Graphics

COM 365

Newspaper Layout & Design

Why graphics?

• Need them to break up text, liven up page– Adds visual element

• Allow journalist to show visual relationships between numbers– Especially useful when data is complex

• A way to attract readers into a story– Readers more drawn to stories with graphics

Fast Facts

• Distills basic information in story into a quick read– May interest those

readers not really interested in reading whole story

Lists

• Used to graph rankings, itemize information

Bar Charts

• Compare two or more objects side by side

• Consists of a scale and bars running either horizontally or vertically

• Bars usually stacked in some order– By size, chronological

Fever Charts• Components:

– Scale that’s runs vertically measuring amounts– A scale that runs horizontally measuring time– A point-to-point line that shows trends

Pie Charts• Compare the parts that make up a whole

• Components:– A circle that represents 100%– Wedges that divide circle into smaller parts

(percentages)• Each slice needs to be accurate reflection of its

percentage

• Label slices inside pie or scatter around pie and draw line from label to slice

Tables

• Like lists but usually more emphasis on comparisons between rows

• Consist of:– Heading running across top of chart– Categories running down left side– Data, info in columns

• Important to align rows and columns – Align text flush left– Align numbers flush right

Timelines

• Show how events have unfolded– Key dates in history, past year– Of some event

• Crisis in Kosovo

• Chronology of events in O.J. Simpson case

Diagrams

• Freeze image so it can be examined in greater detail– Use cutaway views of object– Description of key

components of object

Locator Maps

• Can be used in stories in which:– Readers may want to go to the event

– Where something happened is important to story

• Show location of place where something occurred• Leave out unnecessary details, keep them simple

Explanatory Maps

• Used to tell a story

• Used a step-by-step sequence to tell how something happened

Guidelines

• Keep it simple– Limit number

of slices in pie chart, bars in bar chart etc.

• Keep it accurate– Charts need to be proportionate

• Especially bar charts

– Slices should be representative of percentages– Time units should be evenly spaced on fever

charts

• Compare two bars on ends– Are they proportionate? Accurate?

• Liven it up– Add illustrations, color, photos, etc.

• Need to be careful not to clutter up charts with cartoons – Should be used to organize, label data– Not just for decoration

USA Snapshots

Format• Need to have style guidelines for all

graphics– Type sizes, screen percentages, where to put credit

lines,

• Every graphic needs a headline– Except locator maps which need a pointer box

• Readability is key– Type should be normal size (around 10 pt.)

– Keep all type horizontal (except roads, rivers)

• Placement for graphics is the same as for photos– Above text

– Don’t jump text over

Parts of a graphic

• Headline: short explanation of the graphic

• Explainer: All graphics (except locator maps) should contain short explanation of what the graphic is about and why that information is important.

• Body: The element that transform the data into visual presentation

• Source: Identifies where the information for the graphic came from.

• Credit: The staff person who did the graphic.

Headline for ChartExplanation for chart goes here. It should tell the reader not only what the graphic is about but also why it is important.

Source: Associated Press

Janice Green: City News

Headline

Explanation

Body

Source

Credit Line

Bar ChartThe explanation for the chart goes here. Use a bar chart when you need to compare items.

Source: City of Normal

John Smith: City News

Pie ChartExplanation for the informational graphic goes here. Use a pie chart to compare different proportions of a whole.

Source: Associated Press

Jessica Small: City News

Fever ChartPut the explanation here. Use a fever chart to indicate trends over time

Source: Associated Press

Paul Hovey: City News

Site for newAce Hardware

Central

Stan Hunter: City News

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Locator MapUse when you need to locate event, trace a path, etc. Usually doesn’thave a headline or explanation, but a pointer box instead.