Business Communication Chapter 10 Graphics and Visual Aids

The Importance of Graphics and Visual Aids Visual aids help receivers understand data or concepts Objects Pictures or drawings Posters or charts Graphics Tables Charts Visual aids can help readers and listeners © Dmitriy Shironosov / Shutterstock understand a message. 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids 2

Placing Visual Aids In the document body In an appendix Reference statements Clip art Tables Clip art is a drawing or image that has been saved as an electronic file. 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids 3

Identifying Visual Aids Numbering system Titles for visual aids Source lines 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids 4

Choosing the Correct Visual Aids Tables Organization charts Flowcharts Pie charts Line charts 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids Bar charts Column charts Maps Photographs Drawings 5

Clip Art Clip art is available online Search for free clip art Questions 1. What type of clip art is provided on the site? 2. What, if any, restrictions are placed on how the clip art may be used? school. cengage. com/bcomm/buscomm 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids 6

Reading Charts in reports or other documents Understanding the parts of a chart Pie chart: shows the relationship of a part to a whole Column, bar, and line charts: show a comparison of items or over time Legend: identifies the items the columns, bars, or lines represent 10. 1 Using Graphics and Visual Aids 7

Creating Graphics Electronically Word processing programs Clip art Table styles Spreadsheet programs Programs for creating/editing photos and graphics 10. 2 Developing Graphics 8

Tables Data arranged in rows and columns Formats vary 10. 2 Developing Graphics 9

Organization Chart Shows the relationships of employees, positions, and departments Shows lines of communication and authority in a company 10. 2 Developing Graphics 10

Flowchart A step-by-step diagram of a procedure or process Aids in understanding long or complex steps 10. 2 Developing Graphics 11

Pie Chart Shows how the parts of a whole are distributed Parts are often shown as percentages 10. 2 Developing Graphics 12

Line Chart Shows changes in quantity or value over time Category (horizontal) axis shows time or quantity Value (vertical) shows amounts 10. 2 Developing Graphics 13

Bar Chart Compares groups of data Items compared on the vertical axis Values on the horizontal axis 10. 2 Developing Graphics 14

Column Chart Compares different groups of data Items compared on the horizontal axis Values on the vertical axis 10. 2 Developing Graphics 15

Maps show geographic relationships National Atlas Web site 10. 2 Developing Graphics 16

Photographs Provide a realistic view of a specific item or place Sources Digital camera CD collections Scanner World Wide Web © Image Source Black / Jupiter Images Photographs add interest and realism to documents. 10. 2 Developing Graphics 17

Drawings Useful for showing details or a procedure Clip art Custom drawings 10. 2 Developing Graphics 18

Charts that Misleading charts result from: Careless or unskilled chart creators Purposeful attempts to mislead Misleading others on purpose is unethical Be careful to create graphics that give readers a clear and accurate picture of the data 10. 2 Developing Graphics 19

Vocabulary bar chart clip art column chart flowchart graphic landscape orientation legend line chart organization chart pie chart portrait orientation source line table visual aid 20