Skip to content
Skip to main content

About this free course

Download this course

Share this free course

Systems diagramming
Systems diagramming

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

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