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| Infographics |
Infographics
a. Definition of Infographics
Infographic is a combination of the words “information” and “graphics”. Merriam-Webster defines infographics as “a chart, diagram, or illustration (as in a book or magazine, or on a website) that uses graphic elements to present information in a visually striking way”.
b. Social/Language Function of Infographics
The followings are some major types and functions of infographics.
1) Statistical Infographics
This type of infographics allows you to visualize survey results, present data from some sources, argue some issues with relevant data, and etc. It focuses on your data and the layout and visuals support you tell the story behind your data. You may include 90 charts, icons, images, and interesting fonts. You can see the following example of a statistical infographic using a combination of bold fonts and colorful icons to draw attention to each statistic.
2) Informational Infographics
If you want to inform a concept or to give an overview of a topic, this type of infographic is appropriate to use. Commonly it is divided into sections containing descriptive headers. The flow of your infographic will be clearly seen when you add numbering in each section. However, you do not have to follow a chronological order. If there is only a collection of facts, you might choose a 91 circular design.
3) Timeline Infographics
This type of infographic functions to visualize the history of something, to highlight important dates, or to give an overview of an event. This infographic supports people to create a clearer figure of a timeframe. Visual aids such as lines, photos, and labels all support explaining points in time.
4) Process Infographics
This type of infographic is suitable for providing a summary or overview of the steps in a process. You can simplify and clarify each step in process infographics. Mostly, it depicts a straightforward top-to-bottom or left-to-right flow. You can put numbering to make your process easy to follow.
5) Geographic Infographics
You can visualize location-based data or demographic data through this type of infographic. The focus visual in geographic infographics is the map charts and different types of them work better for different types of data.
6) Comparison Infographics
You can use this type of infographic to compare options in an unbiased way or to make one option seem better. Commonly, comparison infographics are divided in the middle vertically or horizontally with one option on each side. To emphasize the option 95 you want readers to pick, you can use a more interesting color on it.
7) Hierarchical Infographics
This type of infographic arrange information from greatest to least. The following is an example of a hierarchical infographic of the pyramid visualizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At the base of 96 the pyramid is the most important needs, ascending to the top is the least.
8) List Infographics
You can use this type of infographic to share a collection of tips, or a list of resources, or a list of examples. Generally, it is straightforward. Again, numbering and interesting icons can make the information flow and stand out.
c. Generic Structure of Infographics
The followings are the structure of an infographic.
1) Headline/Title
Your headline should tell about the whole gist of your infographic. It is better for you to make it short yet interesting.
2) Beginning/Introduction
This part contains sentences describing your infographic. Your introduction should grasp your reader’s attention.
3) Middle/Main Infographic Content
This is the main focus of your infographic. Here, the main idea of your message is broken down into smaller sections by using subtopics, subheadings, supporting sentences, and data visual elements.
4) End/Conclusion
You summarize and reinforce your argument in this part. You can write what you want your readers to do.
5) Sources and Footnotes
Do not forget to cite your sources if you are using sources apart from your own, for finding relevant data for example.
Adding to the generic structure of graphic organizers mentioned above, the followings are some social functions for using graphic organizers:
1) Tools for critical and creative thinking Graphic organizers assist learners concentrate on what’s significant because they highlight key concepts and vocabulary, and their interactions. Thus, they offer the tools for critical and creative thinking.
2) Tools for organizing information Graphic organizers are network-like visual representations that enable learners to add or alter their background knowledge be seeing the links and contradictions between existing knowledge and fresh information.
3) Tools for understanding information and relationships Graphic organizers serve as mental instruments for helping learners comprehend and maintain significant information and relationships.
4) Tools for depicting knowledge and understanding Graphic organizers provide an optional way to depict knowledge and comprehension, so it is especially useful for learners who find it difficult to express relationships in written language between certain components.
5) Tools for self-learning Learners who use graphic organizers are able to develop autonomous learning like note taking, planning, presentation, etc. In other words, graphic organizers are beneficial to learners’ learning inside and beyond classrooms.
Additionally, the followings are some common types of graphic organizers which bring certain social function more specifically. Viewed from the pattern of text structures, there are 5 types of graphic organizers:
1) Description
The author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, and examples.
a) Signal Words
- for example
- for instance
- specifically
- characteristics are
- such as
- looks like
- in addition
b) Summary Frame Questions
- What specific person, place, thing, event, or concept is being described?
- What are the most important attributes or characteristics?
2) Sequence
The author lists items in numerical or chronological order.
a) Signal Words
- first, second, third
- next
- then
- finally
b) Summary Frame Questions
- What sequence of events is being described?
- What are the major incidents that occur?
- How is the sequence or cycle revealed in the text?
3) Compare and Contrast
The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different.
a) Signal Words
- alike
- same as
- both
- either-or
- by contrast
- different
- in contrast
- on the other hand
- however
b) Summary Frame Questions
- What items are being compared?
- What characteristics of items form the basis of the comparison?
- What characteristics do they have in common; how are these items alike?
- In what way are these items different?
4) Cause and Effect
The author lists one or more causes and the resulting effects.
a) Signal Words
- because
- caused by
- if … then
- influenced by
- reasons for
- reasons why
- as a result
- therefore
- finally
- leads to
- effects of
- result
- outcome
- impact
b) Summary Frame Questions
- What specific event(s) occurred? What happened?
- What was the cause(s) of the event?
- In what ways did prior event(s) cause of influence the main event?
- What was the effect(s) of the event?
5) Problem and Solution
The author states one or more problems and lists one or more solutions for the problem.
a) Signal Words
- problem is
- dilemma is
- because
- since
- puzzle is
- solved
- answer
- this led to
c) Summary Frame Questions
- What is the problem(s)?
- Why does this become problem?
- What is the possible solution(s)?
● According to the text, what solution has the best chance for succeeding? Regarding the basic forms of graphic organizers depicted before, the followings are examples of the use of the 5 types of graphic organizers explained above.
d. Language Features of Infographics
Some language features that you can follow to make a good infographics are as follow:
1. Informative
You need to be informative, accurate, and revealing the message. You need to make sure that through your infographics, you can add values that a text alone cannot communicate. In general, your aim is to bring clarity and understanding where there is complexity and confusion.
2. Engaging
Use the language that invites people to explore the information and help them find relevance and context. Stimulate them so that they will want to spend time reading your infographics.
3. Accessible
You need to communicate to the readers with the clearest language and the simplest techniques.