Lesson 4 of 22
Writing a precise introduction
The introduction identifies the visual. It should help the reader understand the subject and scope immediately.
Original practice prompt: “The table shows the percentage of residents using three forms of transport in three towns in 2024.”
Possible introduction: “The table compares the proportions of residents who used three transport modes in three towns in 2024.”
The revised sentence retains the population, measure, categories, place, and time. It changes the expression without changing the information.
Paraphrase in meaningful phrases
| Prompt expression | Possible alternative | Check |
|---|---|---|
| shows the percentage of | compares the proportions of | The data must actually be proportions |
| the number of visitors | visitor numbers | Do not replace numbers with percentages |
| from 2010 to 2020 | between 2010 and 2020 | Keep the dates |
| how paper is recycled | the stages involved in recycling paper | Keep the process meaning |
| before and after redevelopment | the layout before redevelopment and the proposed changes | Use “proposed” only for a future plan |
Keep necessary technical terms and proper names. Changing every word can produce inaccurate or unnatural English. “Unemployment” is not the same as “poverty,” and “expenditure” is not the same as “income.”
One sentence often works for a single visual. Two short sentences may work better for a chart and a table measuring different things. You do not need a general opening about the importance of the topic.
Weak: “Transport is very important in the modern world, and this interesting table gives us some information.”
Better: “The table compares transport use among residents of three towns in 2024.”
Introduction check
Compare your sentence with the prompt. Have you changed any category, year, location, or unit? Have you introduced an assumption? Does a reader know what information follows?