Many English language students are preparing to sit official language exams such as IELTS, Pearson, Aptis and Cambridge. For these exams, a spoken or written summary of the information given in a graph, chart or diagram is often required, usually as part of the writing-skills section. Because graphs are somewhat technical, these tests can throw students into panic; they are there to have their language skills tested aren’t they?
However, many of these tests are taken for gaining access to professions or institutions that assume that a student already has a certain level of intellect, and the examiners wish to see that an examinee’s English is sufficiently sophisticated to operate at or close to the same level in the English language.
Summarising information from academic graphs, charts or diagrams is an essential skill for academic and scientific writing, but regardless of what your area of study or profession is, you will need to be able to understand, assess and describe these if you are sitting an academic language exam.
Understand the visual
Before you start summarising, whether you are writing or speaking, take a moment to thoroughly examine the graph or chart to understand its purpose, data sources, labels and key trends. Do not begin speaking or writing until it is clear to you what the visual represents. Note the title, axes’ labels, units of measurement, any anomalies, and any other significant details.
Your introduction
Determine the primary message or key findings conveyed by the visual. What does the data suggest or prove? This will be the central point of your summary.
Provide context by briefly explaining the background or significance of the data. Why was this research conducted, where or by whom, and what question does it seek to answer? Provide a brief introduction to set the stage for your summary from any information that has been given.
Identify the type of image. It is essential to state whether the visual is a line graph, bar chart (also called bar graph or column graph), pie chart, flow chart, diagram, map, table or image.
- A flow chart usually illustrates a process.
- A line graph typically illustrates trends.
- A bar chart is often used to make comparisons between categories of items.
- A pie chart shows a whole and is comprised of parts/segments indicating percentages of that whole.
- A table is often used to categorise data.
Describe the data
Now, summarise the visual according to the question or task you have been set. Present the key data points, trends or patterns in the visual. Use precise language and numbers to convey information accurately. Mention any notable outliers or exceptions. Ensure you say what is being measured and in what units it is being reported. Mention the x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axes where these are shown. (The singular of axes is ‘axis’.)
Use appropriate terminology with clear and concise language if you are speaking, and use clear, concise and coherent sentences if you are writing. If you happen to be an expert in the field you are evaluating, do avoid overly technical jargon that may confuse English examiners who are not experts in that field.
Use words that describe the trend, or change, or movement, or information being shown. E.g., increase, decrease, rise, fall, drop, remain stable/steady, plateau.
Use phrases to describe the speed at which changes happen: a sudden/rapid increase, an abrupt or a slow decline, a gradual decline, steady fall, moderate increase, a sharp rise. Learn relevant and descriptive adjectives.
Highlight trends and comparisons. If applicable, point out trends over time, comparisons between different groups or variables, or any cause-and-effect relationships depicted in the visual.
Where results are equal, say so using the word ‘equal’, ‘identical’ or similar. If this is not the case, use comparatives and superlatives such as ‘greater’, ‘highest’, ‘the smaller of the two categories’, ‘the oldest of the three’, ‘the most popular opinion’, ‘the least common answer’, etc.
Always look for a pair of extreme values, e.g., the most expensive and the cheapest, identify them by name and describe them using the measurements given for them.
Your conclusion
Avoid redundancy, you have a limited word count, and make sure that your conclusion adds value to the body of your summary by avoiding repetition of information already described. Where essential points need to be revisited, provides an opportunity to use synonyms. Remember, a quarter of your marks are usually awarded for lexical reach (displaying an extensive vocabulary).
Conclude your summary by discussing the significance of the findings, or implications for the broader field of study if this is appropriate.
Proof editing
In any written examination, it is advisable to allow yourself extra time to review and revise what you have written. Check that you have answered all parts of the question precisely as you have been asked to. Check that the information you have provided is accurate and clear, and that it effectively communicates the main points of the visual in an orderly way. Check that your text is well structured and check that you have used advanced and appropriate lexis, as well as advanced grammatical structures where possible, and ensure you have used a variety of sentences including short, concise ones, and correctly formed, complex sentences.
Remember that the goal of summarising data from academic visuals, in English exams, is to showcase your ability to comfortably and competently explain complex information in a clear and well-structured way.
Conclusion
Follow the above advice regarding a structured introduction, body of summary and a conclusion, and ensure that you are comfortable enough in your English so as not to lose your way in the data. The information you provide must be accurate.
Finally, two problems commonly arise in these tests:
Poor use of the comparative and superlative. Ensure you are adept at using these by studying this article.
Naming complex figures. Ensure you are competent at naming figures such as hundreds, thousands and millions. When talking about a single figure, such as ‘one thousand’ or ‘two million’, do not use the plural form (i.e. thousands, millions).
A common error among examinees is that they do not know how to read figures such as £23,435,167.64 correctly! Learn this and practise it.
Here is a list of useful key words to learn and utilise when describing visuals: characteristics, trends, columns, row, block, figures (watch out for this dual meaning), data, representation, axis, axes, segments (pie charts), feature, stage, varies, differs, fluctuates, majority, minority, third, quarter, under half, more than two thirds, roughly one in four, fewer, more than, less than, as much as, a low of, a high of, a peak, the trough, a dip, a low point, approximately, relatively, overall, percent, percentages, comparison, outcome.
For advice on writing an academic essay, please visit the linked post.
If you have any questions or comments, please do enter them below.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Betsis, Andrew, and others. Succeed in Aptis (Global ELT, 2020)
Burton-Roberts, Noel. Analysing Sentences: An Introduction to English Syntax, 4th edn (Routledge, 2016)
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Cullen, Pauline, and others. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic and General Training (Cambridge University Press/ Cambridge English Language Assessment, 2014)
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New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Oxford University Press, 2005)
PTE Academic Test Builder: Tests that Teach (Macmillan Education, 2012)