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Using illustrations in academic communication Academic Communication for Advanced Secondary Schools

Chapter Six: Using illustrations in academic communication
Chapter Six

Using illustrations in academic

communication

FOR ONLINE READING ONLY

Introduction
Effective communication goes beyond mere words. It depends on illustrations
and other visual aids for conveying and clarifying complex ideas and enhancing
understanding. In this chapter you will learn how to identify, interpret and use
illustrations such as graphs, maps, diagrams effectively in your academic
undertakings. The competence developed in this chapter will enable you to make
an effective interpretation of illustrations and effectively use them in academic
documents.

Think

How one can use illustrations for effective communication.

Identifying simple and complex illustrations

Illustrations are visual representations meant to enhance reader’s comprehension or convey
ideas. Illustrations in academic documents can be classified into two main categories
namely: simple and complex illustrations.
Simple illustrations
They are typically used to convey straightforward concepts or ideas. These can include
diagrams, charts, graphs, or simple line drawings. They are frequently used to enhance
the text and present information directly and clearly. They can facilitate the reader’s
understanding of the main ideas and are typically simple to understand. Simple illustrations
include line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, diagrams, flowcharts. Simple illustrations
are characterised by the following features: they are clear and straightforward, they use
minimal detail and they are easily recognizable shapes and patterns.
Simple illustrations in academic documents play the following roles:
Improve reader’s comprehension: They can help readers better understand complex
information by presenting it in a more reachable and spontaneous format.
Summarize key points: When used correctly they can effectively sum up and
highlight the main points from a text and in that way make it easier for readers to
capture the essential points.

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