A tutorial on how to present graphs, tables, and charts in an effective and engaging way. For more English tutorials, please visit: https://www.thelecturette.com

1. Talking
about
visuals

2. Talking
about
visuals
1. Introducing the visual
2. Commenting, and interpreting the visual
3. Talking about change and development

3. Introducing
the
visual
Visuals:
• Are highly memorable
• Reduce the amount of talking
• Should help the speaker
1

4. Introducing
the
visual
Types of visuals:
1
Line graph

5. Introducing
the
visual
Types of visuals:
1
Bar graph

6. Introducing
the
visual
Types of visuals:
1
Pie chart

7. Introducing
the
visual
Types of visuals:
1
Table

8. Introducing
the
visual
Types of visuals:
1
Flow chart

9. Introducing
the
visual
1
Shifting focus
to the screen
• Let’s have a look at this …
• As you can see here, …

10. Introducing
the
visual
1
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
• This graph shows the amount of traffic to our website throughout the
year.
• The bar graph compares the number of people that commuted by car
to those who commuted by bicycle between 2015 and 2020.

11. Introducing
the
visual
1
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
Making a
general
comment
• As you can see, the average turnover shows a steady upward trend.
• What is clear is that the number of visitors to the Netherlands
fluctuates throughout the year.

12. Introducing
the
visual
1
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
Making a
general
comment
Highlighting
• If we look at 2018, …
• The period between March and September shows …

13. Commenting
on the
visual
2
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
Making a
general
comment
Highlighting Commenting
• 2017 shows a significant spike in the number of online sales.
• Here, the table shows an anomaly in the results.

14. 2
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
Making a
general
comment
Highlighting Commenting Interpreting
• This number can be explained by the abnormally hot summer we had.
• What we can learn from this is that we need to increase production.
Interpreting
the
visual

15. 2
Shifting focus
to the screen
Explaining the
visual
Making a
general
comment
Highlighting Commenting Interpreting
Interpreting
the
visual

16. Change
and
development
Verbs for changes and developments:
3
increase/decre
ase
decline hit a low plummet
rise/fall remain stabilise drop
fluctuate grow shrink plunge
recover peak slump shoot up
bottom out expand narrow take off
• The table illustrates that profits have stabilised during this quarter.
• Last year, stock prices plummeted due to the trade dispute.

17. Change
and
development
Adjectives/adverbs for commenting on speed
and importance:
3
substantial notable disastrous
rapid spectacular steady
moderate disappointing slight
enormous encouraging significant
• The graph suggests an encouraging trend.
• In 2018, overhead costs were cut significantly.

18. Example
• So, I’d like to draw your attention to this graph.(Drawing attention to the screen)
What it illustrates is the number of people killed in car accidents
between 2000 and 2010 (Explaining the visual). As you can see, the number
fluctuated significantly during that time (General comment), but I’d like to
focus on the year 2014 (Highlighting), when the number of casualties
increased dramatically (Commenting). The explanation for this sudden rise
in deaths can be found in the extreme weather during that period
(interpreting).

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