Using Visuals

Speaking and Writing for Engineers- Honors

Types of visuals

Tables Graphs Charts Photographs Drawings Diagrams

Referencing visuals in your document

Refer to tables as tables (Table 1) Refer to all other visuals as figures (Figure 1)

*do not use the words chart, photograph, etc.

Tables

Consist of columns and rows of numbers or words

Useful for presenting large amounts of data Effective for showing the reader all the detail

regarding the data

Table example

Graphs

Consist of lines that move up and down the page indicating changes in data across time

Useful in illustrating general trends

Graph example

Charts (bar and pie)

Useful in comparing one data set to another Useful in comparing one data set to the whole Provides general information about the data

Bar Chart

Pie Chart

Photographs

Excellent for showing scale Best choice when it’s necessary to show all

details

Photograph

Drawings

Simplified illustrations Can strip away extraneous detail and focus

only on the key objects, parts, or actions

Drawing

Diagrams

Abstract illustrations of objects or processes Focus on infrastructure or concepts

Flowchart

Rules for using Visuals

Give each table and figure a descriptive title. Put table titles above the table. Put figure

titles below the figure. Number tables and figures sequentially in the

order they appear in your document, beginning with Table 1 and Figure 1.

Place visuals just after the first point of reference in the document.

Rules for using Visuals, cont.

Cross reference each visual in the text of your document. (Figure 1 shows. . .)

Balance visuals with text for a professional appearance.

Use labels and legends as needed. Credit sources for any borrowed information

included in a visual.