Chapter 13 Creating Graphics Creating Graphics Chapter 13

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Chapter 13 Creating Graphics

Chapter 13 Creating Graphics

Creating Graphics Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 2

Creating Graphics Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 2

Functions of Graphics n n n They can catch the reader's attention and interest.

Functions of Graphics n n n They can catch the reader's attention and interest. They can help you communicate information that is difficult to communicate with words. They can help you clarify and emphasize information. They can help nonnative speakers of English understand the information. They can help communicate information to multiple audiences with different interests, aptitudes, and reading habits. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 3

n n n Graphics offer benefits that words alone cannot Graphics are indispensable in

n n n Graphics offer benefits that words alone cannot Graphics are indispensable in demonstrating logical and numerical relationships. Graphics can communicate spatial information more effectively than words alone. Graphics can communicate steps in a process more effectively than words alone. Graphics can save space. Graphics can reduce the cost of documents intended for international readers. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 4

Characteristics of an Effective Graphic n n n A graphic should serve a purpose.

Characteristics of an Effective Graphic n n n A graphic should serve a purpose. A graphic should be simple and uncluttered. A graphic should present a manageable amount of information. A graphic should meet the reader's format expectations. A graphic should be clearly labeled. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 5

Creating Honest Graphics n n n Cite your source and obtain permission. Include all

Creating Honest Graphics n n n Cite your source and obtain permission. Include all relevant data. Begin the axes in your graphs at zero— or mark them clearly. Do not use a table to hide a data point that would be obvious in a graph. Show items as they really are. Do not use color or shading to misrepresent an item’s importance. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 6

Guidelines for Integrating Graphics and Text n n n Place the graphic in an

Guidelines for Integrating Graphics and Text n n n Place the graphic in an appropriate location. Introduce the graphic in the text (see Figure 1). Explain the graphic in the text. Make the graphic clearly visible. Make the graphic accessible. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 7

Consider These Aspects of the Document n n Audience Purpose The kind of information

Consider These Aspects of the Document n n Audience Purpose The kind of information you want to communicate Physical conditions Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 8

Consider These Four Factors n n Time Money Equipment Expertise Chapter 13. Creating Graphics

Consider These Four Factors n n Time Money Equipment Expertise Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 9

Choose One of the Following Approaches n n Using existing graphics Modifying existing graphics

Choose One of the Following Approaches n n Using existing graphics Modifying existing graphics Creating graphics on a computer Having someone else create the graphics Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 10

Using Color Effectively n n n Don’t overdo it. Use color to emphasize particular

Using Color Effectively n n n Don’t overdo it. Use color to emphasize particular items. Use color to create patterns. Use contrast effectively. Take advantage of any symbolic meanings colors may already have. Be aware that color can obscure or swallow up text. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 11

Insufficient and Effective Contrast The text is hard to read because of insufficient contrast.

Insufficient and Effective Contrast The text is hard to read because of insufficient contrast. Effective contrast makes the text easier to read. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 12

Categories of Technical Information n n Numerical information Logical relationships Process descriptions and instructions

Categories of Technical Information n n Numerical information Logical relationships Process descriptions and instructions Visual and spatial characteristics Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 13

Illustrating Numerical Information n n Tables Bar graphs Pictographs Line graphs Pie charts Chapter

Illustrating Numerical Information n n Tables Bar graphs Pictographs Line graphs Pie charts Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 14

Illustrating Logical Relationships n Diagrams n Organization charts Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 15

Illustrating Logical Relationships n Diagrams n Organization charts Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 15

Illustrating Instructions and Process Descriptions n n n Checklists Tables Flowcharts Logic boxes Logic

Illustrating Instructions and Process Descriptions n n n Checklists Tables Flowcharts Logic boxes Logic trees Warnings Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 16

Illustrating Visual and Spatial Characteristics n n Drawings Maps Photographs Screen shots Chapter 13.

Illustrating Visual and Spatial Characteristics n n Drawings Maps Photographs Screen shots Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 17

Guidelines for Creating Effective Tables n n n Indicate the units of measure. In

Guidelines for Creating Effective Tables n n n Indicate the units of measure. In the stub—the left-hand column—list the items being compared. In the columns, arrange the data clearly and logically. Do the math. Use dot leaders if a column contains a “blank” spot: a place where there is no appropriate data. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 18

Guidelines for Creating an Effective Table (cont. ) n n Don’t make the table

Guidelines for Creating an Effective Table (cont. ) n n Don’t make the table wider than it needs to be. Minimize the use of rules. Provide footnotes where necessary. If you did not generate the information yourself, indicate your source. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 19

Guidelines for Creating Effective Bar Graphs n n n Make the proportions fair. If

Guidelines for Creating Effective Bar Graphs n n n Make the proportions fair. If possible, begin the quantity scale at zero. Use tick marks—marks along the axis— to signal the amounts. Arrange the bars in a logical sequence. Place the title below the figure. Indicate the source of your information if you did not generate it yourself. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 20

Variations on the Basic Bar Graph n Page 312 lists several variations of the

Variations on the Basic Bar Graph n Page 312 lists several variations of the traditional bar graph. Grouped bar graph n Subdivided bar graph n 100 -percent bar graph n Deviation bar graph n Stratum/area graph n Pictographs n Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 21

Guidelines for Creating Effective Line Graphs n n n If possible, begin the quantity

Guidelines for Creating Effective Line Graphs n n n If possible, begin the quantity scale at zero. Use reasonable proportions for the vertical and horizontal axis. Use grid lines—horizontal, vertical, or both—rather than tick marks when your readers need to read the quantities precisely. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 22

Guidelines for Creating Effective Pie Charts n n Restrict the number of slices to

Guidelines for Creating Effective Pie Charts n n Restrict the number of slices to six or seven. Begin with the largest slice at the top and work clockwise in decreasing-size order. Include a miscellaneous slice for very small quantities. Label the slices (horizontally, not radially) inside the slice. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 23

Guidelines for Creating Effective Pie Charts (cont. ) n n To emphasize one slice,

Guidelines for Creating Effective Pie Charts (cont. ) n n To emphasize one slice, use a bright, contrasting color or separate the slice from the pie. Check to see that your software follows the appropriate guidelines for pie charts. Don’t overdo fill patterns. Check that your percentages add up to 100. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 24

Guidelines for Presenting Photographs Effectively n n n Eliminate extraneous background clutter that can

Guidelines for Presenting Photographs Effectively n n n Eliminate extraneous background clutter that can distract your reader. Do not electronically manipulate the photograph (make OJ look darker). Help the reader understand the perspective. If appropriate, include a common object to give readers a sense of scale. If appropriate, label components or important features. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 25

Advantages of Line Drawings Over Photographs n n n Line drawings can focus the

Advantages of Line Drawings Over Photographs n n n Line drawings can focus the reader’s attention on desired information better than a photograph can. Line drawings can highlight information that might be obscured by bad lighting or a bad angle in a photograph Line drawings can be easier for readers to understand than photographs are. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 26

Bitmapped vs. Vector Graphics n Bitmapped n Vector Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 27

Bitmapped vs. Vector Graphics n Bitmapped n Vector Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 27

Showing Motion n n Use arrows or other symbols to suggest the direction in

Showing Motion n n Use arrows or other symbols to suggest the direction in which something is moving or should be moved. Shake lines suggest vibration. Starburst lines suggest a blinking light. An image of an object both before and after the action suggests the action. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 28

Creating Effective Graphics for Multicultural Readers n n n Be aware that reading patterns

Creating Effective Graphics for Multicultural Readers n n n Be aware that reading patterns differ. Be aware of varying cultural attitudes toward giving instruction. Deemphasize trivial details. Avoid culture-specific language, symbols, and references. Portray people very carefully. Be particularly careful in portraying hand gestures. Chapter 13. Creating Graphics 29