GRAPH ANALYSIS
WHAT IS GRAPH ANALYSIS?
Reading and understanding a diagram showing the relation
between variable quantities, typically of two variables, each
measured along one of a pair of axes at right angles or as
columns or parts of a circle. Graph Analysis is a part of
Technical Writing.
GENERALLY, GRAPH REPRESENTATIONS FOUND AS-
Pie-Charts
Line Graph
Bar Graph
WHAT IS PIE-CHART
A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic, which is
divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion. In
a pie chart, the arc length of each slice, is proportional
to the quantity it represents.
THE LINE GRAPH
A series of points, discrete or continuous, as in forming
a curve or surface, each of which represents a value of
a given function. Also called linear graph, a network of
lines connecting points.
BAR GRAPH
A bar chart or bar graph is a chart or graph that presents
categorical data rectangular bars with heights or lengths
proportional to the values that they represent. The bars can
be plotted vertically or horizontally. A vertical bar chart is
sometimes called a column chart.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD GRAPH ANALYSIS
• TASK ACHIEVEMENT – 25%
• COHESION AND COHERENCE – 25%
• VOCABULARY -25%
• GRAMMAR – 25%
PARTS OF AN ACADEMIC WRITTEN ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
BODY PARAGRAPH A
BODY PARAGRAPH B
INTRODUCTION
Necessarily paraphrases the question where
introduction of the chart’s components is
discussed, shown on the vertical axis and
horizontal axis.
OVERVIEW
Study the Chart and choose key features
Collect highs, lows, main differences and present them in
this para.
This is an Essential part of Task Achievement Criterion
BODY PARAGRAPH A & B
Decide how you need to divide information in the chart
Identify and organize key features
Compose paragraphs in logical order
Paras must have numbers, statistics to support ideas presented.
FEATURES OF BODY PARAGRAPHS
Use Complex sentences, Linking devices.
Use Cohesive sentences and good vocabulary
Understand requirements
Never over-do than what is primarily required
Comprehensive conclusion
QUALITIES STUDENTS NEED TO GRASP
COMPLETELY
• How to write an introduction
• How to identify key features
• How to write an overview
• How to organize the body paragraphs
• How to write complex sentences
• Deployment of appropriate Linking Devices, Vocabulary
• How best to conclude for a high score
WHAT TO DO/ WHAT NOT TO DO
Identify the basic components of graph
Be precise, comprehensive and cohesive
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style
WHAT NOT TO DO
Avoid jargons and abbreviations
Be too flippant or casual
Provoke the examiner by complicating numbers, statistics.
Provide too much of insight, read and interpret graph directly
A TYPICAL LINE GRAPH
A TYPICAL BAR GRAPH
A TYPICAL PIE CHART
SOLVED SAMPLE
BAR CHART - COMPONENTS OF GDP IN THE UK FROM 1992 TO 2000
Model Answer
The bar chart illustrates the gross domestic product generated from the IT and Service Industry in the UK from
1992 to 2000. It is measured in percentages. Overall, it can be seen that both increased as a percentage of GDP,
but IT remained at a higher rate throughout this time.
At the beginning of the period, in 1992, the Service Industry accounted for 4 per cent of GDP, whereas IT
exceeded this, at just over 6 per cent. Over the next four years, the levels became more similar, with both
components standing between 6 and just over 8 per cent. IT was still higher overall, though it dropped slightly
from 1994 to 1996.
However, over the following four years, the patterns of the two components were noticeably different. The
percentage of GDP from IT increased quite sharply to 12 in 1998 and then nearly 15 in 2000, while the Service
Industry stayed nearly the same, increasing to only 8 per cent.
At the end of the period, the percentage of GDP from IT was almost twice that of the Service Industry.
Comments
This answer meets the requirements of the task.
The sentence structures and the language of change is correctly used. The correct tense -
the past - is used introduction explains what the graph is about and gives an overview of
the main points.
The body paragraphs are ordered logically and clearly. The first body paragraph discusses
the first three years, where the patterns are fairly similar. This is contrasted in the second
body paragraph, where the GDP of each country diverges noticeably.
There are a wide variety of sentence structures and language of change is correctly used.
THANK YOU
