Interpreting Non-Prose Texts

Mrs. Salve V. Calderon

Division of Balanga City

27/12/2019 1
Non-Prose Texts

GRAPHIC
AIDS
OR
VISUALS
Humans are visual creatures.
Most of us process information
based on what we see. 65% of
us are visual learners according
to the Social Science Research
Network.
Table 5 shows the most common
modes of PC virus infection for
US businesses. As can be seen in
the majority of the cases, the
source of the virus infection can
be detected, with disks being
brought to the workplace from
home being by far the most
significant (43%). However, it is
alarming to note that the source
of nearly 30% of viruses cannot
be determined. While it may be
possible to eliminate home-to-
workplace Infection by requiring
computers to run antiviral
software on flash drives brought
from home, business are still
vulnerable to major data loss,
especially from unidentifiable
sources of infection.
1.Who is the chart about?
2.Which activity do these
people spend the least
time doing?
3.Which activity do these
people spend the most
time doing?
 Which statement is true?
𝖠. People spend more time in
caring for family members and
doing household chores than
working.

B. People spend as much

time working as doing leisure
and sports and sleeping
combined.

C. People spend less time

working than eating, drinking,
and sleeping combined.
Table 1. The 6 fastest-growing occupations, 2010-
2020 (in thousands)
1. Which occupation will grow the most
from 2010 to 2020?
Home Health Aides
2. How many physical therapist aides will
there be in 2020?
67, 000
3. What percent of job growth will there
be for carpenters from 2010 to 2020?
56%
 Which is NOT true about dental hygienists?
𝖠. In 2020, there will be 68,000
more dental hygienists than in
2010.

B. It requires an associate
degree.

C. In 2010, there were 250,000

dental hygienists.

𝖣. From 2010 to 2020, this job

will grow by 37%.
 The body of an insect
consists of three main parts: the
head, the thorax and the
abdomen. The head contains
the insect's brain, eyes and
mouth. It also carries the
antennae. The thorax is the
central part of the body. It bears
the legs and wings. There are
three pairs of legs and two pairs
of wings. The insect's abdomen
contains its digestive and
reproductive organs.
Table 1. Comparison of 8 -year old
boys and 8 -year old girls
aggressive behaviors
Table 5 shows the most common
modes of PC virus infection for US Table 1 shows that boys
businesses. As can be seen in the
majority of the cases, the source of
are more aggressive
the virus infection can be detected, than girls. The
with disks being brought to the percentage of pushing
workplace from home being by far is 21% of girl; on the
the most significant (43%). However,
it is alarming to note that the source other hand that of boys
of nearly 30% of viruses cannot be is 35%. Except for
determined. While it may be possible chasing, the
to eliminate home-to-workplace
infection by requiring computers to percentage of
run antiviral software on flash drives aggressive behavior is
brought from home, business are still higher in boys.
vulnerable to major data loss,
especially from unidentifiable
sources of infection.
Table 5 shows the most common
modes of PC virus infection for
US businesses. As can be seen in
the majority of the cases, the
source of the virus infection can
be detected, with disks being
brought to the workplace from
home being by far the most
significant (43%). However, it is
alarming to note that the source
of nearly 30% of viruses cannot
be determined. While it may be
possible to eliminate home-to-
workplace infection by requiring
computers to run antiviral
software on flash drives brought
from home, business are still
vulnerable to major data loss,
especially from unidentifiable
sources of infection.
Sample Answer:
Table 1 shows that boys are
Table 1 more aggressive than girls. The
percentage of pushing is 21% of girl;
on the other hand that of boys is
35%. Except for chasing, the
percentage of aggressive behavior
is higher in boys.
Data Commentary
• A type of writing that accompanies a visual
display.
• The main purposes of a data commentary are to
present the results of research, interpret these
results, and to discuss the significance and
implications of the results.
• The data should be presented and analyzed in
logical manner; in other words you are expected
to analyze and evaluate the data, not just
describe it.
 As shown in Figure 12-2, the flyball governor is
connected mechanically to the output shaft of a steam
engine so that the ball mechanism rotates at the speed of
the engine. If the load on the engine decreases, speed will
tend to increase which, through centrifugal action, forces the
balls outward. Through the linkage, this will proportionately
close off the steam supply to the engine. If the engine tends
to lose speed, the mechanism increases the steam supply
accordingly. Therefore, the flyball governor maintains
engine speed at a preset value without human intervention.
This invention is significant in several respects. It is remarkable
if for no other reason than it was so advanced for its time (the
1780s). Furthermore, it is a classic illustration of the elegant
solution. Finally, it is widely organized as an outstanding
example of what engineers can do without the benefit of the
theory. The mathematical theory of the behavior of this
governor did not appear until 1868.
Why write a data commentary?
• To highlight the results of research
• To discuss the implications of the data
• To compare and evaluate different data
sets
• To support a point or make an argument
• To call attention to something not directly
apparent from the table, chart, or graph.
Structure of Data Commentary
Location elements and summary statements
Direct attention to data

Highlighting statements
Present most important trends or patterns

Extension
Draw conclusion from data
Table 5 shows the most common
modes of PC virus infection for
US businesses. As can be seen in
the majority of the cases, the
source of the virus infection can
be detected, with disks being
brought to the workplace from
home being by far the most
significant (43%). However, it is
alarming to note that the source
of nearly 30% of viruses cannot
be determined. While it may be
possible to eliminate home-to-
workplace infection by requiring
computers to run antiviral
software on flash drives brought
from home, business are still
vulnerable to major data loss,
especially from unidentifiable
sources of infection.
 Location elements/summary

Figure 1 compares job seekers’ preference for doing the

six career- related activities on professional and social
networks. As presented in the bar graph, the majority of
job seekers indicate that they prefer to interact with
employers on professional networks. Highlights
Job seekers’ strong preference for professional networks
implies that their profiles on social networks may not
appear as tidy as those on professional networks. In
consequence,…
Extension
Table 5 shows the
most common
modes of PC virus
infection for US
businesses.
The most common
modes of PC virus
infection for US
businesses was
shown in Table 5.
Figure 1/The bar
chart compares job
seekers’ preference
for doing the six
career- related
activities on
professional and
social networks.
Job seekers’
preference for
doing the six
career- related
activities on
professional and
social networks
was compared in
Figure 1.
INDICATIVE SUMMARY INFORMATIVE SUMMARY

Table 5 shows the most Table 5 shows that home

common modes of computer disks are the major source of
infection for U.S business. computer viruses.
Highlighting statements
To present most important trends or patterns
As can be seen in the
majority of the cases, the
source of the virus infection
can be detected, with disks
being brought to the
workplace from home
being by far the most
significant (43%). However,
it is alarming to note that
the source of nearly 30% of
viruses cannot be
determined.
Highlighting statements
To present most important trends or patterns
As presented in the
bar graph, the
majority of job
seekers indicate
that they prefer to
interact with
employers on
professional
networks.
Highlighting statements
Highlighting statements
Highlighting statements
barely rise.
noticeable increase.
slight upward tend.
slow fluctuation.
gradual
There was a(n) steady downward trend.
(very) marked decrease.
dramatic decline.
steep reduction.
sharp fall.
rapid drop.
sudden
Highlighting statements

rise
increase

There was decrease

decline of ...
a(n)
reduction
fall
drop
Extension

While it may be possible

to eliminate home-to-
workplace infection by
requiring computers to run
antiviral software on flash
drives brought from
home, business are still
vulnerable to major data
loss, especially from
unidentifiable sources of
infection.
Extension

Job seekers’ strong

preference for
professional
networks implies
that their profiles on
social networks may
not appear as tidy
as those on
professional
networks.
Source:
Maeve O'Connor's
Writing Successfully
in Science. (1991).
Chapman and Hall.
Chapter 4 on
Preparing Effective
Figures (pages 31-54)
provides a very
good discussion of
effective data
presentation & is well
illustrated with good
& bad examples.
Leech
 A basic data commentary in a results & discussion section
FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A
COMPARISON OF ACHIEVEMENT
Figure 7.2 displays the mean percentile scores on the four
subtests for non-immersion and immersion French students.
Students in the French immersion programs performed
significantly better than their non-immersion peers on all four
Modern language Association tests by more than two to one in
terms of scores attained on each of the subtests. For example in
the listening subtest, immersion students scored at the 80th
percentile, while non-immersion students scored at the 14th
percentile. Clearly, the findings indicate that the amount of
exposure to a foreign language has a positive effect on student
performance. It appears that the intensity of immersion
program (an average of 75% of total instruction per week in
French compared to approximately 10% for non-immersion)
and the use of the foreign language to study basic subjects
results in substantial differences in performances in all four skill
area of the MLA test.
Location element and summary
[LOCATION OF RESULTS ] Figure 7.2 displays
the mean percentile scores on the four
subtests for non-immersion and immersion
French students.
Highlighting Statements
[MOST IMPORTANT FINDINGS] Students in
the French immersion programs
performed significantly better than their
non-immersion peers on all four Modern
language Association tests by more than
two to one in terms of scores attained on
each of the subtests. For example in the
listening subtest, immersion students
scored at the 80th percentile, while non-
immersion students scored at the 14th
percentile.
Extension
[COMMENTS] Clearly, the findings indicate
that the amount of exposure to a foreign
language has a positive effect on student
performance. It appears that the intensity of
immersion program (an average of 75% of
total instruction per week in French
compared to approximately 10% for non-
immersion) and the use of the foreign
language to study basic subjects results in
substantial differences in performances in all
four skill area of the MLA test.
Ooopppss!!!

It’s time for you to improve this previous

example .
 Sample Answer:
Table 1 shows that boys
Table 1. Comparison of 8 -
are more aggressive than girls.
year old boys and 8 -year old
girls aggressive behaviors
The percentage of pushing is
21% of girl; on the other hand
that of boys is 35%. Except for
chasing, the percentage of
aggressive behavior is higher in
boys.
Data Commentary1
Table 1 shows that the average 8-year old boys
were more aggressive than the 8-year old girls.
Sixty-one percent (61%) of the boys liked to kick
and hit compared to fifteen percent (15%) of the
girls. Chasing was the one behavior that was
more pronounced for the girls which is
remarkably far different compared to boys from
(78%) to (1%). Results suggest that parents should
be more attentive in guiding 8-year old boys to
prevent them from involving into physical
violence while playing.
 In order to investigate the hypothesis that 8-year old boys
are more aggressive than 8-year old girls, 8-year old children were
observed playing in schoolyards and incidents of certain
aggressive behaviors were recorded.

Table 1. Comparison of 8 -year old boys and 8 -year

old girls aggressive behaviors
Data Commentary 2
In order to investigate the hypothesis that 8-year
old boys are more aggressive than 8-year-old
girls, 8-year old children were observed playing in
school yards and incidents of certain aggressive
behaviors were recorded. Table 1 shows that the
average 8-year old boys were more aggressive
than the 8-year old girls. Sixty-one percent (61%)
of the boys like to kick and hit compared to
fifteen percent (15%) of the girls. Chasing was the
one behavior that was more pronounced for the
girls which is remarkably far different compared
to boys from (78%) to (1%). This result, however,
does not disprove the theory since chasing
seems to be a less aggressive behavior than the
other behaviors that were tested.
Data Commentary 3
The table displays that kicking/hitting is the
most obvious aggressive behavior with 61%
compared to the 15% of that of the girls with a
marked difference of 46%. Pushing is another
behavior where boys percentage (35%) is
higher than girls (21%). The third behavior
where the boys recorded to have a higher
percentage is cursing, with a discrepancy of
21%. The only recorded behavior where the
percentage is higher for the girls is chasing.
This also shows the biggest discrepancy of
all (77%) where girls percentage is at 78%
and boys percentage is at 1%. At first
glance, it appears that 8-year old boys are
more aggressive than 8-year old girls.
However, one also must take into
consideration that only four behaviors were
observed and recorded out of many
possible ways a child may show aggression.
Further study needs to be conducted to
prove the veracity of the result.
Data Commentary 4
Table 1 displays the comparison of the aggressive
behavior between 8-year old boys and 8-year old girls.
From the percentages of boys and girls’ aggressive
behavior in the table, it is noticeable that boys are more
aggressive than the girls. The percentage of pushing is
21% of girls, on the other hand that of the boys is 35%.
Boys also marked the higher percentage in
kicking/hitting (61%) and cursing (30%) compared to girls
15% and 19% respectively. However, boys were barely
engaged in chasing with 1% compared to the 78% of
that of the girls. The results prove that boys are more
aggressive than girls. Thus, parents should be more
attentive in guiding 8-year old boys to prevent them
from involving into physical violence while playing.
Research Insight
The textual presentation should
supplement or expand the contents of
tables and charts rather than duplicate
them.
(Saavedra 1997)
Writing a Data Commentary
1. The topic sentence should include the title
of the visual, its kind and what it presents.

2. Highlight the results by spotting trends or

regularities in the data, separating the more
important findings from less important ones,
and making claims of appropriate strength.
Writing a Data Commentary

3. Assess standard theory, common beliefs,

or general practice in light of the data.

4. Generate conclusions from the details of

the visual.
In particular, writing data commentary
is an opportunity to demonstrate:
• that you can spot trends or regularities in
the data,

• that you can separate more important

findings from less important ones, and

• that you can make claims of appropriate

strength
So do not…
• simply repeat all the details in words,

• attempt to cover all the information, or

• claim more than is reasonable or

defensible.
Guide Questions in Writing a Data
Commentary:
1. What is presented in the non-
prose form? What is the title of
the non-prose form?
2. Where was the data taken from?
3. What are the trends/patterns
found in the data?
Guide Questions in Writing a Data
Commentary:
4. What are possible explanations
for these trends/patterns?
5. What are the implications of the
data?
6. What conclusions can be arrived
at from the data?
 Let’s Try!
In order to investigate the hypothesis that the
unprecedented increase in the demand for guns was
partially driven by fears of a future Obama gun-control policy
an empirical study was conducted.

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

In order to investigate the hypothesis that the unprecedented increase in the demand for guns was partially
driven by fears of a future Obama gun-control policy an empirical study was conducted.
Data Commentary 1
Figure 1 entitled Proportion of Households with
Handguns, shows the percentages of
American homes that owned at least one
handgun from 1973 to 2012. This percentage
remained relatively constant from 1998-2006
ranging from 20% to 21%. In 2008, the
percentage of households owning handguns
increased dramatically to just over 26%. This
was the first time since 1994 that over one quarter
of United States homes owned non-hunting
related guns (Alpers, Rosetti, & Salinas, 2015).
Results suggest existence of a large Obama
effect on the demand for guns.
Data Commentary 2
Figure 1 shows the proportion of
households with handguns indicating the
percentage of demands in the span of 39
years from 1973 to 2012. As can be seen
in the figure, there was a sudden
increased in the demand for guns in year
2008 (26.2%) from (20%) of 1998. Results
are consistent with fear of future Obama
gun-control policy as underlying
mechanisms.
GET READY!
 Practice 1
Identify the function of each numbered sentence.

(1) Figure 2 shows the survey results of companies

preferred recruiting methods.(2) As can be seen, while
the traditional way of recruiting through direct referrals is
still the most preferred method, there has been a surge in
the use of web- based recruiting methods. (3) The results
suggest that a traditional resume seems still the best way
to represent one’s professional accomplishments. (4)
Also implied in the data is that it would be important for
job seekers to maintain a clean online profile since
technology, including social media, may play an even
more significant role in the future in professional
networking.
 Practice 2
Complete the location and summary with the most
appropriate reporting verbs.
illustrates displays

Table 3 _______the most common

sources of respiratory infections.

The diagram _________the Four

Act structure of story telling
(Dillingham 2001, with
transformation, Ohler, 2003)
 Practice 3
Write True (T) if the statement about data
commentary is correct or False (F) if not.

Data commentary is the writing that

accompanies a visual display of data.
Data commentary should address every
detail of the data.
Data commentary usually begins with
location elements/summary.
One purpose of data commentary is to
discuss the implications of data.
WRITING PRACTICE
 The level and timeliness of salary
payments can be an important factor in
motivating teachers, which in turn can affect
levels of student learning. The PETS-QSDS study
did not formally track teachers’ salaries but did
ask a nationally representative sample of
teachers some questions about the adequacy
of their salary payments and whether they
received their salaries on time and in full.

PETS-QSDS-Public Expenditure Tracking and Quantitative Service Delivery Study

Figure 10. Cross Country Comparison of Elementary Teacher Salary
Figure 10. Cross Country Comparison of Elementary Teacher Salary
Figure 10 shows the cross-country
comparisons of elementary school teacher
salaries as a percentage of per capita GDP,
2010. As can be seen, the figure indicates
that teachers in the Philippines are relatively
well paid but their salary scale is more
compressed. Comparable information on
other East Asian countries shows that the
starting salary of teachers in the Philippines
is relatively high.
For example, the average earnings of a newly
hired elementary school teacher in the
Philippines is equivalent to 150 percent of per
capita GDP compared with only around 50
percent in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
However, earnings do not increase very
quickly after teachers are hired. After 15 years,
salaries increase by only 15 percent in the
Philippines, which is low compared to other
countries. These relatively small salary
increases over the course of a teacher’s
career are unlikely to motivate them
significantly.
References
• www.academia.edu/6696358/Structure_of_Data_Com
mentary
• http://stat.cmu.edu/~brian/701/notes/paper-
structure.pdf
• https://www.slideshare.net/31mikaella/presentation-
analysis-and-interpretation-of-data
• http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/35171146
8567066113/pdf/106950-REVISED-PH-PETS-QSDS-Note-
3.pdf