VISUALS:

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EXPLAINING/DESCRIBING VISUALS:

Having seen how to include a visual into your work, you must remember that a visual is only an example. You still need to say what is significant about the visual in the main body of the text.

Introducing visuals:
To refer to a visual we typically use phrases such as:

• In Figure 1 above (below/on the next page) ...
• As is shown in Figure 2.2 on page _ ...
• It can be seen that ...
• It demonstrates that ...
• Of particular note in Figure _ is ...
• The chart (photograph/table) illustrates that ...

Remember also that the depth or level of description appropriate to your visual, needs to fit in with the style of your text. For example, is the work a complete description or only an overview? In either case your description of the visual will need to be either precise or a simplification respectively.

If writing a comparative report or essay which contrasts between two differing viewpoints, then you should really use two (or more) contrasting visuals to emphasise this comparison. Alternatively if the work being discussed is complex, then your visual image and its description might be a helpful analogy or simplified example.