# 3.1 Visualisers and verbalisers

A major point about diagrams is that some people naturally relate well to them and use them frequently, while others tend to prefer textual material. The former are sometimes referred to as visualisers and the latter as verbalisers. There is nothing wrong with either of these tendencies, but in subjects like systems thinking, social science or technology, where text and diagrams support each other, it is important to be comfortable with both. In addition, it is helpful to remember that one's own preference is unlikely to suit everyone. So when verbalisers communicate they need to make an effort to use diagrams to supplement, or even replace words, while visualisers need to remember that for some people diagrams need more textual support than they might expect.

Figure 2a

OpenLearn - Systems diagramming
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