Transcript GRAPHICS - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

GRAPHICS
Adding Visual Interest
Overview
• Tables
• Figures
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
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
“Nuke” Movies’ Characteristics
Movies
Them!
Failsafe
The Core
Mutations Y
From radiation
World
Y
could End
N
N
Y
Y
Nuke will
save world
Y
Y
N
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
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
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
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
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
Drawing
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
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.
Mayflower Cross Section
http://www.alden.org/documents/mf
diagram.htm
Skeleton Exploded Diagram
http://k-8visual.info/xExploded.html
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)
Typical Device Calibration Graph
http://www.calisouk.com/images/gr
aph1.gif
Bar Chart
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
Pie Chart
Flowchart
• Flow Chart
Organization Chart
• Organization Chart Website
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
Photograph
nuclearweaponarchive.org
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.
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.