Infographic Sort

Year 7 English • Sustainability Infographic • Week 1 • 20-30 minutes • Pairs

A strong infographic matches the structure to the job. Sort each brief, then justify your choice. More than one answer can work if the reasoning is sound.

How to play

Print and cut the 12 cards below, or display them one at a time.
For each card, choose the best structure and the best visual move.
Write one sentence beginning: "This structure works because..."
Compare with another pair. If you disagree, use the criteria, not volume, to decide.
Check the answer key only after you have justified your choices.

The structures

Informational

Sections explain causes, impacts, and solutions.

Statistical

Numbers, charts, and comparisons carry the argument.

Radial

One issue sits at the centre; connected factors surround it.

Process or timeline

Steps or events are ordered in time or sequence.

Comparison

Two or more options are judged against the same criteria.

Decision guide

The reader follows questions to a recommended action.

12 briefs

AHow a school composting system works, from collecting scraps to using the soil.

BHow Australia's electricity sources have changed over the past ten years.

CFive practical ways to reduce lunchbox waste this week.

DThe causes, impacts, and solutions of fast fashion, all connected to one central issue.

ETwo ways to get to school, compared on cost, emissions, time, and health.

FThe journey of a plastic bottle from shop to recycling facility to landfill.

GOne large number showing how much food a school wastes, with three icons explaining the impact.

HWhich bin should this item go in? A guide for students.

IThe many stakeholders in a local water dispute, grouped around the river.

JSurvey results showing how often different year groups use reusable bottles.

KCommon myths about recycling, paired with what the evidence says.

LSteps for running a clothes swap at school, from advertising to sorting leftovers.

Sorting table

Card	Best structure	Visual move	Justification
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L

Discussion prompts

Which cards could work with more than one structure? What does that tell you about design?
Which card would be hardest to make accessible? Why?
Which card needs a source line most obviously?
Which card could easily become a wall of text? How would you prevent that?
Which card needs a call to action, and which does not?

Answer key

These are defensible answers, not the only answers. Award reasoning that names the audience, purpose, and content.

Card	Likely structure	Likely visual move
A	Process or timeline	Numbered steps or a cycle diagram; bins and arrows labelled.
B	Statistical	Line or stacked bar chart with years on one axis and a clear source.
C	Informational	Five numbered icons with one action each.
D	Radial	Central garment or label; causes, impacts, and solutions as connected spokes.
E	Comparison	Two-column table or paired bars using the same criteria.
F	Process or timeline	Left-to-right journey with arrows and destination labels.
G	Statistical	One large figure with a short explanation and three supporting icons.
H	Decision guide	Yes/no flowchart leading to bin labels.
I	Radial	River or map at the centre; stakeholder groups around it.
J	Statistical	Grouped bar chart or dot plot; same scale for every year group.
K	Comparison	Myth/fact two-column layout with a source for each fact.
L	Process or timeline	Checklist or timeline with owners and deadlines.

Exit ticket

Choose the structure for your own infographic. Write one sentence explaining why it fits your purpose and audience better than the other options.

No AI: do not use a chatbot to generate your infographic, your research, or your rationale. Check your school's policy on AI before you start.