5.1.7
Statistics
Statistics
Statistics
Statistics are facts which are expressed in numbers. They add credibility to your writing, as they support and prove your ideas, making your writing seem more accurate and believable.
![Illustrative background for 74% of Year 11 students](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/46f35257-bbd2-4ca0-8087-372ac5cebf8c/child-homework-thinking-memory,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for 74% of Year 11 students ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/46f35257-bbd2-4ca0-8087-372ac5cebf8c/child-homework-thinking-memory,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
74% of Year 11 students
74% of Year 11 students
- Last year, 74% of Year 11 students stated that homework was actually preventing them from revising properly for their exams.
- In this phrase, the statistic ‘74%’ suggests that an actual study has been done, and that an overwhelming majority agreed with the idea that homework was a bad idea. The statistic itself implies that there is proof of the study and adds credibility to the writer’s ideas.
- The high statistic (74%) is used to support the writer’s argument that homework is a negative thing.
![Illustrative background for 8/10 teenagers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/5285205c-0c0d-4b3a-8e65-a04f55e88f27/girl-sad-hurt,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for 8/10 teenagers ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/5285205c-0c0d-4b3a-8e65-a04f55e88f27/girl-sad-hurt,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
8/10 teenagers
8/10 teenagers
- 8/10 teenagers currently suffer from mental health issues.
- In this phrase, the statistic ‘8/10’ suggests that an actual study has been done – this high statistic would also add to the writer’s arguments about the severity of mental health issues.
- The high statistic (8/10) is used to support the writer’s argument that mental health issues are a big problem amongst teenagers.
![Illustrative background for 13% of people recycle plastic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/1.5.2 - Energy resources/recycle-29227_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for 13% of people recycle plastic ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/1.5.2 - Energy resources/recycle-29227_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
13% of people recycle plastic
13% of people recycle plastic
- Only 13% of people actually recycle all of their plastic waste.
- In this phrase, the statistic ‘13%’ suggests that an actual study has been done, and that an overwhelming minority of people recycle plastic, suggesting that a lack of recycling is a big problem.
- The low statistic (13%) is used to support the writer’s argument that a lack of recycling is a huge problem.
Tips for Using Statistics
Tips for Using Statistics
Statistics are facts which are expressed in numbers. They add credibility to your writing, as they support and prove your ideas, making your writing seem more accurate and believable.
![Illustrative background for Make up believable statistics](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/ade23fad-da31-4755-aec7-4be241c94bb2/believe-tshirt-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Make up believable statistics ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/ade23fad-da31-4755-aec7-4be241c94bb2/believe-tshirt-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Make up believable statistics
Make up believable statistics
- You can (and should) make up your statistics, but make them believable! Don’t, for example, claim that 100% of people who are forced to do homework will die horrible deaths – be sensible with your ideas.
![Illustrative background for Use statistics to support your argument](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/678243d8-24b7-40dd-9608-598fb8a78894/shutterstock_696061531,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Use statistics to support your argument ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/678243d8-24b7-40dd-9608-598fb8a78894/shutterstock_696061531,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Use statistics to support your argument
Use statistics to support your argument
- Make sure your statistics actually support the points you are making. For example, if you are arguing that school uniform should be abolished, you could say ‘82% of pupils in the school argue that uniform is pointless’ – avoid something like ‘22%’ because it doesn’t support the point strongly enough.
![Illustrative background for Choose vocabulary carefully](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/459a2801-295b-41b3-991f-dbe870731ba3/information-words-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Choose vocabulary carefully ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/459a2801-295b-41b3-991f-dbe870731ba3/information-words-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Choose vocabulary carefully
Choose vocabulary carefully
- Your choice of vocabulary is vital in creating your language devices effectively.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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