Download as PDF, PPTX
Uploaded bySafwan Brightwell
Using Tables in Technical Writing
The document discusses the benefits and guidelines for using tables in technical writing, emphasizing their effectiveness in presenting data clearly and concisely. It outlines the two main types of tables, numerical and qualitative, and provides tips for designing them appropriately for the audience. Additionally, the document includes instructions on how to describe tables, such as summarizing key trends and providing context.
More Related Content
Using Tables in Technical Writing
- 1. TablesTables UsingUsing In Technical WritingInTechnical Writing
- 2. Outcomes Recognize the benefitsof using table in technical writing
- 3. Outcomes Identify the twomain types of table
- 4.
- 5.
- 6. Tables are apowerful way of showing textual information such as specifications or comparisons.
- 7. The main advantageof tables is that they can be used for any data.
- 8. There are twobasic types of table: Numerical quantitative Prose qualitative
- 9. Any table youuse should be simple to read so don’t put too much information in it.
- 10. Tables should bedesigned with your audience in mind so use the right amount of detail.
- 11.
- 12. Don’t include toomuch information
- 13. The role ofthe table is to present all of the data. limit it to 2-3 comparisons
- 14. The role ofthe table is to present all of the data. use multiple tables if needed
- 15. Give a briefbut descriptive title use multiple tables if needed
- 16. Give a briefbut descriptive title
- 17. Give a briefbut descriptive title say exactly what’s being compared
- 18. Line up dataclearly
- 19. Line up dataclearly use neat columns and rows
- 20. Line up dataclearly give plenty of space
- 21.
- 22.
- 23. Keep the information brief limitthe amount of words
- 24. How to Describe aTable How to Describe a Table 33
- 25. The role ofthe table is to present all of the data.
- 26. Table 1.1 -Social Media Usage (in Minutes), April 2015 and April 2016 “ “ Platform April 2015 April 2016 Growth Twitter 13,735,698 28,872,640 210% Facebook 7,254,645 12,845,364 177% What’s App 5,265,789 9,255,784 175% Snapchat 4,258,974 9,365,247 219% Source: socialworld.com
- 27. So when youdescribe it, you only have to summarize the important points.
- 28.
- 29. introduce the table bystating what it shows
- 30. and refer toit by its number
- 31.
- 32. include any qualifying information dates,places etc.
- 33. use the presenttense
- 34. Table 1.1 Name Verb shows illustrates depicts Description changesin the use of four different social media apps from 2015 to 2016
- 35. be sure tomention your source
- 36. Table 1.1 showsthe usage in minutes of four social media platforms in April 2015 and April 2016 according to socialworld.com. “ “
- 37.
- 38. mention any trends thatappear in the data
- 39. mention any trends thatappear in the data you can mention more than one
- 40. don’t mention any specificinformation
- 41. start with agood introductory expression
- 42.
- 43.
- 44. “overall” “as shown” “as wecan see”
- 45. As shown, socialmedia usage increased dramatically between April 2015 and April 2016. “ “
- 46.
- 47. follow the topic sentencewith supporting sentences
- 48. give 2-3 examplesthat prove the trend
- 49.
- 50. Snapchat was thefastest growing, increasing by 219 per cent. This was closely followed by Twitter which increased by 210 per cent. “ “
- 51. Group different items togetherto make your paragraph easier to read
- 52. Facebook and What’sApp also grew considerably, with usage increasing by 177 per cent and 175 per cent, respectively. “ “
- 53.
- 54. Finish with aconcluding sentence that restates the main point
- 55. repeat the maintrend or identify a second one
- 56.
- 57. The amount oftime people spent using all four apps increased between 2015 and 2016. “ “
- 58.
- 59.
- 60.
- 61.