Describing graph

Describing graphs & tables

How do you describe a bar graph?

Bar graphs divide the data into separate bars and lets you track progress over time. To describe the graph, follow the trend from left to right and describe if it does down, up, or stays the same.

How do you describe a line graph?

A line graph plots data in a single line over time. To describe the graph, follow its progress along the horizontal access and describe whether it goes down, up, or stays the same.

How do you describe a pie chart?

A pie chart divides data into separate sections to show which individual parts make up the whole. To describe the chart, compare each “slice” of the chart to the others to determine what share of the total each category has.

How do you describe a table?

Tables contain words, numbers or signs, or a combination of these, displayed in columns or boxes to illustrate a set of facts and the relationship between them.

-present the main points of each feature

- look for significant data; e.g. the highest, the lowest etc.

Making Reference to Charts, Graphs or Table

• It can be seen from the chart/Figure 1chart/graph/table

• As shown in the chart/graph/Table 1

• It can be observed from the..

• Figure 1 depicts..

Using transitional markers

To indicate addition (besides, moreover, furthermore, apart from that, additionally, in addition to that)

To indicate contrast (however, nevertheless, in contrats, on the contrary, on the other hand)

To indicate cause and effect (therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a consequence, as a result)

To indicate comparison (similarly, likewise, also, in the same way)

contd.

To indicate sequence (firstly, first, secondly,second, next, then, after that, finally, lastly)

To indicate conclusion (in conclusion, as a conclusion, on the whole, in the end, in brief, in short)

Structure

1. Introduction (What does the chart show) 2. Analyses ( comparison of data presented) 3. Conclusion (general trend)

Answer the following questions after studying the chart.

Practice

Open Ended

What does the chart show?

Open Ended

List all the types of fast food shown in the chart.

Open Ended

Describe what you can see in the chart.

a) Report the figures for all types of fast food consumed.

b) Describe the highest, lowest figure as well as other interesting figures that can be observed from the chart.

Open Ended

What conclusion can you draw from the chart?