Static Graphs
Learn how to describe comparison, proportion and distribution clearly when the graph does not show change over time.
What are Static Graphs?
Static graphs compare information without showing a change over time. There may be one particular year, one group of people, or several categories, but there is no period over which the figures rise or fall.
A bar chart comparing the preferred activities of different age groups in 2025
A pie chart showing how households spent their income in 2024
A table comparing the numbers of male and female students studying different subjects
A chart showing the percentages of people using different forms of transport
Static Graph vs Trend Graph
Language for Static Graphs
Accounted for
Use accounted for + percentage/proportion.
Made up
Use made up + percentage/proportion.
Represented
Useful for both percentages and proportions.
Comprised
✓ Women comprised 65% of the group.
✕ Women comprised of 65% of the group.
Describing Large and Small Proportions
Women comprised the vast majority of nursing students.
Housing accounted for the largest share of household expenditure.
Gardening recorded the lowest figure, at 15%.
Use the vast majority only when the proportion is genuinely very large.
Using Fractions
Fractions are very useful in static graphs because they help avoid repeating percentages.
48% → almost half
52% → just over half
24% → approximately a quarter
21% → just over a fifth
32% → nearly a third
76% → just over three-quarters
Language for Comparisons
The figure for shopping was higher than that for reading.
The proportion for housing was twice as high as that for entertainment.
The figure for one category was three times as high as that for another.
The figures for the two categories were fairly similar.
The two groups accounted for almost equal proportions.
150 men studied computing, whereas the corresponding figure for women was 70.
Food and transport accounted for 25% and 18%, respectively.
What to Notice Before Writing
Highest
Which category has the highest figure or largest proportion?
Lowest
Which category has the lowest figure or smallest proportion?
Major Differences
twice as high as, three times as high as, considerably higher than, significantly lower than
Similar Figures
almost the same, fairly similar, a slight difference between
Fractions
half, a quarter, a third, a fifth, two-fifths, two-thirds
Combined Figures
Housing and food together accounted for 60% of total expenditure.
Together, the two categories made up three-fifths of the total.
Do Not Use Trend Language
If there is no change over time, do not describe the figures as increasing, decreasing or remaining stable.
Housing increased to 35%.
Food declined to 25%.
Entertainment remained at 12%.
Housing accounted for 35%.
Food made up a quarter of the total.
Entertainment represented 12%.
Housing recorded the highest figure.
Compare + Proportion + Highest/Lowest + Similarities/Differences + Fractions
Increase + Decrease + Stability + Fluctuation + Change over time