Description of Visual

Information

Oxford EAP, pp. 28-29

Types of diagrams
ANSWERS:
Which type of diagram would you
use to show the following
information?
 Bar charts: basic chart
terminology
What terms describe the components of a chart?
 Describing a bar chart
Describe what the chart shows in your own words:
Features of a description
Read the description of the chart and compare it with
your own description:

What similarities and differences can be observed between

the two?
Read the description again. Which sentence(s) 1-4 are:
ANSWERS:
 Organization: parts of a chart
description

1. Refer to the chart: say what information it shows

2. Describe the content:

• Identify and state the main trend

• Describe details and explain specific data that
support the main trend

3. Conclude the description: restate the main idea (but

with different language)
or
evaluate the overall trend / make a prediction
Language of chart description:

Complete the description using the words / phrases

below:
 ANSWERS:

What other words / phrases can be used to:

•refer to diagrams
•describe the content
 Verbs used to refer to diagrams:

• shows
• illustrates
• suggests
• indicates
• represents
• states
• demonstrates
• reflects
• gives a breakdown of
Verbs used to to describe the
content:
 More useful language
Upward movement (verbs)

• climb
• rise
• increase
• surge
• rocket
• soar
• rally
• peak
• increase twofold / threefold, etc.
• double/triple/ treble/quadruple, etc.
Downward movement (verbs)

• decrease
• decline
• drop
• fall
• slide
• crash
• collapse
• plummet
• plunge
• weaken
 Adjectives and adverbs to specify the degree or
intensity of change:

• slow(ly)
• steady(-ily)
• slight(ly)
• significant(ly)
• sharp(ly)
• gradual(ly)
• disastrous(ly)
• drastic(ally)
• dramatic(ally)
• rapid(ly)
• perilous(ly)
• massive(ly)
Language to replace
percentages
 ANSWERS:
1)
1-b
2-c
3-e
4-a
5-d
6-h
7- f
8–g

2)
1- C
2-a
Practice: describe the chart
Sample: read and compare
 Feedback
Conclusions
Questions?