Describing Graphs and Charts

Introducing a Visual Aid

Video 1 http://www.brianenglish.net/SGSspeaking1/bargraphintro.AVI Transcript:

Now let’s look at the bar graph on my right. This bar graph shows the percentages by countries of single mothers that had jobs in the early 1990s. As you can see, Japan had the highest percent of working single mothers. Eighty-seven percent of Japanese single mothers had jobs in the 1990s.

From: http://www.japanfocus.org/-Fujiwara-Chisa/2623

Order of Information for Graphs 1. Subject of graph 2. Horizontal axis 3. Vertical axis 4. Trend or pattern 5. Implications and predictions Trends in divorces and divorce rates, 1955-2006

From: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/database/db-hw/report/6.html

Write a description for this graph:

______Useful expressions:  This graph shows______.

 The subject of this graph is ______.

 The horizontal axis represents ______.

 The vertical axis represents______.

 The line on the graph represents the relationship between ______and ______.

 This graph reveals a(n) increasing/decreasing/steady trend in______. ( or: chart, table)

 One of the patterns that becomes clear in this graph is______.

These expressions are used to predict what might happen in the future:

 If this trend continues, then______.

 By studying this graph we can predict______.

 One implication of this graph is ______. Another is ______.

 In summary, this graph ______.

Expressions to describe trends:

 dramatically increased/decreased

 remained steady

 increased/decreased slightly

 continued to accelerate/drop

 double/triple by 2020

 is less than half of what it was in 19?? Homework assignment:  Find a graph or chart that represents some aspect of your topic and write a description of it.

 Complete Speech #2 Worksheet. (Your group will need this for the first meeting with the instructor.)