ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research
ExamplesExamples
Jamie Larsen, Instructor
Graphic Design
The basic rule when deciding what type of graphic to use is to remember: "Tables present, graphs interpret."
Graphics, such as charts, tables, drawings, and photos, help give the document balance and stability. They are integral parts of the document's design and its intellectual and technical content. Graphics sum up and interpret data for the reader much more quickly than prose text can. Every graphic needs a title and should be understandable if separated from the report.
A graphic also needs to be integrated into the discussion. Introduce the graphic either by mentioning it in the text (e.g., Figure 1, Table 1, etc.) in a way that guides the reader's expectations. After the figure, point out what the reader should notice about the display: the trend, any interesting extremes, contrasts, or important effects. You do not need to describe everything in the graphic; the reader can see it.
When deciding on what type of graphic to use, you need to ask yourself what is the most important information that you want to convey to your reader. Graphics help readers' understanding of a body of information or data. For example, a table does not make statements about changes in certain totals, but it does enable readers to see those changes and relationships very quickly.
Tables
Tables can simplify representing data that would be tedious if written in full prose. Place your results in a table that carefully labels each piece of information. Don't break a table across two pages if you can avoid it. If you must break the table, repeat the headings.
Graphs
Use graphs to show comparisons of various kinds. Use the same scale for showing different sets of results so that the results can be compared easily. Use a graphic hierarchy in your graph so that the trend lines are the boldest (wider than the x-y axis lines, which in turn are wider than the tiny grid lines).
The most challenging aspect of graphic design is deciding on the appropriate type of graph to use. The following guidelines are taken from Jimmie Killingsworth's Information in Action :
| Preview and review key points | Tables, Flowcharts |
| Orient the reader in space and time | Maps, flowcharts, organizational charts, line graphs, photographs |
| Indicate functions and direct action | Line drawings with directional pointers, photographs indicating motion |
| Summarize and interpret complex data | Tables, line graphs |
| Display and emphasize key points | Bar charts, pie charts, simple line graphs, simple bar charts |
| Motivate the reader | Icons, drawings, cartoons, photographs |
| Increase your credibility | Organizational charts, blueprints, schematics, photographs, drawings |
Graphic Design
You may boldface or otherwise distinguish the major headings from minor ones through type treatments. As you place the graphic, pay attention to the location of the heading, either on top or beneath the visual. A heading lying at the bottom of the preceding page will not guide the reader. Make the heading (or figure label) informative (e.g., Figure 1 - Organizational Chart for Youth Center, Table 1 - Budget for Internet Cafe). These headings will then serve as one more guide to readers in the front matter under List of Tables and Figures to information that most interests them. Remember, readers do not read anything sequentially.
Sample Graphics
Click on sample graphics to see a lot of different examples of various graphics that might be used in professional documents. Note: This is a product site for Smartdraw.com but it illustrates different ways to represent data.
