the pulp is made cleaner in The paper pulp is processed to produce
another tank where it is mixed with water recycled paper in the second stage.
and soap. This removes ink and other Following filtration, the pulp enters a
marks. The cleaned pulp is then dried cleaning tank, where water, soap, and air
and flattened using a machine. In the bubbles are introduced to eliminate ink
final step, the recycled paper is produced particles and residual stains. Once
and ready to be used for various thoroughly cleaned, the pulp is passed
purposes. through heated rollers, which dry and
press it into sheets. These dried sheets
are then wounded into rolls of recycled
paper, ready for use or distribution.

Task Covers the key steps but lacks detail Explains each stage precisely with
Achievement (e.g., the paper is made cleaner). details (e.g., air bubbles are introduced to
eliminate ink particles).

Coherence & Uses basic linking words (then, after). Demonstrates a wider range of cohesive
Cohesion devices (during which, once thoroughly,
completing the process).
Referencing is used effectively (This raw
pulp, These dried pulp)
There is a topic sentence to help the
reader understand the big picture.

Lexical Repeats basic vocabulary (clean, Uses a more varied and precise
Resource remove, ready) and uses general terms vocabulary (debris, residual stains,
(another tank). eliminate).

Grammatical Relies heavily on simple sentences (The Use complex structures, including
Range & pulp is cleaned. Then it is dried.). relative clauses.
Accuracy

Activity 7: Read the sample essay below for the wool production process. Improve the
writing as instructed.
The diagram below shows the process of wool production.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

The diagram shows how wool is produced.

First, wool is collected from sheep by shearing. It is then cleaned to remove dirt and
dried. After that, the wool goes through carding, where the fibers are straightened and
made into tufts. These tufts can be stored or used immediately. Some wool is also
recycled. Next, the tufts are processed into finished products. They are spun into yarn,
which can be stored or sold. The yarn is then used for knitting to make woolen goods
like jackets and carpets.

→ You should:
● Add an overview
● Divide the body into 2 paragraphs
● Use more linking words and more diverse structures to show order and transition
● Remember to add a topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph to
further ensure coherence and cohesion
The diagram illustrates the successive stages involved in transforming raw fleece from
sheep into finished woollen products such as jackets and carpets.
The diagram illustrates the step-by-step production of wool.

Overall, the process is linear at first but later branches into two possible pathways. It
begins with shearing sheep to obtain fleeces and ends either with yarn being knitted
into consumer goods or with string being recycled.

Initially, sheep are shorn and the loose wool is thoroughly cleaned with water to remove
dirt and grease. The washed fibres are then dried before undergoing carding, a
mechanical procedure that aligns/turns them into a uniform tuft of wool.

From this point, the fibres follow two routes. In the main sequence, the tuft is
funnelled/put into storage and subsequently spun into balls of yarn. These balls can
later be knitted to create finished items, exemplified in the chart by/namely a jacket and
a carpet.

A secondary route occurs immediately after carding: some of the aligned fibres are
twisted into string rather than yarn. Any leftover string is fed back into the system for
recycling (ensuring minimal waste and maintaining production efficiency).
Activity 8: (HW) Write full reports for all 3 diagrams in Activity 3
The diagrams show the structure of a solar panel and its use.

The diagram illustrates how a simple solar panel is assembled and how it generates
energy.

Overall, this apparatus is made up of 3 major components, which are the inlet, the outlet
through which air and water travels, and a piece of transparent glass.

Regarding the design of the solar panel, it is a rectangular-shaped, metallic device which
sports an inlet on one side of the wall. This allows air or water to travel inside. On the
opposite side of the device mounts an outlet, where heated substances escape. A piece
of transparent glass, whose purpose is to absorb direct heat from the sun, sits on top of
the panel.

In terms of its mechanism, the panel employs solar energy to heat substances up. When
cold air enters the device through the inlet, it is heated by the sun rays collected by the
glass pane. The warmed air travels through the device, and outside via the outlet.
Similarly, when the inlet receives cold water, it travels to the exit through a tube, during
which it receives energy generated from the solar power. Ultimately, warm water is
obtained as the final output.
(191 words)