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Content
Basic English
Structure in Writing and Thinking
Business Communication [Report
Writing]
Conceptual 1
2
General Introduction – Communication is an essential function of organisation. Whether written or oral, it is the conduit through which an organisation speaks to its customers. Below are some salient points on communication.
Good communication is an essential
skill of leadership
Bad communicators often loose out on first dates
Bad communica
tion has cost
businessesmillions of
Naira
Good communicators
are more successful at
advancing their careers
Conceptual
3
Excerpts – Many of us, even with great education, from the most expensive Ivy league schools in the world are sadly lacking in good communication skills?Never has there been a greater need to ensure better quality of written and spoken English in the workplace.
Recommended Outline: Sentences Subject and Predicate Types and Kinds of Sentences Punctuation Paragraphs Clauses, Phrases and Phrasal Verbs
Better English(Betty
Kirkpatrick)
• Betty Kirkpatrick has a long and distinguished career as editor, publisher and writer of several English reference books such as Lexical Categories: Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives
Book
Author’s Brief Profile
Conceptual
Better English- Introduction
Basic English- Introduction
What Exactly Is Good English??Good English refers to your level of written or spoken English. If you have good English skills, it means that you are able to make yourself understood in conversations or written documents.
Conceptual 5
The Sentence and the Paragraph
The Most Important Unit of
Structure is the Sentence
Your most important business tool as a
business person, are your power
business Sentences!!
Imagine what happens when you cannot
construct a correct sentence?!
Conceptual 6
The Sentence and the Paragraph
Examples
Conceptual 7
The missionaries are coming to
town.
Two heads are always better than
one, especially
when planning for a program.
The document highlights
the specific deliverables as outlined
in the Service Level Agreement.
The processes in each department should eliminate
waste, and ensure efficiency, as
much as possible.
By Struct
ure
Major Sentences
Minor Sentences
By Purpo
se
8
Classification of a Sentence
By Structure• Declarative Sentence• Interrogative Sentence• Exclamatory Sentence• Imperative Sentence
• Simple Sentence• Compound Sentence• Complex Sentence• Complex-compound Sentence
By Purpose
The Sentence and the Paragraph
Conceptual
The Sentence and the Paragraph
Major Sentence
Also known as regular sentences
They possess all of the features of a sentence
They usually have a subject and a predicate
• The clients have requested for a Human Resource audit
• My team came up with a rather functional Performance Management System!
• The implementation of the marketing strategy was a thoroughly exciting and rewarding experience
Examples
Conceptual 9
The Sentence and the Paragraph
Minor Sentence
Also known as Irregular sentences
They lack some of the other features of a sentence
They often lack a subject and a predicate
•Absolutely!•Great Performance!•Power phrase.•Brilliant speech.
Examples
Conceptual 10
The Sentence and the Paragraph
The Subject of a sentence refers to what the sentence is about, often the position or thing that carries out the action of the verbThe subject usually gives a clear idea of what the sentence is about.
The Predicate refers to the part of a sentence or clause that gives information about the subject. It is basically all the parts of a clause or sentence that are not contained in the subject. It can either be a single verb or a number of elements
The subject can be noun, either a common noun or a proper noun or a verbal noun; a noun phrase; a pronoun; a subordinate clause; an infinitive.
Conceptual 11
The Sentence and the Paragraph
Object• The object of a sentence is the part of a sentence that is
acted upon or is affected by the verb. It usually follows the verb to which it relates
• The direct object refers to the person or thing that is directly affected by the action described by the verb
• It can be a noun, and in the sentenceDirect Object
Indirect Object
• An indirect object usually refers to the person who benefits from the action described by the verb, often by receiving something.
• An indirect object can be preceded by the word to or for.• Some verbs commonly take an indirect object as well as
a direct object
Conceptual 12
Content
Basic English
Structure in Writing and Thinking
Business Communication [Report
Writing]
Conceptual 13
14
Excerpts – Most people think getting the right language, making simpler sentences means good writing or writing clearly. However the truth is “getting the thinking clear is more of a problem than getting the language right when writing”.
One critical cause of unclear writing is the’ structure of a document’ which is more pervasive than the ‘right language’ but much easier to correct. The order in which sentences appears with no regard to whether they’re well or poorly written. When a writer’s ordering of his idea conflicts with the capability of a reader’s mind to comprehend them.
Recommended Outline: The Pyramid Structure
o Ordering and Logico Stating the Logico Ordering from top downo Thinking from the bottom up
Structure in Writing & Thinking(Barbara Minto)
Book
Author’s Brief Profile
Conceptual
Structure in Writing and Thinking – Introduction
• Barbara Minto holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Her Course reflects insights drawn from more than 30 years of conducting courses worldwide at major consulting firms and corporations. The phrase “Take this and make it Minto” is common in many of these organizations and the Minto Pyramid Principle is considered the ‘lingua franca’ for serious-minded professionals, especially those who want to be listened to and earnestly wish to advance their careers
The mind perceives any sequence of things that occur
together as belonging together
Consequently, it sets about grouping
these things in a logical mannerThe logic behind the
grouping needs to be clearly statedThe clearest
sequence to presenting ideas is
to order from the top down
The top down ordering follows a
pyramidal structure where the main idea is at the top of the
pyramid
• The mind automatically sorts information into distinctive pyramidal groupings in order to understand it
• Any group of ideas is easier to understand if they arrive pre-sorted into their pyramid
The human mind automatically orders information in a way that it can be easily understood
Conceptual 15
The logic of the ordering needs to be clearly stated so that understanding is enhanced
Tables
Desk
Chairs
LEVEL 1
Inanimate Things
FurnitureComputer Hardware
Software
Tablet Adobe Reader
Scanner
Router
Flash
Dreamweaver
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
Conceptual 16
“The clearest writing sequence is always to give the summarising idea before giving the ideas being summarised”
“Yoido Full gospel Church has one of the largest Pentecostal congregation in the world”
“The church has a membership strength (2008) of 830, 000 members
“The church has 171 associate pastors, 356 lay pastors and several thousands of cell groups today ”
Conceptual 17
“The clearest writing sequence is always to give the summarising idea before giving the ideas being summarised”
“Rotary International is one of the most philanthropic organisation in the world”
“They have contributed billions of dollars to combat various challenges facing the world”
“The Rotary foundation as at August 2006 has spent over $18 million on peace & conflict resolution alone”
Conceptual 18
“Their areas of focus include: disease prevention, water & sanitation, maternal & child health”
“The clearest writing sequence is always to give the summarising idea before giving the ideas being summarised”
• The challenges involved with stopping Boko Haram for the Joint Task Force (JTF) include: the absence of a central database of information on every Nigerian, lack of proper training for security personnel, lack of up-to-date technologies/gadgets to curb acts of terrorism. The JTF could provide security to locals despite these risks, while seeking to put an end to this menace
• JTF should formulate a strategy to secure civilians while seeking to put an end to the reign of terror of Boko Haram
• To successfully stop Boko Haram, The JTF should create a central data base, train its security operatives and invest in up-to-date, ammunitions and forensic gadgets/ equipment
• These factors if implemented could reduce and ultimately stop the occurrence of disasters caused by the deadly terrorist sect
Clear Sequence
Winding Sequence
Conceptual 19
The reader is going to look for a structure connecting the ideas in the write up – You need to tell him in advance
Ideas in every document should form a pyramid under a single thought
1. Ideas at any level of the pyramid must be summaries of the ideas grouped below them
2. Ideas in each grouping must be the same kind of ideas
3. Ideas in each grouping must be logically ordered
Sentence
Paragraph
Sections
3 Key Rules of Structure
There are typically four Logical ways in which to order a set of ideas:- Deductively: major premise, minor premise, conclusion- Chronologically: first, second, third- Structurally: nucleus, cell, organ- Comparatively : first most important, second most
importantConceptual 20
Substructures within the pyramid enable the writer gather ideas in an orderly manner
Main Point (or highest level of abstraction)
Sub-points (a lower level of abstraction, that supports the
main point)
Sub-point 1: answering the question raised in the idea above. Must logically merit
its position as being the first answer
Sub-point 2: answering the question raised in the idea
above as well. Must logically merit its position as being
the second answer etc.
Horizontal Relationship: between sub
points and sub points; presented
in the proper order
Vertical Relationship: between points and sub points;
creates a question and
answer dialogue
The Narrative flow of the
introduction
Since writing is mostly aimed at communicating information that the reader does not know, the introduction should flow in a way that the origin/history of the subject is explained.
Conceptual 21
Substructures within the pyramid enable the writer gather ideas in an orderly manner
Example:
Red Cross should invest in a local Health Center in Sudan
Why?
Reduce long term humanitarian crisis
Increase overall wellbeing of sick, injured refugees
How?
Reversing the occurrence of rapid death through
prolonged absence of Medicare
Attending to injured persons who cannot afford quality
Medicare
Conceptual 22
Content
Basic English
Structure in Writing and Thinking
Business Communication [Report
Writing]
Conceptual 23
24Conceptual
Excerpts – An organisation that is clear, consistent, and effective in its communication with customers, employees, shareholders, creditors and the community is in a good position to establish trust and to elicit their collaboration.
What is true about communication at the enterprise level applies equally at the individual level. People who are good communicators are more successful at advancing in their careers, other factors being equal.
Recommended Outline: Good Writing Start-Up Strategies Everyday Writing [Reports, Memos, Letters and E-mail]
Harvard Business
Essentials – Business
Communication (Harvard Business
Review Press)
Book
Series Advisers Brief Profile
Business Communication – Introduction
• Professor Mary Munter has taught management communication for over twenty-five years at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Among her publication is Guide to Managerial communications, now in its sixth edition and named as one of the five best business books by the Wall Street Journal.
25
Every good piece of writing has a clearly defined objective, scope and approach, so before you begin settle in your mind what the endpoint is and make sure you don’t go out of the scope.
Business Communication – Good Writing
Conceptual
Everyday Writing – Reports
Managers and employees in every facet of business need to communicate clearly and effectively. This is true because of the advancement their organizations derive from communicating everyday thoughts clearly in writing.
One way this can be achieved is through effective report writing. Reports here refers to, monthly reports, meeting notes, memos, financial statements, e-mails, etc.
The important elements in effective report writing are:The planning and general organisation of the report The structure of the content The style of writing The presentation of numerical and graphical data and the
use of references. Each of these will be covered in the slides below.
Conceptual 26
Types of Reports – Reports are designed to convey and record information that will be of practical use to the reader. It is organized into discrete units of specific and highly visible information
Informational
Analytical
Persuasive
• These types of reports are created to show the relationship between to sets of information
• They are written to solve problems whether simple or complex
• Information in this category is usually hybrid (figures and words)
• These type of reports are created to inform or instruct the reader about a specific present situation.
• The reader sees the details of events, activities or conditions
• There is usually no analysis of the situation, conclusion or recommendation
• This is an extension of analytical reports, with the main focus being to sell an idea, service or product
• They are usually captured in a hybrid format (figures & words)
• They are used by consultants and bidders in the process of sealing a deal or contract
• Meeting notes• E-mail reminders• Situational &
Progress report• Essays• Personal
Statements• Curriculum Vitae• Annual reports
Description Types Category
• Investigative reports• Current State
Assessment report• Feasibility report• Periodic operating
report• Financial Statements• White Papers
• Proposals• Bids • Tenders
Conceptual 27
28
Steps to Preparing a Report – Before writing the report you must identify the purpose, plan the contents and research materials. Description Key-
Takeaways Steps
Conceptual
Purpose
Planning
Research
• Writing reports involves gathering facts. It is essential to start off by brainstorming what you have been asked to do. A simple method of doing this is to write down, in the centre of a plain piece of paper, the most important word
or short phrase, then write down any ideas that link to the purpose of the report
• Consider who the report is being written for. This will help you structure your words appropriately and use the right tone or language
• Consider what the reader is going to do with it. This helps you arrange the information in a user friendly way
• Another key point to consider is why you are writing the report. A report should always have a clear objective
• This is a data gathering exercise that aims at finding relevant information to be used in preparing your report
• It would be helpful to state clearly, the scope of your research. This helps to make the research more purposeful, and can save you going off at a tangent or getting distracted.
• Take notes from as many different sources as you practically can – books, journals, magazines, internet documents, etc
• Who is it for?• Why is it
requested?• What do they want
it to cover?• What do they not
want it to cover?
• Think critically about the purpose of the report
• Write down key ideas that are linked to your purpose
• State clearly the scope an the limitations of your research
• Write your notes on a separate piece of paper
29
Effective report writing helps in
building a positive image
for the organisation.
It ensures that every part of the
organization is properly
guided/synchronized for
goal achievemen
t
It serves business managers
as a foundation
for planning
and coordinatio
nUsers find it
easy to advance their career
simply because they’ve
mastered the fine art of report
writing
Conceptual
Importance of Good Report Writing
Effect of Poor Report Writing
Conceptual 30
Poorly written reports can cost you a
job/business deal
It can ruin the goodwill built over many years in split
seconds
It can lead to wastage of manpower,
duplicity of work and inefficient
It Leads to poor performance
since employees who can't clearly express themselves are unlikely to get ahead
as their poor communication often
becomes an obstacle to effective teamwork.
Conceptual 31
Every day Writing – Reports
Monthly reports generally describes the achievements of goals and objectives for the reporting period. This can be an account of financial details, partners or first-timers added, materials sold and distributed, etc. It may also includes challenges, successes, failures and recommendations.
Reports are designed to convey and record information that will be of practical use to the reader. There are different types of reports:
Monthly Reports Progress / Status Reports Annual Reports Investigative Report Periodic Operating Report Feasibility Report
Monthly Unit/Departmental Reports
32
Every day Writing – Steps to Preparing a Unit /Departmental Report 1/2
Highlight Significant
Achievements
• Highlight significant achievements, events, developments, progress and predictions in the introduction section
• Mention major challenges, shortfalls and limitations
Describe Goals & Objectives
• Describe the details of the goals/objectives for the reporting period.
• Under each goal/objective, describe successes and challenges, how they were addressed and rationale
• Say what systems were put in place to avoid/address similar challenges in the future
Summarize Key Production
Figures/Output Levels
• Provide relevant information on output attained in current month under review
• Compare with previous reporting period. Add projections for next reporting period.
• Support with visual representations such as tables, graphs and charts as appropriate
Insert On-going Projects
• Describe highlights, developments within the reporting period, difficulties and limitations. Include expectations and shortfalls.
• Use visual representations for input/output information, trends, and predictions
Conceptual
33
Use Separate Sections for New
Activities
• Do this for new activities and projects developed during the reporting period, Its smarter to capture such vital information
• Treat the same as for ongoing projects
Include a separate section
for Budgeting
• Enter amounts allocated, amounts used, balance gains and/or shortfalls.
• Use standard budget format for the particular organization. Use tables, charts and figures where necessary
Discuss Future Projects
• Describe future projects in a separate section on prospects, along with anticipated developments, results and predictions.
• Include goals and objectives for the next reporting period
Discuss Recommendations & Insert Executive
Summary
• Make suggestions for improvement, expansion and/or developments• Include an executive summary to be placed before the introduction• Write this section after the entire report is completed
Conceptual
Every day Writing – Steps to Preparing a Unit /Departmental Report 2/2
34Conceptual
Writing Effective Memos
Why MemoA memo, short for the word memorandum, comes from the Latin word ‘memorandus’, which means "to be remembered”. It is a business-oriented style that is the best suited for interoffice or inter colleague correspondence. More informal in tone and organization than a letter, memos are generally used to provide or ask for information, announce a new policy, update on personnel transfers, or for any other internal issues.
Elements of an Effective MemoAn effective memo:• Grabs the reader's attention• Provides information, makes a
recommendation, or asks for action
• Supports your position or explains benefits to reader
• Mentions next steps and deadlines
There are three basic reasons to write a memo:• To persuade action• To issue a directive• To provide a report
35
Information Memo
Problem solving Memo
Persuasion Memo
Types of Memos: There are four types of memos you might have to write, each with its own organisational format
Internal Memo
• Used to deliver or request information or assistance• First paragraph provides main idea• Second paragraph expands on the details• Third paragraph outlines the action required
• Suggests a specific action to improve a situation• First paragraph states the problem• Second paragraph analyzes the problem• Third paragraph makes a recommendation• When making a recommendation, this includes not
only the positive details but also the drawbacks and diffuse them yourself
• Used to encourage the reader to undertake an action he or she doesn't have to take
• First paragraph begins with an agreeable point• Second paragraph introduces the idea• Third paragraph states benefits to the reader• Fourth paragraph outlines the action required• Fifth paragraph ends with a call to action• Used to convey suggestions to senior management• First paragraph states reason for writing• Second paragraph outlines present situation and states writer's
proposal• Third paragraph describes advantage(s)• Fourth paragraph mentions and diffuses disadvantage(s)• Fifth paragraph ends with a call to action
Conceptual
36
To: All StaffFrom: The Boss Date: June 1, 2006Re: New Memo Format Effective June 1
In order to make interoffice communications easier, please adhere to the following guidelines for writing effective memos:
Clearly state the purpose of the memo in the subject line and in the first paragraph.
Keep language professional, simple and polite.Use short sentences. Use bullets if a lot of information is conveyed. Proofread before sending.
Address the memo to the person(s) who will take action on the subject, and CC those who need to know about the action.Attach additional information: don’t place it in the body of the memo if possible.
Please put this format into practice immediately. We appreciate your assistance in developing clear communications.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me.
Thank you.
Sample Memo
Conceptual
37
Meeting Notes – Also known as ‘minutes’, these are meant to record basic information and can be used as reference for future meetings on similar topics.
They capture the essential information of a meeting – decisions and assigned actions.
Helps Answer
the following
question
s
• What we decided in the meeting• What we accomplished in the
meeting• What we agreed to in terms of
next steps (action items)
Conceptual
38
This is true because readers like to skim through for the information they need.
Therefore your template should include the following:
• Subjects • Attendees • Date and location• Key highlights • Actions agreed upon• Person responsible• Deadline
Key Point – Meeting notes must be as straight to the point as possible
CHRIST EMBASSEY ZONE 4 MEETING NOTES
Date
Subject
Location
Time
Attendees Name Position Email Address
Task Owner Deadline
Meeting Notes(Contains the discussion or deliberations of the meeting)
Key Insights(Contains the key highlight of the meeting)
Conceptual
Discussion
Emails
Email is world-wide electronic communication system in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in.
Point making/ information Email – The email itself is the point. It is used to tell the receiver something, or state a point, make a compliment or pass and information. No reply is required.
Inquiries – this is used to gain information from the receiver in the form of a reply. It could be in form of seeking an advice or asking questions. Reply is your desired outcome.
Open-Ended Dialog – this type of email helps to keep communication lines open, for the purpose of some future result or benefit.
Action Emails – This mail is to instruct the receiver to carry out certain actions as stated in the mail. The goal is not the reply, but some action on the part of the receiver.
Responding This is a mail in response to an instruction given or a report on instructions carried out. In can be used as reply to enquiry
Emails can be categorized into Formal (Work mails, client mails) and Informal emails (mails to a friend, parents, siblings) NOTE: In a work environment, communication is by the use of formal emails.
Category
Structure
Types
39Conceptual
How to Compose an Email
• Open your email box by typing in your email address and password
• Click on new as illustrated below
• Follow the guidelines as described in the picture
40Conceptual
Structure • Subject Contents: The content of an email helps the
reader know what the email is about and helps them
decide how important or urgent the email is.
• Keep the subject short and clear but avoid such
headings as:
‘Good News’, ‘Hello’, ‘Message from Mary’. These
headings are common in messages containing viruses.
Short but specific headings are needed, e.g. Delay in
sending my April Monthly Report. Permission to be
absent from training on 17-05-2012
• Subjects: This is a very vital part of an Email. Every
email should have a subject/title. Subject informs the
reader of what the email is about. Note that it is very
easy to forget to type this important information hence
special attention should be made to ensure it is written.
Structure of an Email
41Conceptual
Structure of an Email
Greetings: Start the message with a greeting so as to
help create a friendly but business-like tone. When
greeting, it is preferred and safer to use the Surname of a
person in addressing them than their first name except
you are familiar with such a person or of equal levels
e.g. Dear Pastor Izevbigie, Dear Mrs. Ododo.
Purpose: Start with a clear indication of what the message
is about in the first paragraph. Give full details in the
following paragraph(s). Make sure that the final paragraph
indicates what should happen next.
Action: Any action that you want the reader to do should
be clearly described, using polite phrases. Subordinates
should use expressions such as 'Could you...' or ' I would be
grateful if...'. Superior staff should also use polite phrases,
for example, 'Please...'.
Structure
42Conceptual
Structure
Attachments
Make sure you make reference to any attachment you are
adding in the main message and of course make sure that
you remember to include the attachment(s).
Also make sure the file name describes the content, and is
not too general; e.g. 'message.doc' is bad, but ' Cell Group
Report_ April 2012.doc' is good.
Endings
End the message in a polite way. Common endings are:
Yours sincerely, Best regards, Best wishes, Regards,
If you did not put a comma after the greeting at the
beginning of the message, then do not put a comma after
the ending.
Structure of an Email
43Conceptual
4444
Structure
Quick Tips on Writing a
Formal Email
Names: Make sure your Name is Included at the end of the
message. It is most annoying to receive an email which
does not include the name of the sender. The problem is
that often the email address of the sender does not
indicate exactly who it is from.
• Always fill in the subject line with a topic that means
something to your reader. Not "Decals" or "Important!" but
"Deadline for New Parking Decals.“
• Put your main point in the opening sentence. Most readers
won't stick around for a surprise ending
• Never begin a message with a vague work or phrase, always
specify what you're writing about. "This." ("This needs to be
done by 5:00.") What do you mean by ‘this’ ?
Structure and quick tips for Emails
Conceptual
Quick Tips on Writing a
Formal Email
• Don't use ALL CAPITALS (no shouting!), or all lower-
case letters
• As a general rule, PLZ avoid chat-room abbreviations
acronyms you may be ROFLOL (rolling on the floor
laughing out loud), but your reader may be left wondering
WUWT (what's up with that)
• Be brief and polite. If your message runs longer than two
or three short paragraphs, consider (a) reducing the
message, or (b) providing an attachment. But in any case,
don't snap, growl, or bark in your mails
• Remember to say "please", "thank you" “sorry” when
necessary and mean it.
• Add a signature block with appropriate contact
information (in most cases, your name, business address,
and phone number, along with a legal disclaimer if
required by your company
• Edit and proofread before hitting "send." sweat the small
stuff, but unfortunately your reader may think you're a
careless dolt
45Conceptual
Quick tips for Emails
Conceptual
Charts/GraphsA pictorial device, such as a pie chart or bar graph, used to illustrate quantitative relationships. Also a diagram that exhibits a relationship, often functional, between two sets of numbers as a set of points having coordinates determined by the relationship
46
Using Charts and Graphs for Your Reports
Graphs are an important part of our everyday life. It may not seem that way, but without graphs, we would be lost in heaps of data. Without even knowing it, important decisions are made daily throughout the world based on what a graph can tell us. Here are some of the main reasons why we use graphs:
• Making sense of a company’s data• Present information easily and quickly• Serious fun
Key Thoughts to Consider
The Problem of Business ReportsBusiness reporting is not always easy. Too often we can get swamped down in paper work and long, exhaustive reports that offer entirely too much information. Your business reporting does not have to end up like that. If you find yourself caught in this trap of creating long boring reports that nobody wants to read then perhaps it is time you find a new way to present your findings.
47
Difference between Charts and GraphsThere is a very little difference between these two terms both are used to embody visual and spatial elements that aid in our understanding and interpreting the information.
Using Charts and Graphs for Your Reports
Charts are usually used to represent simple two variable data, such as Bar charts or pie charts. These can also be used to refer quantities that refer complex data-dense maps.
Charts
Graph is usually referred to be used in some mathematical sense because it usually contains X, Y or Z-axis. In a graph no data is represented without using axes and sometimes it is also divided into grids for easier classification of data.
Graphs
Conceptual
48
Types of Graphs and ChartsThere are many types of graphs and charts that are commonly used for showing business reports. These are listed as below:
Using Charts and Graphs for Your Reports
Line graphs• A way of representing two pieces of information, which is usually
related and vary with respect to each other. This is useful when comparisons are needed
Pie Charts• A type of a graph normally used in showcasing a wholesome
quantity; we have to show that how this whole quantity is broken into parts.
Bar Charts
Area Graphs
Waterfall Chart
Polar Chart
• This is a type of chart, which contains labeled horizontal or vertical bars showing a piece of information and an axis
• These graphs are used to show how something changes with respect to time. An area graph shows the contribution of each data series in the form of a picture
• This contains floating vertical columns that shows the increase or decrease in an initial value through a series of intermediate steps leading to a final value.
• A Polar Chart is a circular chart in which data is displayed in terms of values and angles.
Conceptual
ExampleBelow is an example of how charts and graphs can easily display and interpret voluminous data:
Using Charts and Graphs for Your Reports
49Conceptual 49Conceptual
14%
86%
Gender distribution across the Zone
Male Female
Discussion
• The gender analysis reveals that 77% of the staff are females
• The marital status chart shows that a huge concentration of staff are single
74%
26%
Marital status distribution across the Zone
Single Married