Writing from charts, tables and pictures

Q: Which verb tense is most commonly used to describe actions in a picture?

The Present Continuous tense (is/are + verb-ing) is typically used to describe actions happening in a picture.

Q: What are the three common types of visuals used to show numerical information?

The three common types are Tables (rows and columns), Bar Charts (bars showing categories), and Pie Charts (slices showing parts of a whole).

Q: What grammar patterns are used to compare data in charts?

We use comparatives (e.g., "cheaper than"), superlatives (e.g., "the most popular"), and quantity words (e.g., "many," "a few").

Q: What is the first thing you should look for when analyzing a chart or table?

Always look for the highest and lowest numbers first, as these highlight the most important trends.

Q: Which connectives should you use to show the sequence of information?

Use sequencing connectives such as First, Second, Next, Then, and Finally .

Q: How do you show contrast and reason in your writing?

Use But or Although for contrast, and Because or So to show reasons or results.

English · Lower Secondary · 4 min read · Updated: 7 Sept 2026

Introduction: Turning Visuals into Words

Have you ever seen a graph in a science book or a picture of a busy market and wondered how to explain it in English? In this chapter, we will learn how to take non-linear media (things like charts, tables, and pictures) and turn them into clear, written sentences. This is a very useful skill for school projects and real-life situations like reading news or sharing information about your community.

Writing from visuals helps you organize your thoughts and use English to describe the world around you. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first—we will break it down into easy steps!

Section 1: Writing from Pictures

When you look at a picture, your job is to describe what is happening so that someone who cannot see the picture can understand it. We usually use the Present Continuous tense to describe actions happening in the picture.

The "Who, What, Where" Method

To write a good description, try to answer these three questions:

1. Who is in the picture? (e.g., a student, a group of tourists, a family)
2. What are they doing? (e.g., playing football, buying food, cleaning the park)
3. Where are they? (e.g., at school, in the hospital, at the beach)

Example:
"In the picture, a family is having a picnic in the park. The children are playing with a ball, and the parents are eating sandwiches."

Describing Details

You can also describe the environment or weather. Is it sunny? Are there many trees? Use adjectives to make your writing more interesting.

"The weather is sunny. There are many green trees and a small pond behind the family."

Quick Review: Use is/are + verb-ing for actions in pictures (e.g., The boy is running).

Section 2: Writing from Tables and Charts

Tables and charts show information using numbers. Your goal is to compare the data and find the main idea.

Common Types of Visuals

1. Tables: Information arranged in rows and columns.
2. Bar Charts: Use bars to show which category is higher or lower.
3. Pie Charts: A circle divided into "slices" to show parts of a whole.

Key Language for Comparison

To write about charts, you need to use comparison words. Remember these patterns:

1. Comparative: "Apples are cheaper than oranges."
2. Superlative: "The most popular sport is football."
3. Quantity: Use words like many, much, a lot of, some, or a few.

Example (Table about favorite fruit):
\(15\) students like bananas, \(10\) students like apples, and \(5\) students like grapes.
"According to the table, bananas are the most popular fruit. More students like apples than grapes. Only a few students chose grapes."

Key Takeaway

Always look for the highest and lowest numbers first. These are the easiest things to write about!

Section 3: Essential Vocabulary and Grammar

To connect your ideas smoothly, use these transition words and phrases:

Sequencing Connectives

When describing a process or multiple parts of a chart, use these to stay organized:
First, Second, Third, Next, Then, Finally.

Showing Contrast and Reason

1. But / Although: To show a difference. (e.g., "Many people like tea, but nobody likes coffee.")
2. Because / So: To give a reason or result. (e.g., "It is raining, so the students are staying inside.")

Useful "Intro" Phrases

Start your sentences with these to sound more professional:
- "The chart shows..."
- "From the picture, we can see..."
- "The table tells us about..."

Section 4: Step-by-Step Writing Guide

Follow these steps whenever you have to write about a chart, table, or picture:

Step 1: Analyze the visual. Read the title and look at the labels or the main action. What is the overall topic? (e.g., Health, Travel, Food).
Step 2: Find the main idea. What is the biggest thing you notice? Write one sentence about it.
Step 3: Add details. Look for specific numbers or descriptions. Use and, but, or because to join your sentences.
Step 4: Summarize. Give a short concluding thought or opinion. (e.g., "In conclusion, most students prefer healthy food.")

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Confusing "Many" and "Much": Use many for things you can count (students, apples) and much for things you cannot count (water, money).
- Forgetting the "s": When using Present Simple for facts, remember "The chart shows..." (not "The chart show").
- Being too specific: You don't have to list every single number. Focus on the most important ones, like the highest and lowest.

Did you know? Writing from charts is called "interpreting data." It is a skill used by doctors, scientists, and even famous YouTubers to understand what their audience likes!

Chapter Summary

Writing from Pictures: Focus on the action (Present Continuous) and the setting.
Writing from Charts/Tables: Use comparison words (more than, most) and identify the main trends.
Connecting Ideas: Use connectives like First, Next, and Because to make your paragraph flow.
Target: Keep your writing simple, clear, and focused on the facts shown in the visual.

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What is non-linear media?

Non-linear media refers to information presented visually, such as charts, tables, and pictures, rather than in continuous text.

Which verb tense is most commonly used to describe actions in a picture?

The Present Continuous tense (is/are + verb-ing) is typically used to describe actions happening in a picture.

What is the "Who, What, Where" method for picture description?

It is a strategy to cover the main points of a picture by identifying the people (Who), their actions (What), and the location (Where).

How can you add more detail to a picture description?

You can describe the environment, weather, and surroundings using descriptive adjectives.

What are the three common types of visuals used to show numerical information?

The three common types are Tables (rows and columns), Bar Charts (bars showing categories), and Pie Charts (slices showing parts of a whole).

What grammar patterns are used to compare data in charts?

We use comparatives (e.g., "cheaper than"), superlatives (e.g., "the most popular"), and quantity words (e.g., "many," "a few").

What is the first thing you should look for when analyzing a chart or table?

Always look for the highest and lowest numbers first, as these highlight the most important trends.

Which connectives should you use to show the sequence of information?

Use sequencing connectives such as First, Second, Next, Then, and Finally.

How do you show contrast and reason in your writing?

Use But or Although for contrast, and Because or So to show reasons or results.

What are the four steps to writing about a visual?

1. Analyze the visual, 2. Find the main idea, 3. Add details, and 4. Summarize.

When should you use "many" versus "much"?

Use many for countable items (like students) and much for uncountable items (like water).

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