Choosing Best Sentence for Diagram: 5 Tips

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Ever find yourself staring at a diagram, trying to figure out which sentence best completes it? You're not alone. Diagrams are a common tool used in various fields—from academic studies to business presentations—to present complex data in a simple, visual way. But sometimes, interpreting these diagrams can be a bit tricky. Fear not, with these five easy tips you'll be choosing the best sentence to complete any diagram like a pro.

1. Identify the Diagram Type

Before you can choose a sentence that best completes a diagram, you first need to understand what kind of diagram you're dealing with. Different diagrams present information differently and understanding their unique characteristics can guide you in identifying the best sentence.

Pie Charts

Pie charts are like a pizza, they're circular and divided into slices. Each slice represents a percentage of the whole. When you're looking at a pie chart, the sentence that best completes the diagram will likely discuss proportions or percentages. For example, if you see a pie chart about favorite ice cream flavors, the sentence might be something like "Vanilla makes up 35% of the preferred flavors."

Bar Graphs

Bar graphs are pretty straightforward—they use either horizontal or vertical bars to show comparisons between categories of data. So, if you're faced with a bar graph, look for a sentence that talks about comparisons or differences. Using our ice cream example, a fitting sentence might be "More people prefer vanilla to chocolate."

Line Graphs

Line graphs are all about showing changes over time. They use points connected by lines to represent data. Therefore, the sentence that best completes a line graph will usually mention a trend or change over time. For instance, "The popularity of vanilla ice cream has steadily increased over the past five years."

Flow Charts

Flow charts are a bit unique—they show a process or sequence of events. So, with a flow chart, you're looking for a sentence that describes a process or sequence. A matching sentence might be "The ice cream production process starts with milk and ends with packaging."

Knowing the type of diagram you're dealing with is a strong first step in determining which sentence best completes the diagram. But it's just the start—we've got more tips to help you master diagram interpretation, so keep reading!

2. Analyze the Diagram Elements

Once you've identified the type of diagram, it's time to take a closer look at its elements. Just like a detective analyzes evidence at a crime scene, you need to analyze the diagram's components. They all hold clues to which sentence best completes the diagram.

Labels and Titles

Labels and titles are like the name tags of a diagram. They give you direct information about what the diagram is showing. A diagram about ice cream sales, for instance, might have labels like "Vanilla," "Chocolate," and "Strawberry." The title might be "Ice Cream Sales in 2020". The sentence that best completes the diagram will likely mention these labels and titles, so pay close attention to them.

Symbols and Notations

Symbols and notations are like the secret language of diagrams. They can represent different categories, variables, or values. For example, a line graph might use different colored lines to represent different years. Or a bar graph might use different patterns to show sales in different regions. Understanding these symbols and notations will help you choose the right sentence. So, if a diagram uses a red line to represent sales in 2020 and a blue line for 2021, the sentence might state something like "Ice cream sales in 2021, represented by the blue line, were higher than in 2020."

Color Coding

Color coding can be a big help in understanding diagrams. It's often used to differentiate between different categories or variables. For instance, a pie chart might use different colors for different flavors of ice cream. If you see a large pink slice, and pink represents strawberry flavor, then the sentence might say, "Strawberry is the most preferred flavor."

By analyzing these diagram elements, you'll have a much better understanding of what the diagram is showing. But don't stop there—there's more you can do to figure out which sentence best completes the diagram.

3. Connect Visual Clues to the Text

Next up on our diagram adventure is connecting the visual elements of the diagram to the text. This step can often feel like putting together a puzzle — connecting the pieces to see a clear picture. It's all about linking what you see in the diagram to what is said in the text. Here's how you can do that.

Cross-Reference Information

Think of cross-referencing as a game of 'spot the match'. You're looking for matching information between the text and the diagram. For example, if the text mentions a significant increase in chocolate ice cream sales in 2021, look for this in the diagram. Is there a bar or line that shows a sharp increase for chocolate in 2021? If so, you're on the right track to finding the sentence that best completes the diagram.

Use Context Clues

Context clues are like your secret weapon. They can give you hints about the meaning of the diagram or the appropriate sentence to complete it. For instance, if the text discusses an overall growth in ice cream sales, but the diagram shows a decline for vanilla, the sentence may highlight this contrast. It could be something like, "Despite the overall growth in ice cream sales, vanilla sales have decreased."

By connecting the visual clues to the text, you're building a bridge between what you see and what you read. This bridge can lead you straight to the sentence that best completes the diagram. But practice makes perfect, right? Let's move on to the next step.

4. Practice with Sample Diagrams

Just like learning to ride a bike or baking the perfect chocolate chip cookies, getting good at choosing the sentence that best completes the diagram takes practice. Don't worry, you don't need a fancy lab or expensive software to do this. Let's explore how you can get that practice done.

Use Online Resources

There are tons of free online resources that provide sample diagrams along with practice questions. Websites like Khan Academy or IXL have sections dedicated to diagrams. They often provide instant feedback, which can help you understand where you went wrong, if at all. So, go ahead and give them a shot!

Try Textbook Exercises

Remember those dusty old textbooks from your school library? They are goldmines for diagram practice. Textbooks often have a variety of diagrams with exercises that ask you to find the sentence that best completes the diagram. Plus, they usually come with answer keys—just don't peek too soon!

Challenge Yourself with Complex Diagrams

Once you're comfortable with simple diagrams, it's time to level up. Try to find more complex diagrams with multiple elements. These could be in advanced textbooks, scientific journals, or even business reports. Remember, the goal is to find the sentence that best completes the diagram, no matter how complex it may be!

By continually practicing with sample diagrams, you're not just improving your ability to choose the right sentence, but also sharpening your analytical skills. Now, what's left after practice? Let's move on to the final step.

5. Review and Reflect

So, you've spent some quality time with diagrams and have now answered a bunch of questions about which sentence best completes the diagram. It's time to take a step back and ask yourself: how did it go? Let's figure out how to make the most of your practice sessions.

Check Your Answers

After each practice session, take the time to check your answers. Did you get the sentence that best completes the diagram right? If not, try to understand why. This step is about learning from your mistakes and successes alike, so don't rush it.

Understand Your Mistakes

It's not enough to know that you made a mistake—you need to understand why. Did you misinterpret the diagram? Or did you overlook a key detail in the sentence? Pinpointing your errors will help you avoid them in the future. Remember, there's no shame in stumbling; it's all part of the learning process.

Apply Feedback

Whether it's from an online platform, a textbook, or your own self-check, feedback is a powerful tool for improvement. Apply the feedback you receive to your future practice. You'll find that with time, choosing the sentence that best completes the diagram will become second nature to you.

Reviewing and reflecting on your practice sessions are as important as the practice itself. It allows you to track your progress, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and make informed decisions about your future practice. After all, learning is a journey, not a destination. So, wear your thinking cap, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to conquer the world of diagrams!

If you're eager to learn more about creating effective diagrams, don't miss the workshop 'Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes' by Juliet Schreckinger. This workshop will provide you with expert techniques and tips on how to compose compelling illustrations using basic shapes, which can help you choose the best sentences for your diagrams.