Process diagrams show how something is made or how something works. Unlike charts and graphs, process diagrams do not contain numbers or statistics. Instead, you must describe what happens at each stage and how the stages connect. This guide will teach you exactly how to describe a process diagram effectively.
The Process Diagram
Study this diagram carefully. It shows the process of making chocolate, from harvesting cocoa beans to the final packaged product.
The Chocolate Production Process
Step 1: Analyse the Process
Before writing, spend 2-3 minutes understanding the process:
What is being made/shown?
The production of chocolate from cocoa beans to packaged bars.
How many stages are there?
7 stages, from harvesting to moulding and packaging.
Where does it start and end?
Starts with cocoa pods on trees, ends with packaged chocolate bars ready for sale.
Can you group the stages?
- Stages 1-4: Harvesting and preparing the beans
- Stages 5-7: Processing into chocolate
Step 2: Know the Structure
A process description should have 4 paragraphs:
| Paragraph | Purpose | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction | Paraphrase what the diagram shows | What is being made/done |
| 2. Overview | Summarise the whole process | Number of stages, start to end |
| 3. Body 1 | Describe first half of stages | Stages 1-4 |
| 4. Body 2 | Describe second half of stages | Stages 5-7 |
Step 3: Master the Grammar
Process descriptions require special grammar. The two most important features are:
1. Passive Voice (Essential!)
In process descriptions, we don't know WHO does the action, so we use the passive voice:
| Active (Wrong) | Passive (Correct) |
|---|---|
| Workers pick the cocoa pods. | The cocoa pods are picked. |
| They roast the beans. | The beans are roasted. |
| Machines grind the nibs. | The nibs are ground. |
| Someone packages the chocolate. | The chocolate is packaged. |
Passive Voice Formula:
Subject + is/are + past participle
The beans are + dried in the sun.
2. Sequencing Language (Essential!)
Use these words to connect stages and show the order:
| Position | Sequencing Words |
|---|---|
| Beginning | First, Firstly, Initially, At the first stage, The process begins when, To begin |
| Middle | Then, Next, After that, Subsequently, Following this, At the next stage |
| Simultaneous | At the same time, Meanwhile, During this stage, While this happens |
| End | Finally, Lastly, In the final stage, At the end of the process, Eventually |
More Useful Phrases for Processes
Before/After
- Before being roasted...
- After the beans are dried...
- Once the mixture is ready...
- Prior to packaging...
Result/Purpose
- This results in...
- This produces...
- In order to...
- The purpose of this is to...
Verbs for Process Descriptions
| Action Type | Verbs (use past participle in passive) |
|---|---|
| Collecting | harvested, collected, gathered, picked, extracted, removed |
| Changing | processed, transformed, converted, turned into, changed into |
| Heating | heated, roasted, dried, baked, burned, warmed |
| Cooling | cooled, chilled, frozen, refrigerated |
| Combining | mixed, combined, blended, added, merged |
| Separating | separated, divided, split, filtered, sorted |
| Shaping | moulded, shaped, formed, cut, pressed |
| Finishing | packaged, wrapped, labelled, stored, transported, delivered |
Step 4: Write Your Answer
Now let's build the answer paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paraphrase what the diagram shows:
"The diagram illustrates the process by which chocolate is produced, from the initial harvesting of cocoa beans to the final packaging of chocolate bars."
Paragraph 2: Overview
Summarise the whole process. Mention: number of stages, start point, end point.
"Overall, there are seven stages in the chocolate-making process. It begins with cocoa pods being harvested from trees and ends with the chocolate being moulded into bars and packaged for sale. The process can be broadly divided into two phases: preparing the raw beans (stages 1-4) and processing them into chocolate (stages 5-7)."
Paragraph 3: Body 1 - Stages 1-4
Describe the first four stages using passive voice and sequencing words:
"At the first stage, ripe cocoa pods are harvested from the trees. The beans inside are then extracted and placed in containers where they undergo fermentation for 5 to 7 days. Following this, the beans are spread out and sun-dried for one to two weeks. Once dried, the beans are roasted at temperatures between 120 and 150 degrees Celsius to develop the chocolate flavour."
Paragraph 4: Body 2 - Stages 5-7
Describe the final three stages:
"In the fifth stage, the roasted beans are ground into a thick paste known as cocoa liquor. This liquor is then mixed with sugar and milk, and the mixture is heated and stirred to combine the ingredients thoroughly. Finally, the chocolate is poured into moulds where it is shaped into bars and left to harden before being packaged for sale."
Step 5: See the Complete Answer
Complete Model Answer
The diagram illustrates the process by which chocolate is produced, from the initial harvesting of cocoa beans to the final packaging of chocolate bars.
Overall, there are seven stages in the chocolate-making process. It begins with cocoa pods being harvested from trees and ends with the chocolate being moulded into bars and packaged for sale. The process can be broadly divided into two phases: preparing the raw beans (stages 1-4) and processing them into chocolate (stages 5-7).
At the first stage, ripe cocoa pods are harvested from the trees. The beans inside are then extracted and placed in containers where they undergo fermentation for 5 to 7 days. Following this, the beans are spread out and sun-dried for one to two weeks. Once dried, the beans are roasted at temperatures between 120 and 150 degrees Celsius to develop the chocolate flavour.
In the fifth stage, the roasted beans are ground into a thick paste known as cocoa liquor. This liquor is then mixed with sugar and milk, and the mixture is heated and stirred to combine the ingredients thoroughly. Finally, the chocolate is poured into moulds where it is shaped into bars and left to harden before being packaged for sale.
Word count: 178 words (aim for 150-190 in the exam)
Quick Reference: Sequencing Phrases
Starting
- First,
- Initially,
- To begin,
- At the first stage,
- The process begins when
Continuing
- Then,
- Next,
- After that,
- Subsequently,
- Following this,
- Once this is done,
Finishing
- Finally,
- Lastly,
- Eventually,
- In the final stage,
- At the end,
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do NOT use active voice
Wrong: "Workers pick the beans." Correct: "The beans are picked."
Do NOT use "I" or "you"
Wrong: "First, you harvest the pods." Correct: "First, the pods are harvested."
Do NOT start every sentence the same way
Vary your sequencing words: "Then... Next... Following this... Once... After..."
Do NOT give opinions or reasons
Never write "I think this is efficient" or "This happens because...". Just describe.
Do NOT forget the overview
State how many stages, where it starts, and where it ends.
Final Checklist
Before you finish, check:
- Did you paraphrase what the diagram shows?
- Did you write an overview (number of stages, start, end)?
- Did you describe ALL stages in order?
- Did you use passive voice throughout?
- Did you vary your sequencing language?
- Is it at least 150 words?
- Did you avoid opinions and reasons?
Continue Learning
Reinforce what you've learned with videos and practice tests.