15.Para.Dscrb.Chrts.Grphs
Paragraphs to Describe Graphs and Charts
Often in academic writing, students will use information and facts presented in charts and graphs to support the topic sentence of their paragraph. Often, the data presented in a graph or table show change over time. There are specific verbs, adjectives and adverbs that can help you describe these changes. For example: Verbs for describing how data have changed: • • • •
to increase to go up to rise to climb
• • •
to remain (unchanged) to be steady to plateau
• • • •
to decrease to go down to decline to drop
Adjectives and adverbs to describe how fast the change occurred: • • •
sharp dramatic significant
• • •
steady gradual slight
• • •
sharply dramatically significantly
You can describe the changes presented in the graph in two ways:
Jane’s LINC Class: Average Daily Attendance, by Month
Number of Students 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Sept Oct Months Nov Dec
From October to December, attendance decreased steadily. or From October to December, there was a steady decrease in attendance.
1
Write a paragraph to describe the bar graph above. Write three details to support the topic sentence.
Topic sentence: Average attendance in Jane’s LINC class followed a distinct pattern over time.
66
Chapter 1 | Academic Skills | Writing Paragraphs and Essays
LINC 6/7
Paragraphs to Describe Graphs and Charts (Cont.)
2
Examine the graph below. Complete the paragraph that follows with appropriate supporting details.
Canada Pension Plan Employee Contribution Rates
Percent of Earnings 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 Year
Data Source: Canada Revenue Agency
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is one of Canada’s retirement income pension plans. It provides a monthly income to people (who contributed during their working years) when they become disabled or retire. Every person over 18 who earns more than about $3,500 a year
Often in academic writing, students will use information and facts presented in charts and graphs to support the topic sentence of their paragraph. Often, the data presented in a graph or table show change over time. There are specific verbs, adjectives and adverbs that can help you describe these changes. For example: Verbs for describing how data have changed: • • • •
to increase to go up to rise to climb
• • •
to remain (unchanged) to be steady to plateau
• • • •
to decrease to go down to decline to drop
Adjectives and adverbs to describe how fast the change occurred: • • •
sharp dramatic significant
• • •
steady gradual slight
• • •
sharply dramatically significantly
You can describe the changes presented in the graph in two ways:
Jane’s LINC Class: Average Daily Attendance, by Month
Number of Students 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Sept Oct Months Nov Dec
From October to December, attendance decreased steadily. or From October to December, there was a steady decrease in attendance.
1
Write a paragraph to describe the bar graph above. Write three details to support the topic sentence.
Topic sentence: Average attendance in Jane’s LINC class followed a distinct pattern over time.
66
Chapter 1 | Academic Skills | Writing Paragraphs and Essays
LINC 6/7
Paragraphs to Describe Graphs and Charts (Cont.)
2
Examine the graph below. Complete the paragraph that follows with appropriate supporting details.
Canada Pension Plan Employee Contribution Rates
Percent of Earnings 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 Year
Data Source: Canada Revenue Agency
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is one of Canada’s retirement income pension plans. It provides a monthly income to people (who contributed during their working years) when they become disabled or retire. Every person over 18 who earns more than about $3,500 a year