Visual Literacy Reading Charts and Graphs for Synthesis

Visual Literacy: Reading Charts and Graphs for Synthesis

Quick Thoughts… l l When you see a chart or graph, what do you normally do? How do you interpret it? For what specific details do you look? What do you do with that information?

The Synthesis Question l Will give you 5 sources l l l The majority will be text 1 -2 will be a picture 1 -2 may be a chart or graph l If you aren’t comfortable reading charts or graphs, what happens?

From the College Board: l “The integration of visual rhetoric into a written response expands the argument, rather than merely affirming it. ” l l l Redefine Explore the complexity of the issue Raise additional, related issues

Pictures, Political Cartoons, etc. l We’ve discussed how to read these visual texts l l l From whose perspective? What’s the argument? Layout choices? Subject choices? ?

Questions to ask when you see a chart or graph l l l l What patterns or relationships can you find? What conclusions can you draw? Are there any “oddballs”? (Numbers/stats that vary drastically from the others? ) Why? What factors contribute to these numbers/concepts? Compare/contrast How does information in this visual relate to themes in other visuals? What are the effects of the information?

What to do: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read the title Look for “Totals” column Read key/axes/descriptors Estimate numbers--hundreds? Thousands? Millions? Get this number right! Read footnotes--you’ll find important information here

Activity: l l In your group, analyze the chart or graph you’re given Develop a strategy to share with the class: l l l What is the first, second, third thing you would do? What questions would you ask? What subject might the prompt discuss?