Page 55 - Modul Academic Writing

Generic Structure

Describing a chart/diagram/graph/table can be challenging. Here is the easier
structure to describe them.

Introductory sentence  The pie chart is about ...
 The bar chart deals with ...
 The line graph (clearly) shows ...
 The slices of the pie chart compare the ...
 The chart is divided into ... parts.
 It highlights ...

Message of the diagram  ... has the largest (number of) ...
 ... has the second largest (number of) ...
 ... is as big as ...
 ... is twice as big as ...
 ... is bigger than ...
 more than ... per cent ...
 only one third ...
 less than half ...
 The number ... increases/goes up/grows by ...
 The number ... decreases/goes down/sinks by ...
 The number ... does not change/remains stable

Concluding sentence  Therefore, we can say ...
 In sum, it is clear that …
Taken from https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/charts.htm

… Tip …
 Consider this when you describe your charts/diagrams/graphs/tables:
 Use Present tense if they relate to facts in the present day.
 Use Past tense if they relate to facts in the past day.
 Use Present perfect if they connect the past and the present.
 Use comparative forms if you are required to compare the data.

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