©2015 Paul Read Describing Tables in Part One /sizes/z/in/photostream/

©2014 Paul Read Describing Tables in Part One What kind of information is contained in a table? What makes a good answer? How to plan an answer Worked example Extra practice

What kind of information is contained in a table? Rows and columns of data Usually used to compare data Used when comparing many different things Sometimes used to show changes over time ©2015 Paul Read

What makes a good answer? The reader must understand the main points of the table and what it wants to show You must select the main features: don’t write about everything. Choose 2 or 3 important facts Write a short introduction to explain what the table shows, without copying from the question Write a sentence to summarize the general information contained in the table ©2015 Paul Read

How to plan an answer Spend a few minutes looking carefully at the table. What is it telling you? What are the main features? Choose 2 or 3 important differences or features – these may be the largest numbers, the smallest, the biggest differences between columns or rows Write a brief paragraph to explain to the reader what the writing is about – do not copy the information from the question Describe each of the main points in turn. Use language of comparison if necessary Don’t try to speculate about why the numbers are as they are Remember to include a short summary of the whole table ©2015 Paul Read

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read Government spending as % of GDP Area Europe25.5%31.1%38.6%40.1% Latin America16.6%19.2%25.5%21.0% Canada19.5%23.6%26.2%21.5% USA20.8%20.7%22.7%19.9% The table below gives information on Government spending as a proportion of GDP in 4 different regions. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Worked Example - Introduction ©2015 Paul Read Government spending as % of GDP Area Europe25.5%31.1%38.6%40.1% Latin America16.6%19.2%25.5%21.0% Canada19.5%23.6%26.2%21.5% USA20.8%20.7%22.7%19.9% The table shows the spending by various governments as compared to GDP in four different areas (namely, Europe, Latin America, Canada and the United States) at four different times between 1973 and 1998.

Worked Example – Main Body 1 (Summary) ©2015 Paul Read Government spending as % of GDP Area Europe25.5%31.1%38.6%40.1% Latin America16.6%19.2%25.5%21.0% Canada19.5%23.6%26.2%21.5% USA20.8%20.7%22.7%19.9% The data show a generally increasing trend in government spending, particularly in Europe, until 1990, with most regions reducing their spending by 1998.

Worked Example – Main Body 2 ©2015 Paul Read Government spending as % of GDP Area Europe25.5%31.1%38.6%40.1% Latin America16.6%19.2%25.5%21.0% Canada19.5%23.6%26.2%21.5% USA20.8%20.7%22.7%19.9% In 1973, the highest government spending could be found in Europe, at 25.5% of GDP. Latin America, by contrast, spent the least at 16.6% of GDP. This high spending in Europe was maintained throughout the other years included in the study. Europe was consistently the highest spender, and in 1998 spending had increased to over 40% of GDP, nearly double that of any other region.

Worked Example – Main Body 3 ©2015 Paul Read Government spending as % of GDP Area Europe25.5%31.1%38.6%40.1% Latin America16.6%19.2%25.5%21.0% Canada19.5%23.6%26.2%21.5% USA20.8%20.7%22.7%19.9% All regions showed an increase in spending until 1990, but by 1998 Latin America and Canada had reduced their government spending proportions to around 21% from 25.5% and 26.6% respectively. The United States was the only region which actually spent a lower proportion of GDP on government spending in 1998 than in 1973 (at 19.9%).

Extra Practice Go to The English Site website to find another table writing practice exercise Look at some student answers to the exercise and read my comments on these answers ©2015 Paul Read