Graphs and visual aids 11

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Portland SandyHook Boston KeyWest
Average DifferencesinWaterLevels: HighandLow Tides

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Definition
Graphic aids present information in
pictorial form or in other specific
formats in order to consolidate, clarify,
or prove the written material they go
with.
Too often graphs, diagrams, charts and
tables are casually glanced over or
bypassed completely by readers.

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Purpose
 Visual aids are designed to summarize information.
Sometimes the amount of data is so large that an aid is
the only practical way of making the information
accessible.
 Visual aids allow the writer to explain complex ideas
more concretely, and the reader to visualize abstract
concepts.
 Visuals aids can even present new or additional
information to the written text.

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The General Strategy for
Interpreting Graphs
n 1. Read the title. It usually tells the topic.
n 2. Look at the source of the information.
n 3. Read any accompanying explanation.
n 4. Read the legend (small explanatory table or list of symbols)
n if there is one.
n 5. Read the labels on the parts of the graph.
n 6. Determine what is being measured or compared and the
n units of measurement.
n 7. Look for trends or patterns.
n 8. Think about how the graph illustrates, clarifies, or proves
n the material it accompanies.
n 9. Draw the important conclusions.

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Line Graphs
Linear graphs, also known as line graphs, are used to
represent a trend. A trend is a pattern over an
extended period of time. Made of an x axis and y axis,
both axes must represent data displayed over a long
period.

Line Graphs
 The x axis usually represents time and the y
axis usually represents quantities or amounts. Each axis
is given a designation which is broken into increments.
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Multiple Line Graphs
 If there is the need to make a comparison or a contrast
of more than one trend over the same period of time,
then a multiple line graph is used such as the example
on the left.
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Bar Graphs
Bar graphs (sometimes
called histograms) are used
to show a comparison of
quantities or amounts in a
category. One axis will
represent an amount or
quantity and the other axis
will represent a category or
thing being compared. There
are three basic types:
(single) bar graph, multiple
bar graph and stacked bar
graph.

Bar Graphs
Bar graphs can be vertical or horizontal.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 13: Interpreting Graphic Aids 11

Multiple Bar Graph A multiple bar graph contains
comparisons of two or more
categories or bars. One axis
represents a quantity and the
other axis identifies a specific
feature about the categories.
Reading a multiple bar graph
includes looking at extremes
(tallest/longest vs. shortest) in
each grouping. The first
example is a vertical multiple
bar graph.

Stacked Bar Graph
 Stacked bar graph is a graph that is used to compare the
parts to the whole. The bars in a stacked bar graph are
divided into categories. Each bar represents a total.

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Pie Charts
A pie chart is a circle graph that uses
various sized “slices” to represent relative
parts of the whole.

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Pie Charts
The entire circle will be one
category; in this example
the category is electricity
use in a typical urban
community in the U.S. The
slices represent types of
use within the same
category. Each portion of
the pie chart is labeled and
the proportion indicated.

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Organizational Charts
An organizational
chart divides an
organization such as a
hospital, corporation or
government agency, into
administrative parts or lines
of authority. These charts
depict the hierarchy, ranks
or lines of authority in the
organization. Each block
indicates an office or officer
within the hierarchy.

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Flowcharts
A flowchart is a diagram that uses
connected boxes, circles, and other
shapes to show the steps in a process or
procedure.

Diagrams
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Diagrams are drawings, plans or
outlines which help you visualize
the relationship between parts or
sequences. Diagrams are frequently
used in science textbooks.
Typically, a diagram will depict
something in a perfect state and
contain labels, names which
identify key parts.

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Tables
A table shows relationships between facts and figures by
arranging information in rows and columns.

Timeline
 Timelines represent information that proceeds in
temporal order.
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Graphs and visual aids 11

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