As humans, we tend to understand a concept a lot better when it is illustrated for us to analyze. That’s because large chunks of information can be quite overwhelming for one to absorb after one read. When this happens, communicating your data through a chart will be your best option.
Visualizing your data through a chart enables you to present and explain your data in the most efficient way possible. But for the chart to deliver its purpose, it must be made correctly.
Here are the major elements included in a chart:
1. Title: This refers to the heading of your chart that tells readers what the chart is for what the the data in it relates to. It should be as specific as possible to avoid confusion.
2. Chart Area: The area in which every element of your chart is found is known as the chart area. It’s a rectangular space where the data series, labels, axes, and grid lines are drawn.
3. Plot Area: Within the chart area is another space that you can use to plot the series and grid lines of your chart. On the contrary, the elements that have not been mentioned should be situated outside of the plotting area.You may also see price chart examples.
4. Labels: A label must always be added to identify what the items on each axis represents. This will give readers an idea of what the data point is for along with the role it plays in the chart’s overall objective. These labels must be reflected in the legend as well.
5. Legend: For viewers to know what each data series in the chart represents, a legend must be included as a guide. That way, readers can interpret the chart in such a way that the creator had originally intended. It’s best to use different colors or unique symbols to represent each series being plotted. This should be made visible and understandable for your audience to grasp.
6. Points: A chart will not be complete without data points. This can come in the form of an actual point, a bar, a pie slice, a line, or any other symbol commonly used in the type of chart you are designing. These points are essential for showing the relationship, trend, or behavior of your data over a particular period of time.
There are several ways to create a chart, but if you had to narrow down your choices to two options, you can decide between constructing one from scratch or downloading a template online. Both options have their own fair share of pros and cons, but if you need a chart for a presentation in less than two hours, you might as well go with the latter. To help you out, here’s a guide that you can follow:
1. Identify the purpose of your chart: You need to have a clear understanding as to what the chart is for. This will determine the kind of data you need along with the chart type that will best communicate your message.
2. Gather your data: Data collection is an essential step in creating a chart. You can conduct various modes of research such as surveys, interviews, as well as multiple trips to the library and visits to different government and nonprofit websites. The information you acquire should be correct and relevant to your chart’s purpose. You may also see color chart examples.
3. Find a template: Now that you have your data ready, it’s time to look for a template that you can use. Make sure to choose a chart template that can translate your data in a way that readers can quickly understand. What’s convenient about a template is how you can easily change the entries and values featured to suit your own requirements. You can even save the unedited copy of the template on your computer for future use.
4. Personalize your content: To meet your exact objectives with the chart, edit the contents of the template and replace it with your own data. You can do so by opening the template in a software like Apple Pages. Simply input the data you have acquired and make the necessary adjustments from there. It’s best to use an application that you’re comfortable with to save time. When done, remember to save the file so you can forward it for printing. You may also see food chart examples.
Charts are the perfect addition to your presentations, short reports, proposals, and business plans. But for it to cater your exact purpose, there are a few things to take note of to help improve your chart:
Choosing the right type of chart is crucial to the successful delivery of ideas. However, this would depend on the kind of data you have and the message you want to communicate. The different types of charts you’re likely to encounter in either an academic or business setting are as follows:
Charts, in general, are a graphical representation of data that allow users to better understand and foresee current and future data. The data is illustrated through a point or symbol to show users how such data behaves and what role it plays in one’s findings. This helps you uncover patterns, trends, or relationships that might have been difficult to analyze without the presence of the chart.
Charts offer a variety of benefits to those who use them. They are often used to summarize a large data set in a visual form for readers to easily comprehend. That’s because wordy paragraphs and numerical figures tend to intimidate readers and make it difficult for them to grasp a complex idea in one read. By using a chart to convey your ideas, you can simplify your findings and draw accurate conclusions for your audience to analyze. You may also see control chart examples.
The definition of charts and graphs often overlap in the world of business and media. The confusion over charts and graphs revolves around the idea of how they are both used to present information and show the relationship between data sets. Though they sometimes seem the same, they do possess a subtle difference which separates one from the other. However, one notable attribute to remember is that a graph is merely a subgroup of a chart. This means that it is possible to classify a graph as a chart, but not the other way around.
Communicating your data to an audience is rather difficult to do without a chart. But that doesn’t mean a chart would magically bring everything together, as you need to make sure your chart is well-constructed and error-free for readers to absorb data correctly. Feel free to refer to the templates and guidelines provided in this article to create your own chart.