Text types: Text formats for presenting information

Charts & diagrams

Using charts and diagrams

Charts and diagrams represent information in a visual way instead of using words (although charts and diagrams can also include words). Even with young children it is possible to use simple diagrams to help them with their reading and writing.

We often use diagrams when we want to simplify something. A photograph, for example might be lifelike, but it might be too detailed for our purposes. A diagram could be used instead to focus only on the important features of an object:

Diagrams such as this are very useful for language teaching. Teachers can quickly draw them on the board to stimulate discussion or to explain a point.

As well as lifelike diagrams, we find more abstract diagrams such as symbols:

One way of grouping diagrams is in terms of whether they represent a sequence or a concept.

Sequence diagrams

We can use diagrams to represent various types of sequences:

	timeline
	storyline
	steps in a procedure
	explanation
	argument

Concept diagrams

We use concept diagrams to describe how something looks or is organised in a spatial sense:

	description
	part-whole
	'types of ...'
	compare / contrast

These types of diagrams can be useful in teaching the various text types.

For PrimeTeach teaching activities involving charts and diagrams see:

Finding out about fire engines
Furniture and home
The sun and the planets