Graphs and charts When you use graphs and charts in your visuals, you should use clear language to discuss them. In this

4.2.2 Graphs and charts When you use graphs and charts in your visuals, you should use clear language to discuss them. In this

section you will study the language used to describe charts, graphs.

bar chart

graph

pie chart

A chart is a diagram that makes information easier to understand by showing how two or more sets of data are related. There are two common types of charts, a pie chart and a bar chart and there are graphs.

A Bar chart is a diagram that makes information easier to understand by showing how two or more sets of data are related.

A Pie chart is a circle divided into segments. It is usually used to show percentages.

A Graph is a diagram, usually a line or curve, which shows how two or more sets of numbers or measurements are related.

When describing movements on a graph, we can use verbs to talk about upward, downward or horizontal movements. Decide which picture should go into the box under each list of verbs.

decline climb

soar

crash

flatten out bounce back fluctuate

decrease rise

rocket

collapse

hold steady rally

drop increase

climb

plummet

level off

recover

fall

rise

plunge

stabilise

slide

increase

Most verbs also have noun forms. They are generally the same, for example: to climb - a climb

to fall - a fall However, there are some exceptions: To flatten out

a fluctuation To stabilise

a flattening out

to fluctuate

a recovery to level off

a stabilisation

to recover

a stabilisation

to hold steady

a steady hold

NOTE: The verb forms are used more frequently.

Sometimes we need to give more information about a trend, usually about the degree or speed of change. For example:

o The year started with a steady decline in sales and stabilised in September. o Sales increased slowly during January and then declined steadily until the end of the financial year.

Adverbs and adjectives can be used to modify verbs and nouns of change. Adverbs can modify the verbs of change and usually end in 'ly' (to increase substantially), and adjectives can modify nouns of change (a substantial increase). Adjectives always come before a noun and adverbs usually come after a verb.

Some words to describe the DEGREE of change: dramatic(ally)

slight(ly) sharp(ly)

substantial(ly)

considerable/considerably significant(ly)

Strong change

Intermediate change

small change

There are also words to describe the SPEED at which change takes place: rapid(ly)

slow(ly) swift(ly)

gradual(ly)

steady/steadily

quick(ly)

Fast change

Moderate change

slow change

For further information about the language used in the description of graphs, go to http://www.slideshare.net/meerisild/describing-graphs

Activity

27 Track 27.aiff

Listen and complete the Chairman’s statement.

I am delighted to present my third report to shareholders as Chairman of Castel International following another year of strong performance.

Our company has consistently delivered superior total shareholder ……………….. since its creation in 1989. The results of the company were very strong and at the top end of the industry peer group. Net …………… rose by 9 per cent while net ………………… rose by 22 per cent to 658m (Euro). In May, the company announced its intention to return …………….. cash to shareholders through a progressive ……………… policy and a rolling share ……………….. programme. Both of these have been initiated. The …………………. dividend was increased by 8 per cent, and the directors propose that the ……………….. dividend be increased by 7 per cent giving a total for the year of 40 cents a share, an overall

increase of 12 per cent. This dividend, if ………………… at the Annual General Meeting, will be paid on 30 March next year to shareholders on the register on 15 January. At the same time, the company has begun its rolling share buyback programme, and had already ……………. two million shares by the year end. It is company’s intention to proceed with this programme through next year.

34 Mark Wylie's Presentation, Part 1.aiff