GRAPHICS

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GRAPHICS

• Adding Visual Interest

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Overview

• Tables
• Figures

3
Tables

• Gives order and coherence to data
• Presents data in more concise and readable form
  than using sentences and paragraphs
• Keeps data from being tediously repetitive
• Stresses relationships among pieces of data
  visually by arranging related facts in the same
  column or under same heading

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Tables 2

• Types of tables
• Informal two or more columns, with or without
  headings, often untitled, integrated into text
• formal used for formal reports, lined or boxed
  to separate them from text, numbered
  consecutively, titled, set up with specific
  format

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Nuke Movies Characteristics
Movies Them! Failsafe The Core
Mutations From radia-tion Y N N
World could End Y Y Y
Nuke will save world N Y Y
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Stylistic Conventions

• Label each table (Table 1. Terms and
  abbreviations)
• Create a separate TOC for visuals
• If from outside source, list source either after
  title in parentheses or in a parenthetical
  citation in text
• Include annotations (explanations of any part of
  table) if necessary

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Stylistic Conventions 2

• Point to details in tables of particular
  interest
• Give background information on table contents to
  tell audience what results mean or to indicate
  comparisons/contrasts, trends

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Placement

• Place tables (true also for figures) as close as
  possible to the discussion they underscore.
• At end of sentence or paragraph that refers to
  table for first time
• At bottom of page where table is first referred
  to
• On following page without text

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Page Design

• Surround table with enough white space to keep
  page from looking cluttered. Depending on size,
  tables may be placed vertically or horizontally
  on page
• Keep tables to 1 page unless absolutely necessary
  to use 2 pages. If so, repeat headings, and take
  subtotals if necessary

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Figures

• Drawings
• Unnecessary parts of item can be deleted
• Use to emphasize particular attributes of object
  size, shape, color, texture, interior as well as
  exterior

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Drawing
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Figures 2

• Diagrams (maps, charts),
• Show only most important exterior or interior
  views of object
• Often demand some technical expertise from
  audience because they show relationships and
  operating principles
• May need an explanation to make them clear to
  readers without that expertise. Arrows to show
  directions or labels may be sufficient

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Figures 3

• Types of diagrams
• Cross section shows interior from point of view
  of object sliced in half vertically
• Exploded separates the parts of a subject so
  that each part can be seen clearly.

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Mayflower Cross Section http//www.alden.org/docum
ents/mfdiagram.htm
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Skeleton Exploded Diagram http//k-8visual.info/xE
xploded.html
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Figures 4

• Graphs set of points on coordinate axes with
  lines connecting those points
• Clearly label each axis
• Use color if graph has many lines
• Bar charts display numerical quantities in
  horizontal or vertical bars
• Arrange bars in order that makes most sense for
  your report (descending order of importance, for
  instance)

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Typical Device Calibration Graph
http//www.calisouk.com/images/graph1.gif
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Bar Chart
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Figures 5

• Pie charts segmented circle for dividing a
  whole, usually monetary (U.S. budget) good for
  non-tech audience
• Flowcharts show sequence and direction,
  accompanying descriptions of processes
• Organization charts show hierarchies--lines and
  levels of responsibility

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Pie Chart
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Flowchart

• Flow Chart

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Organization Chart

• City of Westminster Organization Chart

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Figures 6

• Photographs
• Accurately record surfaces of objects
• Crop them to eliminate unnecessary background
  detail
• Can label them underneath or on photo
• Disadvantage is that they show only surface
  features

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Photograph nuclearweaponarchive.org
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Uses for Figures

• Never say with words what you can say with
  pictures.
• If data is quantitative or pictorial, figures
  will express it better than words.
• Most people find pictures easier to understand,
  and retain information longer.
• Graphics heighten readers' interest and increase
  clarity of reports.

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Uses 2

• Whether you use visuals depends on your topic and
  type of report.
• For a process manual, use a drawing that shows
  one of the steps in the process (connecting the
  timer in a bomb).
• Graphs or pie or bar charts show what has
  happened over time graphs can show how business
  at a particular branch has fallen in the last six
  months.
• Pie charts show how an item is divided.
• Diagrams supplement your description of an item.