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ENGL 219
PROF. YASSER AHMED GOMAA| ENGL 219
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Writing Effective
Data Commentary
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Objectives
By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
1. Understand the purpose and structure of data commentary
in academic and technical writing.
2. Develop skills to analyze and interpret figures, graphs, and
tables effectively.
3. Write clear, concise, and insightful comments about data
presented in visual formats.
4. Practice adding captions to figures and linking them to
meaningful commentary.
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1. What is Data Commentary?
Definition:
Data commentary is the process of explaining, interpreting,
and analyzing data presented in tables, graphs, or figures.
Purpose:
o To highlight the most significant trends or findings.
o To provide context for the data.
o To explain the implications or relevance of the data in
relation to the topic or research question.
2. Components of Data Commentary 5
A. Introduction of the Data:
o Introduce the figure, table, or graph briefly.
o Include a caption that identifies what the figure represents.
Example: "Figure 1 shows the distribution of STEM jobs in
the U.S. workforce in 2023."
o STEM jobs refer to occupations in fields related to Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These jobs
typically involve skills in analytical thinking, problem-
solving, and technical expertise, and they play a crucial role
in innovation and economic development.
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2. Components of Data Commentary
B. Key Observations:
o Identify and describe the most significant trends,
patterns, or outliers.
o Use precise language to describe relationships.
Example: "The figure illustrates that computer
occupations represent the largest share, accounting for
over 50% of all STEM roles."
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2. Components of Data Commentary
C. Interpretation and Implications:
o Explain what the data means and why it is important.
o Relate the data to the broader context or research
question.
Example: "This dominance underscores the growing
demand for technology-related skills in the STEM
workforce."
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2. Components of Data Commentary
D. Qualifying Statements:
o Acknowledge any limitations, gaps, or anomalies in the
data.
Example: "However, the data does not account for the
rapid rise in emerging STEM fields such as renewable
energy engineering."
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3. Writing Style for Data Commentary
Be objective: Avoid inserting opinions unless interpreting
the data.
Use precise vocabulary:
o Terms like increase, decrease, stable, peak, majority,
minority, significantly, slightly.
Maintain conciseness: Focus on the most relevant points.
Incorporate transition words:
o Examples: However, therefore, as shown in, according to,
in contrast to.
4. Practical Example
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A bar graph showing the percentage distribution of STEM jobs across
different fields (Computer Occupations, Engineering, Physical Sciences,
Life Sciences, Mathematics).
Caption: 11
Figure 1: Distribution of STEM occupations in the U.S. workforce, 2023.
Commentary:
As shown in Figure 1, computer occupations dominate the STEM
workforce, constituting 55% of all roles. This is followed by engineering
positions at 25%. Physical sciences, life sciences, and mathematics
each make up less than 10%. The data highlights a significant
concentration of STEM opportunities in technology-related fields, likely
reflecting the digital transformation of the global economy. However,
the underrepresentation of mathematics-based roles may indicate a
gap in utilizing mathematical expertise within applied STEM industries.
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5. Common Mistakes in Data Commentary
1. Overloading with Details:
o Avoid describing every data point. Focus on key trends or
outliers.
2. Ignoring the Context:
o Always relate the data back to the main discussion or research
topic.
3. Failing to Interpret:
o Don’t just describe the data; explain its significance.
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5. Common Mistakes in Data Commentary
1. Overloading with Details:
o Avoid describing every data point. Focus on key trends or
outliers.
2. Ignoring the Context:
o Always relate the data back to the main discussion or research
topic.
3. Failing to Interpret:
o Don’t just describe the data; explain its significance.
Assignment
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Below is a figure showing the average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures for
two Australian cities in the year 2018.. Write a caption and a short commentary based on the
figure.
Instructions:
1. Add an appropriate caption.
2. Write a 200-to-300-word commentary addressing the main trends, interpreting the data, and
providing context.
