Editing graphics

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Editing graphics
ACES Miami April 19, 2007 Bill Cloud University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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A good map or chart

• Is free of errors.
• Is easily understood by the readers.
• Makes good use of its allotted space.
• Is clearly connected to the story.
• Has text elements that complement, rather than
  repeat, accompanying headlines.

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A good map

• Includes, in most cases, both a north pointer and
  a distance scale.
• Clearly labels the significant elements on the
  map.
• Labels streets and other landmarks mentioned in
  the story.
• Aids a reader who may go to or pass through the
  area.

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A good chart

• Presents information clearly without wasting
  space.
• Reflects changes in the value of the dollar.
• Reflects changes in the population.
• Appropriately rounds off large numbers.
• Puts numbers into perspective.

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A map should be clear and uncluttered
(Unlike this one.)
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Distance scalesNeeded or not?
Almost every map, including this one, needs to
show distances.
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Distance scalesNeeded or not?Distance
scalesNeeded or not?
This is probably a reasonable exception because
were showing the entire United States and arent
concerned with distances.
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Do story and map connect?
Shouldnt we tell our readers that the line shows
the migratory route and let them know the flying
distance?
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Do story and map connect?
Here, the cutline with the map makes the
difference.
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Does the map aid the reader?
Where is Eighth Avenue? How will traffic
detour? Can we show the route?
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Accounting for inflation
Stamp prices shown are misleading
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Accounting for inflation
unless you consider the changing value of the
dollar, as indicated by the lengthened lines.
Check inflation at bls.gov
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Accounting for inflation
Heres an interesting chart showing the growth of
the Maine lobster business. The problem is
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Accounting for inflation
Value of lobsters in 2000 dollars
It doesnt reflect the change in the value of
the dollar
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Accounting for inflation
6.00
Price Per Pound in 2000 dollars
3.00
Actually, the price peaked in 1973!
1950
2002
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Linear deception
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Linear deception
Is the footnote enough here? Shouldnt we do
something else to show readers that the 04
figures are for part of a year?
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Controlling for population
The chart shows differences in funding amounts
among states and some cities, but those
differences mainly reflect population
differences. Compare it with a graph of the state
populations.
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Controlling for population
A per-capita comparison presents a very different
picture.
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Out of?
For perspective, we should be told how many
people are employed in each office and in the
state as a whole.
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Out of?
Again, we need the totals for the district and
for each school to understand the scope of the
problem.
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Worth the space?
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Worth the space?
In this case, a table presents the infor-mation
more clearly and allows us to add a crucial
figure the elec-toral votes available in each
state.
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Beware, pie charts

• They do a poor job in ranking proportions.
• The numbers and the slices can be hard to
  connect.
• The slices get to be too thin for nourishment.

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What to do instead?

• Often, simple tables are best.
• Consider the cake chart.

• Shares are more clear.
• Rank ordering is simpler.

But What about the number of accidents?
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Car safety experts shift focus to side impact As
highway deaths have declined, the share of deaths
blamed on side impact crashes has risen.
A lot more information in the same space.
Front Impact Other Side Impact
86 (52)
62 (53)
Car fatalities, by direction of impact
1980-2001 Driver deaths in cars 1-3 years old,
per million cars registered
41 (46)
36 (22)
18(15)
14(17)
42 (26)
37 (32)
32 (37)