Sometimes there is just too much information in a graph. You may need to group information. Grouping information means putting two or three similar or related things together.

This makes it easier for the reader to understand. It is also less work for you, because you can put more than one piece of information in a sentence.

Use a Pen! Make Groups!

For example, you might be able to divide a list into three groups. Often there is one group at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom.

Look at the graph below, which shows the number of Internet users in European countries in 2000.

Possible groups could be

• Top: Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, and Denmark (about 40 users per hundred)
• Group 2: Germany, Austria, UK (about 20 to 25 users per hundred)
• Group 3: Ireland, Belgium, France and Italy (14-16 users)
• Group 4: Spain, Portugal, Greece (less than 10% Internet users)

Next:

• Vocabulary: Words