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Focus on Viewing and Representing

Analyzing
Graphics
W

ords, words, words! Do you ever get tired of so many

words? What happened to pictures? How about some
numbers? Not everything needs to be explained with words. Numbers can give strong support for cause-and-effect essays. Pictures
often make ideas clearer. Because cause-and-effect writings often
include numbers as support, graphics can help the reader visualize
information.

W H AT S
AHEAD?
In this workshop you
will examine charts and
graphs. You will also
learn how to

read and understand

graphics

understand the purposes of pie charts

and bar graphs

Understanding Graphics
You have probably seen graphics many placeson the backs of cereal cartons, in commercials, and even on signs in your school.
Graphics, such as charts and graphs, are a great way to present numerical information. Presenting such information visually often
makes it easier for readers to understand.

Follow the Clues Every graphic gives clues that will help you
understand its meaning. Some graphics may not have all of these
clues, but even one or two can help you analyze a graphic.
The title gives the graphics topic or main idea.
Labels identify each of the different parts shown in the graphic. In
a bar graph (see next page) or line graph, labels identify the two
categories of numbers plotted on the graph.
The legend explains special symbols, codes, and colors.
The source (in small type near the graphic) tells where the information shown in the graphic came from and the year in which
that information was published.

Focus on Viewing and Representing

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113

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What Works? Two common types of graphics are pie charts

and bar graphs. Each is best suited to a particular purpose.
Major Sources of
Ocean Pollution
Dumping
of wastes
10%

Offshore oil
production
1%

Shipping
12%

Runoff
from land
44%

Air
Pollution
33%

Pie charts identify the parts of a

whole and each parts relative size.
Pie charts are best for showing percentages. Can you identify the title,
labels, and source in the pie chart to
the left?
Bar graphs show comparison between quantities and can represent
two sets of numbers relating to the
same topic. To read a bar graph,
match the label for each bar to the
number that bar reaches. What two
sets of numbers does each bar in the
graph below represent?

SOURCE: United Nations Environment Program, 1990

Solid Waste Generated Per Person

4.50

4
3.66

3
2

3.25
2.68
1.35

1
0

0.73
0.17

0.22

0.35

1960

1970

1980

Total pounds
of garbage

YOUR
TURN

4.51

12

1990

SOURCE: Franklin Associates, Ltd., 1999

Pounds per person per day

2000

Pounds of
garbage recycled

Analyzing Graphics

Use the graphics above to answer the following questions.

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Chapter 3

What causes are represented in the pie chart? Write a sentence or

two explaining the information given in the chart.

What point about an environmental issue does the bar graph help
to make? In a sentence or two, explain how it helps make this
point.

Exposition: Explaining Cause and Effect

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