A look at how to make sure your supporting sentences actually support your trend.

1. Analyzing
a Graphic
Analyzing
a Graphic

2. This chart shows the average
monthly expenditure on five
different categories of expenses.

3. Looking at the chart, we can see
two main trends.

4. 1. Rent was the highest expense
throughout the reporting period.

5. 2. Overall, expenditure increased
significantly during the period.

6. Let’s look at each of them…

7. Rent was the
highest expense
11

8. First, we need a topic sentence.

9. As shown, rent was the highest
expense throughout the period.

10. Next, we need to provide
sentences that support this topic.

11. We should start by giving specific
information about how much was
spent on rent.

12. The amount spent on rent in 1990 was
around £450 a month. This rose to around
£525 a month in 2000 and £600 a month in
2010.

13. Then, we need to compare rent with
other expenses.

14. Let’s start with the second highest
expense, groceries.

15. By comparison, the amount spent on
groceries was much lower, with people
only spending £300 in 1990 and around
£350 in 2010.

16. Now, let’s talk about the other
categories.

17. Similarly, the amount spent on utility bills
and transport only reached £150 and £250,
respectively by 2010 spending on
entertainment was around £100 throughout.

18. Finally, we conclude by restating the
main point.

19. In conclusion, while most household
expenses increased between 1990 and 2010,
the amount spent on rent far exceeded the
amount spent on anything else.

20. Now, let’s look at the other
theme…

21. 22
Overall
expenditure
increased

22. Again, we need to start with a
topic sentence.

23. Overall, household expenses
increased considerably between
1990 and 2010.

24. Then, we need supporting
sentences.

25. Let’s start with the highest expense,
rent.

26. The amount spent on rent, for example,
increased from £450 in 1990 to £600 in 2010.

27. Now, we can talk about the other
expenses that went up.

28. Likewise, the amount spent on groceries
increased from £325 in 1990 to around £350 in
2010. Spending on transport and utility bills also
increased during the period, reaching £250 and
£150 respectively.

29. Let’s also talk about entertainment.

30. In fact, the only expenditure that went down
over the 10 years was entertainment which
dropped from £125 to £100.

31. Then we just need to add a conclusion.

32. In conclusion, the amount of
money spent on key expenses
rose significantly during the
period discussed.

33. Remember, we don’t have to
mention everything.

34. Just the things that best support
the main idea.

35. ThanksThanks