4. Comprehension of Visual presentations

Here we will consider tables, mindmaps, and four different kinds of diagram: pie charts, bar charts, Gantt charts, flowcharts and graphs.

a. Tables

A collection of figures can often best be communicated by means of tables.

b. Pie charts

Statistics that are reported in percentages are often presented in what is called a pie chart, in which the complete “pie” represents 100 percent. The distinctions can be heightened by shading or colouring the different segments of the pie.

c. Bar charts

Horizontal bars

Another way of expressing data visually is by means of bar charts. To show data in the form of bar charts, the bar charts are drawn to scale and measured from the base line which may be horizontal or perpendicular.

The perpendicular bar chart

The perpendicular bar chart is also a “composite” bar chart because it includes a breakdown of the individual products in each bar.

d. Gantt charts

A variation of the bar chart is the Gantt chart, used in connection with the

process of control in a business. It gives an instant visual comparison between expected and actual performance.

e. Graphs

The most common form of visual presentation is the graph. Graphs are two-dimensional. The x-axis records one dimension, usually the time dimension. The y- axis records another range of data which changes in relation to the time (or other) series.

The benefit of all these diagrammatic representations is that they present the data in an easily assimilable form. Those who are involved in the business need to be able to interpret data presented to them in whatever form.

f) A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind map is often created around a single word or text, placed in the center, to which associated ideas, words and concepts are added. Major categories radiate from a central node, and lesser categories are sub-branches of larger branches.[1] Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items related to a central key word or idea.

Mind maps can be drawn by hand, either as "rough notes" during a lecture or meeting, for example, or as higher quality pictures when more time is available. An example of a rough mind map is illustrated.

Mind maps are considered to be a type of spider diagram. A similar concept in the 1970s was "idea sun bursting".

g) A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. This diagrammatic [[Knowledge representation and reasoning|representationsolution to a given problem. Process operations are represented in these boxes, and arroram]]s; rather, they are implied by the sequencing of operations. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

Flow chart for “ scientific method”

Exercise 2. a) What are these visuals called in English? Match the numbers to the descriptions. b) Which of these visuals would you use in you research work?

Exercise 3. These verbs are used to describe movement or trends. Put them in the correct category.

climb, decline, decrease, double, drop, expand, fall, fluctuate, go down, go up, grow, hit a low, increase, pick up, plunge, reach a high, recover, remain stable, rise, stabilize, stay the same

Upward	Downward	Other

		Exercise 4. Match the two parts to make sentences used to talk about visuals.
1	Let’s now have a look		a - shows our revenues since 2012.
2	The black line gives us		j - the next pie chart.
3	Each line on the graph indicates		b - at how the new division will be structured.
4	In the upper right-hand corner		c - attention to the figures in the left-hand column.
5	The graph on the following slide		d - you can see the specifications for the TP model.
6	Now I’d like you to take		e - the sales figures for the VW Fox.
7	The names of the new models are listed		f - table on the right.
8	You can see the test results in		g - a look at the next slide.
9	This aspect of the problem is illustrated in		h - the production output of a different product.
10	I’d like to draw you		i - across the top.

Exercise 5. a) These expressions highlight important information in a visual. Complete them using the following words.

on to at out about

	us to look	1…this part of the graph in more detail.
	us to focus our attention	2… one particularly important feature.
I’d like	you to think	3…the significance of this figure here.
	to point	4… one or two interesting details.
	to draw your attention	5… the upper half of the chart.

b) These expressions comment on important information in a visual. Complete them using the following words:

If As Whatever Whichever However

1 … you can see, there are several surprising developments

2 … you look at it more closely, you'll notice a couple of apparent anomalies.

3 … you try to explain it, this is very bad news.

4 … the reasons for this, the underlying trend is obvious.

5 … way you look at it, these are some of our best results ever.

Exercise 6. Put the words in the right order to make sentences with expressions from this unit.

1. chart percentage our of pie share the the market shows

2. travel 2006 according costs since risen the have sharply to study

3. rates 0.5% beginning year the the interest were of raised by at

4. June rise in dramatic 15% in was there costs transport a of

5. low December our in hit a productivity

6. decline by poor situation the economic the was caused

Exercise 7. The graphs below give information about commuting inside and outside London in 2009. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Now compare your report with the sample answer

Commuting inside and outside London in 2009

The graphs show the time it takes employees to commute to their workplaces , and the mode of transport they use . Figures are given for both inside and outside London .

For the majority of the UK , the number of commuters decreases as commuting time increases . Almost half of the commuters take less than 15 minutes to get to their place of work , while only around 3 percent spend over an hour commuting . Indeed , three quarters of commuters outside London reach work within half an hour . In London , the trend is very different . The figures show that it takes much longer to get to work . Less than half of the commuters have reached work within half an hour , with the percentage reaching work in less than fifteen minutes significantly lower than the percentage reaching work in thirty minutes . Moreover , forty percent of people spend up to an hour commuting , with an equal proportion in the 30-45 minute bracket and the 45-60 minute bracket , and a further sixteen percent commute for over an hour – over five times the proportion outside London .

Regarding the mode of transport , the car is dominant both inside and outside London , significantly so outside London , where other modes of transport account for less than a quarter of journeys . Of the other modes of transport , walking and taking the bus are more common than cycling , taking the train and using the underground . Inside London , the car accounts for about one third of commuting journeys . However , public transport is used for about half of the journeys , the train and underground being more popular than the bus.

Exercise 8. WRITING TASK

The graph below gives information about changes in the birth and death rates in New Zealand between 1901 and 2101. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Write at least 150 words. Compare the two sample answers

Exercise 9. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

The table below shows CO2 emissions for different forms of transport in the European Union. The Pie Chart shows the percentage of European Union funds being spent on different forms of transport.

	Exercise 10. It’s your turn now. Describe a graph or of your own. Try to use words and phrases from the text above to present the visual.

		Exercise 11. Check yourself using the information from the table below.
Put a tick	CHECKLIST FOR USING VISUALS (GRAPHS & CHARTS)
	l. Make your visual as clear and easy to understand as possible.
	2. Start by telling your audience what the graph/chart illustrates.
	3. Highlight the key points.
	4. Say why these points are important (and explain the cause or effect).
	5. Use different verbs to express movement/development