Table 1.1 shows social media usage in minutes for April 2018 and April 2019 according to socialworld.com. As shown, social media usage increased dramatically between the two time periods. Snapchat saw the fastest growth at 219% while Twitter and Facebook also saw considerable increases of 210% and 177%, respectively. The amount of time people spent using all four social media apps represented in the table grew between 2018 and 2019.

1. Tables
Tables
Using
Using
In Technical Writing
In Technical Writing

2. Outcomes
Recognize the benefits of
using table in technical
writing

3. Outcomes
Identify the two main
types of table

4. Outcomes
Write a paragraph
describing a table

5. Benefits of
Tables
Benefits of
Tables
1
1

6. Tables are a powerful way of
showing textual information
such as specifications or
comparisons.

7. The main advantage of tables
is that they can be used for
any data.

8. There are two basic types of table:
Numerical
quantitative
Prose
qualitative

9. Guidelines
Guidelines
2
2

10. Tables should be designed with
your audience in mind so use
the right amount of detail.

11. Any table you use should be
simple to read so don’t put too
much information in it.

12. Any table you use should be
simple to read so don’t put too
much information in it.
limit it to 2-3 comparisons

13. Any table you use should be
simple to read so don’t put too
much information in it.
use multiple tables if needed

14. Line up data clearly

15. Line up data clearly
use neat columns and rows

16. Line up data clearly
give plenty of space

17. Keep the information
brief

18. Keep the information
brief
limit the amount of words

19. Keep the information
brief
abbreviate numbers

20. Give a brief but
descriptive title

21. Give a brief but
descriptive title
say exactly what’s being
compared

22. How to Describe
a Table
How to Describe
a Table
3
3

23. The role of the table is to
present all of the data.

24. Table 1.1 - Social Media Usage (in
Minutes), April 2018 and April 2019
“
“
Platform April 2018 April 2019 Growth
Twitter 13.7m 28.9m 210%
Facebook 7.3m 12.9m 177%
What’s App 5.3m 9.2m 175%
Snapchat 4.2m 9.4m 219%
Source: socialworld.com

25. So when you describe it, you
only have to summarize the
important points.

26. Introduction
Introduction

27. introduce the
table by refer to it by
its number

28. Then stating
what it is about

29. include any qualifying
information

30. include any qualifying
information
dates, places etc.

31. be sure to mention
your source

32. make sure to use the
present tense

33. Table 1.1
Name Verb
shows
illustrates
depicts
Description
social media usage (in
minutes) for April 2018
and April 2019 according
to socialworld.com

34. Table 1.1 shows social media
usage (in minutes) for April
2018 and April 2019 according
to socialworld.com.
“
“

35. Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence

36. mention any trends
that appear in the data

37. mention any trends
that appear in the data
you can mention
more than one

38. don’t mention any
specific information

39. start with a good
introductory expression

40. “overall”

41. “overall”
“as shown”

42. “overall”
“as shown”
“as we can see”

43. As shown, social media usage
increased dramatically
between April 2018 and April
2019.
“
“

44. Intro vs. Topic
Intro vs. Topic

45. The introductory
sentence should say
what the table is about

46. Table 1.1 - Social Media Usage (in
Minutes), April 2018 and April 2019
“
“
Platform April 2018 April 2019 Growth
Twitter 13,735,698 28,872,640 210%
Facebook 7,254,645 12,845,364 177%
What’s App 5,265,789 9,255,784 175%
Snapchat 4,258,974 9,365,247 219%
Source: socialworld.com

47. Table 1.1 shows social media
usage (in minutes) for April
2018 and April 2019 according
to socialworld.com.
“
“

48. The topic sentence
should say what the
table shows us

49. Table 1.1 - Social Media Usage (in
Minutes), April 2018 and April 2019
“
“
Platform April 2018 April 2019 Growth
Twitter 13,735,698 28,872,640 210%
Facebook 7,254,645 12,845,364 177%
What’s App 5,265,789 9,255,784 175%
Snapchat 4,258,974 9,365,247 219%
Source: socialworld.com

50. Table 1.1 - Social Media Usage (in
Minutes), April 2018 and April 2019
“
“
Platform April 2018 April 2019 Growth
Twitter 13.7m 28.9m 210%
Facebook 7.3m 12.9m 177%
What’s App 5.3m 9.2m 175%
Snapchat 4.2m 9.4m 219%
Source: socialworld.com

51. As shown, social media usage
increased dramatically
between April 2018 and April
2019.
“
“

52. Discussion
Discussion

53. follow the topic
sentence with
supporting sentences

54. give 2-3 examples that
prove the trend

55. use specific
information

56. Snapchat was the fastest
growing, increasing by 219
per cent. This was closely
followed by Twitter which
grew by 210 per cent.
“
“

57. Group di
ff
erent items
together to make your
paragraph easier to read

58. Facebook and What’s App also
grew considerably, with usage
increasing by 177 per cent and
175 per cent, respectively.
“
“

59. Conclusion
Conclusion

60. Finish with a concluding
sentence that restates the
main point

61. repeat the main trend or
identify a second one

62. but use di
ff
erent
language

63. As shown, social media usage
increased dramatically
between April 2018 and April
2019.
“
“

64. The amount of time people
spent using all four apps
increased between 2018 and
2019.
“
“

66. main idea
details
reminder

67. DON’T

68. mention everything
DON’T

69. Mention the main
idea and provide
examples

70. DON’T
use shorthand

71. “Snapchat was 219”

72. “Snapchat was 219”
“Use of Snapchat grew by
219 percent”

73. End
End