UNIT 10

READING TABLES AND

GRAPHS
(CHARTS)
Objectives:
1. To understand kinds of
illustrated information
2. To familiarize with tables,
graphs or charts
3. To read graphs, tables, or
charts

A. Table
A

table normally consists of five

main components:
1. Title of the table
2. Head of its rows
3. Head of its columns
4. Information, and
5. Footnote of the table

Table:
Computer Sales of Brands in 1997
Quarters of 1997

Brands

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

20

27

90

20

30

39

35

32

46

47

45

44

Source: Computer Brand Industry, 1997

B. Graph or Chart
There are three types of
graphs/charts:
1) Histogram (Bar Graph)
2) Pie Chart
3) Line Chart

Bar Graph
Computer Sales of Brands in 1997
100
80
A

Number
60
of Units
sold 40

B
C

20
0

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Source: Computer Brand Industry, 1997

Pie Chart
Computer Sales of Brand A in 1997
1st
Qtr
2n
d
Qtr
3rd
Qtr
4th
Qtr
Source: Computer Brand Industry, 1997

Line Chart
Computer Sales of Brands in 1997
100
Number
80 of Units Sold

60

40

20
0
1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

The same as Tables, Graphs also have:

(1) Title,
(2) Information, and
(3) Footnote.
Graphs will have only two variables:
one independent and one dependent
variable presented in Two Axes (for a
line graph or a bar graph, but not for
a pie graph), namely the axes Y that
represents a dependent variable and
the axes X that represents
independent variable.

HOW TO READ THE CHART OR TABLE?

1. A good reader will read a table or
graph in three steps, from
specific to general information by:
2. Describing the component of the
table or graph,
3. Inferring its data by comparing
and contrasting, and
4. Concluding

Step I: Describing the component of the

Here, at firsttable
or (1)
graph
we read
the title of the
table or graph, (2) the source, and (3)
the variables contained in the columns
and rows, or the variables in Axis Y and
Axis X. Next, we read the content of the
information. In reading the content, it is
not necessary for you to read all of the
information. You can read the
information that you might think the
most important; even though, to some
extent, you have to do that sometimes.

 So,

based on the figures, we

can describe that:

The title of the table or graph is

Computer Sales of Brands in 1997

The source is Computer Brand Industry,

1997

The variable in Axis Y is the number of

units sold.

The variable in Axis X. is the period of

Sale (quarter)

There are three types of computer

brands: A, B and C

Step II: Inferring its data by comparing

contrasting
To Indicate and
Upward
Movement
Verb

Noun

To increase

increase, hike

To raise

raise

To jump

jump

To climb

To go up

For examples:

The sale of computer Brand A increased in 3rd

Qtr 1997

The increase of both Computers Brand A and B

occurred in 2nd Qtr.

To Indicate Downward Movement

Verb

Noun

To decrease

decrease

To fall
To drop

fall
drop

To decline

decline

To go down

For examples:
Computer Brand As sale dropped sharply in 4th
Qtr.
The sale of computer B started to decline from
2nd Qtr.

To Indicate Stability:
Verb

Noun
To level out
leveling out
To remain steady
Not Change
no change

For

example:
The sale of Computer Brand C remained
steady in 1997.

Other Situation:
Amplifying

with Adverbs:
fractionally higher, slightly lower,
somewhat lower, considerably higher,
etc.
Some prepositions are also used to
indicate the changes;
e.g:
The percentage rose from 60% to 80%.
The figure fell from 80% to 60%.
The amount stood/stayed at 234.000.
The figure rose by three percent

 The

Step III: Concluding

final step is conclusion. You might

conclude that the table or graph indicates
the fluctuation or the rise or the decline of
something from time to time. This may
lead you to give a suggestion or proposal
or recommendation about the strategy to
get involve or cope the related situation
in the future.
For examples:
The sale of Computer Brand C was bigger
than brand B.
The percentage of computer brand A fell
by 70 % in 4th Qtr.

THANK YOU