ST.

JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

TRAINING ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING CENTER INC.
FRA Bldg. Carmen West Rosales Pangasinan / Aguila Road, Sevilla, San Fernando City La Union

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
Fourth Quarter –
Module 1: Present a Novel
Concept or Project with
Accompanying Visual/Graphic
Aids
(Week 9)

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 Subject: English for Academic and Professional
Purposes
Grade & Section: Grade 11
Module No. 1
Week: 9
Subject Teacher: Mr. Mark Deen Santos

Objectives:
1. Present a novel concept or project with accompanying visual/graphic
aids.

Lesson Present a Novel Concept or Project with

1 Accompanying Visual/Graphic Aids

According to Barrot and Sipacio (2016), visuals can be classified into six groups
as shown below:

Graphic/Visual
Aids

Charts Tables Graphs Diagram Visual Maps

The Northern Arizona University in its online platform, explained that many
technical pieces of writing have two main kinds of material which are:
1. the written portion of the document, the prose
2. graphic material that supports the prose

The prose and the graphic material should go hand in hand to make the
presentation clearer for the audience or the reader. Typically, readers read the prose first
and would go looking for some graphics to search for more information or even
clarifications. This is why the graphic portion of any document is essential. It is likewise
necessary that these graphic materials should provide clarity, not confusion.
Reminder:
Barrot and Sipacio (2016) presents the following as some of the basic rules in
adding diagrams to your text.
1. Determine the purpose of the visual.
2. Evaluate the accuracy and validity of the data.

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 3. Visuals should be accompanied by clear references within your text (e.g. as shown
in Figure 4, the…)
4. Visuals should be placed on the same page as the text references. Complex visuals
should be placed in the page opposite the text reference.
5. Preferably, position the visual vertically.
6. Make your visual as simple and self-explanatory as possible by adding data labels.
7. If the visuals are colored, go for basic contrasting colors which are easy on the eyes,
as much as possible avoid adding patterns and textures as well as neon color.

THE GRAPHIC
CHARTS
Usually, a chart uses lines, boxes, and arrows when presenting data. Its principal
purpose is to show ranks, levels, classifications, and orders.
The two most common charts are the organizational charts (also called
organigram or organogram) which can be found in many offices, and the other one is the
flow chart that tells about processes, orders, and steps. Look at the examples that follow.
Organizational Chart of the Office of the President of the Republic of the
Philippines

This organizational chart presents the offices that function under the Office of the
President. The levels shown in this chart make it easier for a reader to understand which
offices function higher than the others.
Reminder:
1. The right size. Charts that are too large in size can be overwhelming. Three
charts that are clear will always be better than one overloaded chart. This way, the
audience can take their time to understand the structure and when they’re ready,
they can just check out the other departments or divisions.
2. The right shapes and colors. Using the same shape for the same level or

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 department can be a big help for the audience to understand the organization
better. This rule also goes to the use of colors.
3. The right information. Additional information about the staff such as contact
information, location, and specialties is also a way to help readers get a full
advantage of looking at an organization chart

Since a flow chart illustrates processes or steps, the template below which is an
adaptation of Barrot and Sipacio’s (2016) can be easily applied and used.

Reminder:
1. Summarize the entire procedure. Present only the key points and integral steps.
2. Just like in making an organizational chart, it is needed to limit the types of
shapes to be used. Remember that rectangles refer to an event which is a part of
the process, while diamonds show a point where one has to make a decision,
oftentimes, responding to a yes-no question. Lastly, rounded boxes are used to
mark the start or end of a process.
3. Legends should be provided when needed.
4. Let the chart flow from left to right or from top to bottom.
5. Keep the flow chart simple and comprehensive.

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TABLES
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines tables as systematic arrangement of data
usually in rows and columns for ready reference. A row is a list of items presented straight
across a table while a column presents data vertically.
The SI units of measurement

In reading and interpreting a table, it is important that the title was understood
since it is the primary source as to what the table is about. Whether the data presented
are updated or not, checking will not harm. Since many tables present numerical data,
they also have to be accurate.
GRAPHS
According to reference.com, graphs are meant to be focused on the data in question
and how they trend. They have exact numerical figures shown on axes, usually organized
on the left and bottom of the graph. Common graph types include dot-and-line and bar
graphs. Graphs are most commonly used in analyses and situations that call for raw and
exact. Some of the common types of graphs are: bar, line, pie, and pictograph.
Bar Graph

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Line Graph
Forecast of COVID-19 in the Philippines

In describing a graph, certain collocations are used to better relay what the graph
is all about. The chart below provides the words/ expressions that can be used.
Verb Adverb Verb Adjective+Noun
grow (grew) slightly drop (dropped) a slight drop
rise (rose) gradually fall (fell) a gradual fall
increase (increased) steadily decrease (decreased) a sharp decrease
climb (climbed) sharply decline (declined) a steady decline
Also: a peak, to peak, a plateau, to level; off, a trough
Source: Bailey, S. (2011). Academic Writing for International Students.p.158.

Examples:
• The percentage of consumers who prefer buying pork over fish rose steadily in
week 1 but dropped slightly on the following week.
• A sharp decrease was noted in using an anti-virus software for newly bought
laptops this month.

Budget for Capital in Tocino Business

10%

20%
45%

25%

Ingredients Packing Manpower/Labor Miscellaneous (accidental expenses)

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Reminders:
1. Whether be it a line, a pie, or a bar, limit the number of elements in the graph. Too
many lines, slices, and bars can be confusing to the readers and may present
erroneous data instead.
2. Aesthetics is important so keep the width of the lines, graphs, or pictures
consistent.
3. When making a bar graph, spaces between bars may be clearer. However, if the
data to be presented are many and yet essential to be on one graph together, these
spaces may be omitted.
4. Arrange the data logically. Follow a particular sequence (i.e. ascending or
descending).
5. Provide legends if necessary.

DIAGRAMS
A drawing that shows arrangements and relations is called a diagram. Merriam-
Webster Dictionary also defines diagram as a graphic design that explains rather than
represents. The Venn Diagram is probably one of the most popular types of diagram due
to its simplicity yet ability to summarize details.
Components of Electronic Systems

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VISUAL IMAGES
Visual images are pictures or photographs. Providing visual images to reports and
concept papers can surely support and in some cases, add information. If taken well, these
images can likewise add aesthetics to the output.
Here is one good example of using visual images in a report. This is a page in a
multinational company’s annual report. Notice how the photographs intensified the over
all effect to anyone who may read it.

Reminders in Adding Visual Images to Reports

1. Add only the appropriate and relevant photos. Consider the most suited photos to
the topics discussed. Too many photos can make your report more like a photo
album.
2. Lay-outing is important. It means how the images shall be positioned on the paper.
It has to be near the part that it supports or add information to.
3. The quality of the photo should also be considered. They have to be clear, clean,
and comprehensible so a blurry photo is a big NO.
4. Taking photos can be difficult. Help should always come in handy if there are
friends and acquaintances who are passionate about photography or
photojournalism. The angles, light exposure, and perspectives are just some of the
technicalities. However, downloading photos from the internet will save time and
effort but never forget to give credits.

MAPS
Maps can be common addition to reports especially when presenting data about
places or areas. Since maps are usually presented with numerical data, using them can
somehow break the monotony of numbers in a presentation.

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 This presentation shows recorded cases of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) in the
Bicol region as of July 27, 2020. There are two graphic aids used in this report: a table
and a map.

Activity
Activity 1.
Direction: Write a short description of each graphic aid and data presented below. Write
your answer in your answer sheet. (10 points each)
1. Bar Graph

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 2. Line Graph

Activity 2.
Direction: Determine the graphic aid which would best represent the data in each item.
Make sure to add a title and a legend in each graphic aid. (10 points each)
1. The following data were gathered after performing a survey among students of St.
John Paul High School about the social networking sites they frequently use:
• Out of 300 students surveyed, 94% has Facebook accounts, 80% owns
Twitter accounts, and 56% uses Instagram.
2. Marimar is trying to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between
Karate and Taekwondo as she has to decide on which she wants to learn for the
summer vacation. Here are the similarities and differences she has identified.
• Karate uses more hand attacks compared to Taekwondo that involves more
kicking, jumping, and spinning
• In Karate, the legs are grounded most of the time. In Taekwondo, kicking is
the main attack so the legs are hardly grounded.
• Kicks are just back-up moves while in Taekwondo, hands are the back-ups.
• Both require patience and discipline.
• Both offer rigorous training and work-out

Assessment

Direction: Identify which graphic aid fits the description in each number. Write your
answer in your notebook.
1. This graphic aid often presents numerical data using two axes that are usually
placed on the left and at the bottom.
2. Adds aesthetics and information to text data in a presentation.
3. A kind of diagram that often presents the similarities and differences of data
through linked circles.
4. A useful aid that displays information in rows and columns.
5. A chart that effectively presents ranks and levels of an organization, unit, group,
or department.
6. A drawing that shows arrangements and relations.
7. A graphic aid that is commonly used for places, geographies, or locations.
8. A kind of graph composed of vertical or horizontal bars.
9. This kind of graph uses slices to represent data that are often about budgets,
consumptions, and expenses.
10. A chart that describes processes, instructions, or directions.

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 References

Bailey, S. (2011). Academic writing for international students (third edition).

Routledge.
Barrot,J. and Sipacio, P.J. (2016). Communication Today: English for Academic
and Professional Purposes. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Northern Arizona University. (n.d.). Types of Graphics.
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~larkin/eng302/class/rhetoric/graphics/lesson1-4-
2.html
Mau, D. (September 25, 2019). How to make the best org chart for your business.
Microsoft.com https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/business-
insights-ideas/resources/make-org-charts-foryour-business

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