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Learn when to introduce maps, charts or graphs into your writing.

In this article you can find out:

• How to use a map in your writing
• How to use different types of graphs and charts
• What a key, scale and axes are

This resource is suitable for informative writing for P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 (First and Second Level Curriculum for Excellence).

Watch this video to learn how to use maps, charts and graphs in writing.

Graphs, charts and maps are very useful for presenting complicated information in a visual way that is easier to understand.

Imagine that we are putting together some details for the live online programme about the Monster Games.

Map

If we are writing about an event, like the Monster Games, we need to think about where all the different events are taking place. This is a lot of information in a list so we can use a map instead.

• A map is a two-dimensional drawing of an area.
• Maps can be on paper or on a mobile phone, tablet or computer.
• Maps are not drawn to the same size as the ground because they would be far too big! Instead they are drawn to a smaller scale. When we use a scale, we can see how far away everything is.

Bar graph

We can see information much more clearly using a bar graph:

• what you have counted along the bottom (the x-axis) and numbers up the left (the y-axis)
• the number of each thing is shown by a bar
• the height of the each bar shows how many of each thing there are

Pie chart

A pie chart is a good way to show information clearly. It shows a total number as a circle:

• the circle is divided into different slices for different things
• each section of the pie chart represents a portion of the total number
• the bigger the slice the bigger the number of things (quantity)

Remember, always give the chart a title.

• complicated – Something made up of many different parts. For example: 'The recipe was too complicated so I choose an easier one.'
• key – A large spoon with a cup-shaped bowl. For example: 'A map key lists the symbols and what they mean.'
• scale – Maps are not drawn to the same size as the ground because they would be far too big! Instead they are drawn to a smaller scale. For example: 'A scale on a map will help work out the distance on the land.'
• axis – The lines used to measure data on graphs and grids. For example: 'We measured the number of people on the axes of the graph.'
• represent – When something or someone is used on behalf of or in place of something else. For example: 'The pupil was delighted to represent the school at the gala opening.'
• portion – A part of a whole thing. For example: 'David was disappointed when he only got a small portion of his favourite pizza.'
• quantity – The amount of something. For example: 'We were able to save some money when we bought a large quantity of bananas instead of only one.'

Make a survey then represent your results with a graph

• Survey your friends and/or family to find out what their favourite fruit or chocolate bar is.
• When you have the results, make a graph or pie chart to show the information visually.
• You should be able to see the most popular fruit or chocolate and the least popular.