What is an analytical paragraph?

Analytical Paragraph writing – An analytical paragraph is a form of 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.

Features of an analytical paragraph writing-

1. It describes the given chart, table, data, graph, clues etc.

2. It should be brief and comprehensive (include complete information) at the same time.
3. It should state facts that are provided by the chart.
4. It is necessary to make use of simple and accurate language.
5. It should mention figures and quantities appropriately.
6. It is appropriate to use the same tense throughout the analytical paragraph.
7. No personal observation or response should be provided.
8. It would be preferable to use the passive form of the verb.
Analytical Paragraph Writing Format
An analytical paragraph shall be divided into three parts-

Format of Analytical paragraph writing

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)

Let us discuss each of these in detail –

1. How Do You Start An Analytical Paragraph?

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 that 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 subparagraphs makes it easy for the
reader to understand.
i. Organizing 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 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 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, organize it well, state correct facts and summarise
it properly.

How To Write A Good Analytical Paragraph?

1. Useful tips for writing an analytical paragraph
2. For an introduction, you can start with the following phrases-
3. The chart given above describes
4. The table suggests
5. The line graph shows
6. The data given provides information about
7. The pie chart illustrates, etc.
For describing trends, use phrases and words like- a pattern of growth, rapidly doubled, skyrocketed,
striking increase, peaked, soaring rates, declined, plummeted, leveled 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 percent, etc.

For establishing a 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 the conclusion and other connecting phrases use- overall, subsequently, in all, in a nutshell, for
the chart given, in short, striking changes, including, therefore, etc.

Example 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).

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.

Example 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.

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.