Describing

Graphs, Charts
and
Diagrams
 Introducing diagrams,
Table of
01 graphs, and charts Contents

Types of diagrams
02

Describing and
03 interpreting diagrams

04
 ● Diagrams graphs, and charts are visual
representations of data. The prime objective
behind graphs and charts is to display data in a
meaningful and crisp manner with a visual
representation of values that allows the
1. Introducing intended user to easily understand and analyze
the data.
diagrams, graphs, ● Graphs and charts are two words that are often
used interchangeably, but there is a difference
and charts between them. All graphs are charts, but not all
charts are graphs.
● The mathematical diagram depicting the
relationship between different numerical data
over a range of time is called a graph. While
chart represents datasets for helping users to
understand the given information in a better
way.
2. Types of
diagrams
 2.1. Chart-like diagrams
Chart-like diagrams take a collection of items and  relationships between
them, and express them by giving each  item a 2 D position, while the
relationships are expressed as  connections between the items or overlaps
between the items.  Examples of chart-like diagrams are tree diagram,
network diagram, venn diagram, pie chart and flow chart.

Network diagram
Venn diagram
Tree diagram
 Flow charts
Pie charts
Flow charts depict a process
Pie charts are designed to visualize
. sequentially, step by step from
start to finish. They are used to
how a whole is divided into various
parts. Each segment of the pie is a
illustrate complex sequences
particular category within the total data
with multiple conditions and
set
decisions along the way.
 2.2. Graph-based diagrams
Graph-based diagrams display a relationship between  two variables that take
either discrete or a continuous ranges of  values. Examples of graph-based
diagrams are Histogram, bar graph, Line Graphs, Scattergrams, and Function
Graphs.

Example 1: Histogram

Histograms are a special type of vertical

bar graph representing numeric data
 Example 2: Bar graph
Bar graphs are the most simple and
straightforward method for comparing
various categories. They can be
horizontal or vertical where one axis
features the categories that are being
compared while the other holds the
values.
Example 3: Line graph
Line graphs are powerful visual tools for
illustrating data trends or a certain
correlation over a time period. The values
are plotted on the chart and points are
connected to display the trends over a time
span. There are three types of line graphs-
simple, multiple, and compound
 Example 4: Scattergrams
Scattergrams are used to show the
relationship between several variables.
The data set variables are represented
by mathematical coordinates displayed
at points. Each point represents the
value of variables on both axes.
Example 5: Function graph
Sometimes engineers, mathematicians, and
statisticians graph the result of an equation to
determine its value. The function graph is the set
of all the coordinates that fulfill the equation. The
equation function for X and Y variables is drawn
on an X and Y axis graph and a 3D graph with a
third axis is added if a third variable is involved.
3. Describing and
interpreting
diagrams
 3.1. Strategy for describing a
diagram
Let’s begin with the general outline.
First, pay attention to the title of the diagram – this will tell you what the
diagram shows.
Next, examine the diagram. Pay close attention to:
The main points in diagram such as peaks, lows, turning points, and
intersection points
Identify major trends
Compare and analyze trends
Any further explanations
Lastly, prepare to write your report
Practice: Use the chart to answer the questions.
1. The title of this graph is: 

2. The horizontal axis shows: 

3. The vertical axis shows: 

4. Which color of car sold the most? 

5. How many blue cars were sold? 

6. Which two colors of cars sold the same amount? 

7. There were six cars of this color sold. 

8. How many red cars were sold? 

9. What is the total number of black and white cars

sold? 

10. How many total cars (all colors) were sold in this
week? 
 3.2. Organize a structure for your
Introduction
description
In the introduction of your Diagram Description write about the purpose of
the diagram. E.g “The graph shows / indicates / depicts / illustrates”

The main body of text

Use the main body of text to outline a step-by-step explanation of the
diagram. Start paragraph 1 (trend 1) with a topic sentence. E.g. “ “Oil
production has increased slightly in all the countries in the graph”.
 Follow this sentence with an example (sentence with number) and perhaps
another example (another sentence with number). Keep alternating. Include
one paragraph for each main trend.
Summary
In the summary sum up the principal idea of the diagram. Usually, one short
paragraph is enough.  

The following is an excellent example of writing about bar graphs prepared

by the British Council as an answer to an IELTS exam.
Practice: Look at the following pie chart, which shows how internet users aged 16+ prefer to browse
the web. Describe the chart.

………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
………………
 3.3. Language for graphs
Look at the graph below. Following the graph, there are 7 statements about the data. Highlight all
verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs that describe data.

The percentage of children taking

dietary supplements was relatively stable
during the first two months of the year.
It then fell gradually in March.
It fluctuated for the following two
months.
Between June and August, the
percentage of children taking dietary
supplements shot up dramatically.
Supplement use peaked at close to 25%
in April.
This was followed by a sharp drop of
14% over the next two months.
Supplement use continued to fall
steadily over the next two months until it
reached its lowest point in December
To describe graphs, you should use
appropriate verbs adjectives, and adverbs
Going up
Vocabulary for describing graphs
Going down No change Going Up and Down

depending on the kind of action you need

Verbs: rise, increase,
grow, go up to, climb,
Verbs: fall, decline,
decrease, drop, dip,
Verbs: remain stable,
remain steady, stay
Verbs: fluctuate, zig-
zagged, flutter

to show. For this, you should use the

boom, peak, surge,
shoot up , rocket, level
up
go down, reduce,
crash, collapse,
slump, plummet
constant, maintain the
same level, to plateau

following vocabulary.
Nouns: a rise, an
increase, growth, an
Nouns: a fall, a
decrease, a decline, a
Nouns: fluctuation, zig-
zag
upward /rising/ downward/falling/decr
increasing trend, an easing trend, a slump
improvement, a jump,
a surge
Adjectives to sharp, rapid, huge, dramatic, substantial, considerable, significant, slight,
describe change small, minimal, massive.
Adverbs to describe dramatically, rapidly sharply, steeply, considerably, substantially, significantly,
change : slightly, minimally, markedly. rapidly, quickly, swiftly, suddenly, steadily,
gradually, slowly.
Exercise: Fill in the
gaps:
a low point -
declined – went up -
drop
From - increased
slightly - recovered
Remained - rising
sharply - sudden- to -
were