Integrating Information from Different Formats

Why Integrating Information Matters

Imagine you're reading an article about climate change. The words tell you that temperatures are rising. But then you see a bar graph showing temperatures shooting up over the last hundred years. Suddenly, the idea clicks in a way it didn't before. That's the power of integrating information — pulling together what you learn from words, pictures, charts, and other formats to build a fuller, clearer understanding.

People have been combining words with images for a very long time. Here's a quick look at how this skill became important in schools and in the world.

Today, the ability to pull together information from different formats is a key part of the Common Core ELA standards. Why? Because in the real world — whether you're studying for a test, reading the news, or learning a new skill — information almost never comes in just one form. Your job as a reader is to connect all the pieces.

Core Skills for Integration

When we say you should integrate information, we mean you should combine details from different sources or formats — like text, images, charts, and videos — to develop a coherent understanding (a clear, complete picture) of a topic. Here are four key skills that help you do this.

Visual Guide: How Formats Work Together

The diagram below shows how different types of information can all point to the same topic. Notice how each format adds something unique that the others don't provide. When you read about a topic like "water usage," the written text might explain a problem, while a graph shows the data, and a photograph brings the reality to life.

As you can see in the diagram, each format brings something the others can't. Written text is great for explaining reasons and building arguments. Charts and graphs let you see patterns in numbers quickly. Images and photos help you picture the real world. And videos or audio add motion and sound. When you combine all four, you get a much richer understanding than any single one could give you.

How to Integrate Information Step by Step

Now that you know what integrating information means, let's talk about how to actually do it. Here's a step-by-step process you can use any time you're reading an informational text that includes different formats.

Let's walk through an example. Say you're reading a science article about the water cycle. The text explains that water evaporates from the ocean, forms clouds, and falls as rain. A diagram in the article shows arrows going from the ocean, up to the clouds, and back down to the land. A data table shows how much rain falls in different regions each year.

By combining all three, you don't just know what the water cycle is — you can also see how it moves and compare rainfall across places. That's integration in action!

Breaking Down Different Formats

Not all formats share information the same way. Some are better at showing numbers, while others are better at showing feelings or real-world scenes. The table below breaks down the most common formats you'll see in informational texts and what each one does best.

Here's the cool part: when an author uses multiple formats in one article or report, they do it on purpose. Each format fills in a gap that the others leave. Your job is to figure out what each format adds and how they all connect.

For instance, if you're reading about declining bee populations, the text might explain that pesticides are harming bees. A line graph could show the population dropping over time. A map might reveal that the biggest drops happen near farming areas. Each format gives you a different piece of the story. Together, they make a strong, clear argument.

Worked Example: Putting It All Together

Let's practice integrating information with a real-world example. Imagine you're reading an article called "Should Schools Start Later?" that includes both text and a bar graph.

Notice how our final understanding is stronger than what either the text or the graph could give us alone. That's the whole point of integration!

Strengths & Limitations of Each Format

Every format has its superpowers and its weaknesses. When you know what each format is good at (and what it can't do well), you become a smarter reader. The table below shows you the pros and cons.

This is exactly why authors combine formats. The written text explains the "why." The chart shows the "how much." The photo shows the "what it looks like." Each format fills the gaps the others leave behind.

Beyond 6th Grade: Where This Skill Goes Next

The skill of integrating information doesn't stop in 6th grade. As you move into 7th and 8th grade and beyond, you'll be asked to do more with what you learn from different formats. Here's a peek at how this skill grows.

Right now, your focus is on being able to look at a text that has words and some other format — a chart, a graph, a diagram, a photo — and pull it all together into one clear understanding. Once you've mastered this, you'll be ready to think more critically about why authors choose certain formats and how well they work.

This skill is also used in science class (reading lab reports with data tables), social studies (reading articles with maps and timelines), and math (solving word problems that include diagrams). It's truly a skill you'll use everywhere!

Practice Problems

Time to put your skills to the test! Try each problem below. When you're ready, click "Show Answer" to check your thinking.

Lesson Summary