Band 9 Overview Writing Formula (for
Dynamic Graphs)
Step-by-step Method:
1. Spot the General/Overall Trends
○ Look for overall increases, decreases, fluctuations, or stability.
○ Focus on both lines/variables.
2. Mention Extremes and Turning Points
○ Identify the highest and lowest points.
○ Note any sharp rises or falls.
3. Avoid Data in the Overview
○ No specific numbers or years—save those for body paragraphs.
Useful Vocabulary & Phrases
● General trend: Overall, it is evident that… / In general, both variables showed…
● Fluctuation: There were noticeable fluctuations in…
● Stability: …remained relatively stable…
● Sharp changes: …experienced a dramatic increase/drop…
● Comparison: While X followed a downward trend, Y remained steady.
Final Template You Can Reuse (For Any
Line Graph)
Template:
Overall, [subject(s) of graph] exhibited [general trend(s)] over the given period. [First variable]
showed [pattern: steady growth/decline/fluctuations], while [second variable] experienced
[pattern]. Notably, [mention convergence/divergence/major change], with both reaching [general
outcome] by the end of the time span.
1. Opening / Framing the Overview
● “Overall, it is clear that…”
● “In general, the graph demonstrates that…”
● “Broadly speaking, the period under review saw…”
● “A striking feature of the chart is that…”
2. Describing General Trends
Trend type Words & Phrases
Upward rose steadily, exhibited an upward trend, climbed gradually, soared
Downward declined consistently, fell sharply, dipped gradually, experienced a drop
Fluctuating fluctuated markedly, showed volatility, oscillated, underwent ups and downs
Stable remained relatively stable, plateaued, showed little change, held steady
Structures
● “X rose steadily throughout most of the period, whereas Y declined sharply before stabilizing.”
● “Both series fluctuated between X and Y, but ultimately converged at the end of the period.”
3. Linking & Contrast
● “While… , …”
● “In contrast to…”
● “Conversely, …”
● “Whereas X experienced…, Y tended to…”
● “Despite the initial… , by the end…”
Example
“While shop closures peaked early on, openings remained comparatively low until 2014.”
4. Sequencing / Time Markers
● “At the beginning of the period,”
● “By mid-period,”
● “From 2013 onwards,”
● “Toward the end of the timeframe,”
● “After 2015,”
Structure
“From 2011 to 2013, X increased, but subsequently it declined sharply.”
5. Extremes & Turning Points
● Highs: reached a peak/crest/high point, peaked at
● Lows: hit a low/reached a trough, bottomed out at
● Sharp Changes: saw a dramatic spike, experienced a steep plunge
Example
“In 2015, shop closures bottomed out, while openings rebounded dramatically.”
6. Convergence & Divergence
● “The two lines converged by the end of the period.”
● “A widening gap emerged between X and Y.”
● “The trajectories crossed in 2014.”
7. Outcome / Summary Phrase
● “Overall, both variables ended at roughly the same level.”
● “By 2018, the gap between the two had narrowed considerably.”
● “Ultimately, they balanced out after years of divergence.”
🧩 Putting It All Together
“Overall, the number of shop closures and openings fluctuated markedly between 2011 and 2018.
While closures peaked early on before bottoming out in 2015, openings declined gradually over the
period. Despite contrasting mid-term shifts, the two series converged toward the end of the
timeframe.”
Example Band 9 Overview for the Provided Graph
Overview Paragraph:
Overall, the number of shop closures and openings showed contrasting trends over the period. While
the number of closures fluctuated significantly with a sharp dip in the middle years, the number of
openings generally declined. Both figures followed a downward trend towards the end of the period,
with shop closures initially higher but eventually converging with, and at times falling below, the
number of openings.
This overview:
● Avoids details or exact numbers.
● Captures the general direction and key patterns.
● Highlights contrasts between the two data series.
