Look at the title of the table/chart.
a. What is it about? What or who is the “unit of analysis?” what kind of data is being featured: income, wages, accumulated wealth, something non-monetary?
3) Carefully examine the data reflected in the table / chart:
a. Are we looking at a comparison of individuals or groups in a single point in time or are we looking at trend data over more than one, or even many points in time?
b. Look for patterns in the data; compare and contrast different categories. Look deeply at the chart/ table and ask yourself: what is being compared here? What patterns do I see? What data stands out from the pattern? what SURPRISES am I finding in the data?
c. Now step back from the chart or table and ask: what is the story? Why do the authors want me to look at this table? Is it telling me something new and important about an important issue? What is it?
4) Draft a quick outline of your paper and begin writing, being sure to address the following:
a. Describe the chart / table. Note its title, the categories in the rows and in the columns (or the X and Y axes on a chart or graph),
b. Describe the type of data you are examining and why it is interesting to you and important for the reader to understand.
c. Highlight the most important patterns and/or comparisons that stand out to you.
d. Interpret the table or chart: what “story” emerges from the patterns and/or comparisons? What is the table or chart telling us? What point is it making? Keep in mind, some tables make multiple points. You don’t have to say everything about your selected table or chart; just whatever you think is most salient and interesting.