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Appendix B: Reading GraphicsThe Skilled Reader

(Updated Edition) by D. J. HenryPowerPoint Presentation

by Gretchen Starks-MartinSt. Cloud State University, MN

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Basic Guidelines for Reading Graphics

Read the title or caption (usually at the top).Note the source (usually at the bottom).Read any footnotes.Read the labels of the columns and rows. (See the examples in Appendix B.)

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Analyzing the GraphicAnalyze the graphic’s format.Analyze the unit of measurement.Analyze trends and patterns.

Note the examples in Appendix B.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Three Basic Types of GraphicsTables

Graphs

Diagrams

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

TablesA table is a systematic ordering of facts in rows and columns for easy reference.Its purpose is to classify and compare the given facts.Often the facts are given as numbers or statistics.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

GraphsGraphs show the relationship between two or more sets of ideas.Line graphs, bar graphs, and circle graphs (or pie charts) are the most common.

0102030405060708090

1stQtr

2ndQtr

3rdQtr

4thQtr

EastWestNorth

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DiagramsA diagram is a graphic that explains in detail the relationships between the parts of an idea to the whole idea.Flow charts, pictograms, and drawings are examples.

© 2005 Pearson Education Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

Practice your skills by taking the review tests in Appendix B.