using visuals
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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) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.