How to Describe Visual Information

Let’s learn how to describe different kinds of visual information.  Your written work on describing visual information must have the following:

  • Introduction
  • Basic/ General Trends
  • Details Description
  • Summary (optional)

Vocabulary which can help you in describing visual information

Exam in Mind Level B2

Introducing the graph/diagram/map/pie chart/table/bar chart

Types of visual information:

  • bar chart
  • line graph
  • pie chart
  • table
  • diagram
  • graph
  • map
  • figure
  • illustratio
  • flow chart
  • picture
  • presentation
  • column graph
  • table data
  • data
  • information

The graph/diagram/map/pie chart/table/bar chart …

  • gives information about/on
  • provides information about/on
  • shows
  • illustrates
  • compares
  • explains why
  • describes
  • draws the conclusion of (a survey)
  • represents
  • depicts
  • enumerates
  • illustrates
  • presents information about
  • outlines
  • delineates
  • expresses
  • denotes
  • shows contras
  • indicates
  • figures
  • gives data on
  • presents information about
  • shows data about
  • demonstrates
  • summarises

What?

  • the comparison of
  • the differences
  • the changes
  • the number of
  • information on
  • data on
  • the proportion of
  • the amount of
  • data about
  • comparative data
  • the trend of
  • the percentages of
  • the ratio of
  • how the

Examples:

  • The pie charts provide information on the proportion of males and females working in agricultural sector.
  • The chart illustrates the comparison of sales figures between the two quarters.
  • The infographic delineates the differences in consumer preferences for each product.
  • The animated video depicts the changes in market trends over the past decade.
  • The report enumerates the number of new customers acquired in the last fiscal year.
  • The presentation outlines information on global economic indicators.
  • The graph provides data on the proportion of renewable energy consumption in different countries.
  • The bar chart gives information on the amount of carbon emissions in various industries.
  • The table presents data about the comparative costs of different production methods.
  • The line graph shows the trend of smartphone adoption among different age groups.
  • The pie chart demonstrates the percentages of budget allocation for various departments.
  • The scatter plot illustrates the ratio of advertising expenses to sales revenue.
  • The infographic depicts how the demographic composition of the workforce has changed.
  • The report expresses comparative data on the efficiency of alternative energy sources.
  • The diagram denotes the differences in resource utilization between urban and rural areas.
  • The bar graph compares the amounts of rainfall in different regions during the monsoon season.
  • The line chart shows contrast in the proportions of online and offline sales channels.
  • The infographic indicates the changes in customer satisfaction scores over the past year.
  • The pie chart figures the distribution of expenses among different cost categories.
  • The table gives data on the number of product defects reported by customers.
  • The presentation provides information about the trend of technological advancements in the industry.

These words can be helpful in describing visual information about trends, comparisons, and variations in data:

Verbs for describing trends:

  • Rise
  • Increase
  • Grow
  • Climb
  • Surge
  • Go up
  • Jump
  • leap
  • Soar
  • rocket
  • Upward trend
  • peak

Verbs for describing decreases:

  • Fall
  • Decrease
  • Decline
  • Drop
  • Plummet
  • Shrink
  • Dip
  • Go down
  • Decline
  • dive
  • plunge
  • fluctuate
  • vary

Nouns

  • a rise (of)
  • an increase (of)
  • a growth (of)
  • a peak (of)
  • a surge (of)

Example: a rise of prices

  • a fall (in)
  • a decrease (in)
  • a decline (in)
  • a dip (in)

Example: a fall in prices

  • a fluctuation (of)
  • a variation (in)

Example: a fluctuation of prices

Adjectives for describing trends:

  • Steady
  • Gradual
  • Sharp
  • Rapid
  • Slight
  • Substantial
  • Moderate
  • Consistent
  • Dramatic
  • sudden
  • abrupt
  • steep
  • significant
  • considerable
  • marked
  • spectacular
  • gentle
  • modest
  • marginal

Examples:

There was a considerable growth
There was a gradual decline

Adverbs for emphasizing change:

  • Significantly
  • Markedly
  • Noticeably
  • Steeply
  • Substantially
  • Sharply
  • Rapidly
  • Gradually
  • suddenly
  • abruptly
  • dramatically
  • considerably
  • slightly
  • gently
  • steadily
  • modestly
  • marginally

Examples:

the prices rose sharply
the prices increased modestly

Expressions for making comparisons:

  • In comparison to
  • Compared to
  • Similarly
  • Likewise
  • In contrast
  • On the other hand
  • Conversely

Prepositions for indicating position:

  • At the top
  • At the bottom
  • At the peak
  • At the lowest point
  • Between
  • Among
  • Above
  • Below
  • In the middle

Phrases for describing quantities:

  • A significant number
  • A large proportion
  • The majority
  • A minority
  • A small fraction
  • A considerable percentage

Language for describing change over time:

  • Over the course of
  • Throughout the period
  • From … to …
  • During the …

Expressions for generalizing:

  • In general
  • Overall
  • Broadly speaking
  • In summary
  • All in all
  • In a nutshell

Useful phrases

  • a small fraction
  • a small number
  • a small minority
  • a large portion
  • a significant majority
  • nearly a fifth
  • almost 10%
  • in region of 40%
  • more than a half
  • over a quarter
  • around two thirds
  • more or less three quarters
  • exactly one in ten
  • approximately a third