Explaining the: TPQEEL Method: T (PQE) EL: Topic – Pattern – Quantification – Exception – Explanation – Linking Using an example to run through the ‘meaning’. Using HAMPTON BEACH as a more specific examples giving ‘example’ answers.

1. Interpreting ‘Geographical Media’
using TPQEEL
*”’Geographical Media’=
the methods that geographical data is presented: maps, graphs, tables, videos”

2. Linking
Explanation
Exception
Quantification
Topic
Pattern
Linking Sentence:
This ‘sentence’ links back to, and allows you to summarize
your interpretation of the Geographic Media being viewed.
Explanation of the Geographic Media:
What is the importance of the Geographic Media compiled
and presented to you?
Exception(s) to the rule:
There are often instances (it is to be expected) where some
‘thing’ doesn’t fit the overall ‘pattern’ – identify it!
Quantification of the ‘Geographic Media’:
The addition of ‘numbers’. Specific numerical detail(s) and
definition(s) to the ‘pattern(s)’ observed.
Topic Sentence:
A ‘sentence’ that states the main idea and/or reason for
the existence of the specific Geographic Media.
The General Pattern:
At first view of a piece of Geographic Media, what stands
out; what makes an impression?

3. By reading your TPQEEL, other people should be able to understand the data you are
describing without needing to see the original Geographical Media i.e. map, graph, table.
Geographers gather DATA (unorganized information) to help them analyse and understand
the world around us. The ‘DATA IS ORGANIZED’ (into information) and is represented by
various and appropriate ‘GEOGRAPHICAL MEDIA’: graphs, maps, tables.
The VISUAL REPRESENTATION of data/information, serves two (2) purposes:
• You can begin to PROCESS (understand) the data/information by categorizing and
classifying it so that it is easier to understand.
• The NEW REPRESENTATION can allow a clearer ANALYSIS of what the data/information is
relaying.
You are now able to GENERALIZE and see the ‘most important’ features of the
data/information.
This makes it easier to COMPARE and CONTRAST different aspects of the data/information
and to draw CONCLUSIONS from these observations.
COMPARE
To see the similarity (between/amongst)
CONTRAST
To see the difference (between/amongst)

4. TAKE NOTES!
Describe it!

5. LOOK at the Geographic Media.
OBSERVE its data.
• BOLTSS?
• What is ‘the data’ ‘informing us’ of?
• What is ‘Climate Change’?
• What is ‘Mortality’?
• What do the colours mean?

6. 1: PATTERNS
Make a PREDICTION about the GEOGRAPHIC
MEDIA’s main idea or meaning.
• Look at the TITLE.
• Look at the LEGEND/KEY.
• Look at the CONTENT.
• IDENTITY any immediate PATTERNS.
2: IMPORTANT DATA/INFORMATION
• What does the TITLE tell us?
• What does the LEGEND/KEY tell us?
• What do the NUMBERS tell us?
• Highest/lowest?
• Largest/smallest?
• Is there anything similar/ different/
irregular?
3: INTERPRETATION
• Consider what you already know about the topic.
• What does this data/information tell you in relation to what you already know?
• Why is this data/information important?
• How do you interpret the data/information in relation to what you already know?
• What conclusion can you make?
4: PLAN your response in accordance with: T.P.Q.E.E.L
This can be done in DOT POINTS or a BRAINSTORM.
TOPIC – PATTERN – QUANTIFICATION – EXCEPTION – EXPLANATION - LINKING

7. A ‘Topic Sentence’ is sometimes referred to as a ‘Focus Sentence’.
A ‘Topic Sentence’ is usually the first sentence in a paragraph.
A ‘Topic Sentence’ essentially tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph is about.
All ‘sentences’ following the ‘Topic Sentence’ have to give more information about
the ‘Topic Sentence’; state the FACTS it presents or describe it.
Every ‘Topic Sentence’ will have a ‘Controlling Idea’.
The ‘Controlling Idea’ shows the direction the paragraph will take.
Examples:
Topic Sentence: To be an effective Geographer requires certain characteristics.
• The Topic: ‘To be an effective Geographer’
• The Controlling Idea: ‘requires certain characteristics’
Topic Sentence: There are many possible contributing factors to global warming.
• The Topic: ‘Contributing factors to global warming’
• The Controlling Idea: ‘many possible reasons’
Topic Sentence: There are many reasons why pollution in Port Phillip Bay is at its worst.
• The Topic: ‘Pollution in Port Phillip Bay is at its worse’
• The Controlling Idea: ‘many reasons’
Topic Sentence:
A ‘sentence’ that states the main idea and/or reason for the existence of the specific Geographic Media.

8. Look at your ‘Geographic Media’.
Overall, WHAT do you notice?
ON A MAP
It may be the predominant shade
tone.
ON A GRAPH
It is likely to be the shape of the
line, the height, colour, design of a
particular bar.
IN A TABLE
It is likely to be the significantly
higher or lower numbers in a
category.
It is this GENERAL PATTERN
that you are describing initially.
The colour ‘green’ is predominant on the map.
What information is the colour ‘green’ relaying?
• What relationship(s) do the other colours have
to the colour green?
• The colour ‘red’ is the least present.
 What similarities has ‘red’ with ‘green’?
 What differences has ‘red’ with ‘green’?
The General Pattern:
At first view of a piece of Geographic Media, what stands out; what makes an impression?

9. You have observed the GENERAL PATTERN of the Geographical Media.
The colour ‘green’ is predominant on the map.
Now interpret the GENERAL PATTERN with quantifying data i.e. ‘numerical’ qualifiers.
Quantification of the ‘Geographic Media’:
The addition of ‘numbers’. Specific numerical detail(s) and definition(s) to the ‘pattern(s)’ observed.

10. What seems to be DIFFERENT from the GENERAL
PATTERN?
What doesn’t seem to FIT?
Why doesn’t it FIT?
An EXCEPTION is something that is ‘excluded’ (not
included) from a ‘general statement/ observation’ as it
doesn’t seem to follow the rule.
Stating the EXCEPTION(S) allows you and others to ask more specific
questions and draw conclusions later.
Be specific about the EXCEPTION.
Describe where it STARTS and where it ENDS.
If there really is NO SINGLE piece of data that stands out, then simply write/say:
‘There is no exception to this trend.’
Be sure, be careful, because more often than not there is an anomaly/irregularity about the DATA.
Exception(s) to the rule:
There are often instances (it is to be expected) where some ‘thing’ doesn’t fit the overall ‘pattern’ –
identify it!

11. Why is the DATA/INFORMATION important?
What does the DATA/INFORMATION tell us via the GEOGRAPHICAL MEDIA?
If there was an ORIGINAL QUESTION or TASK….
How does the DATA/INFORMATION answer the ORIGINAL QUESTIONS or TASK?
EXPLAIN
- what you are being asked –
ANSWER
- the ‘Why’ reason(s) or ‘How’ reason(s) –
(there might me ONE reason or SEVERAL reasons; answer each individually and clearly)
CONCLUDE
- Having presented the ‘Why(s)/How(s)’ state your
o Opinion,
o General observation
Explanation of the Geographic Media:
What is the importance of the Geographic Media compiled and presented to you?

12. This should summarise your interpretation/suggestion of the DATA/INFORMATION
and
LINK it to the ORIGINAL QUESTION / GEOGRAPHICAL MEDIA / QUERY.
Linking Sentence:
This ‘sentence’ links back to, and allows you to summarize your interpretation of the Geographic Media
being viewed.

13. Geographical Terminology that you can use when describing a PATTERN:
increase, decrease, gradual, rapid, trend, inverse, minor, major, steady, fluctuate, plateau,
even, uneven, dense, sparse, concentrated and like.
ALWAYS:
Refer to the TITLE of the Geographic Media that you are describing.
Geographical Terminology that you can use when QUANTIFYING:
On graphs/tables:
use the units of measurement: degrees, Celsius, metres, dollars, euro, percentages, etc
On a Map:
hemispheres, continents, regions, directions, bodies of water, names of countries, etc
Geographical Terminology that you can use when stating an EXCEPTION:
• Be specific about the exception.
• Use data/information from the graph/map/table to precisely describe the
anomaly/irregularity.
ALWAYS:
Refer to the TITLE of the Geographic Media that you are describing.

14. What is a 'Topic Sentence'?
Poster: Climate Change Hurts: Fabrica
Copy and paste into URL (Data Analysis: Word Sheet):
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