why use visuals?
DESCRIPTION
Why Use Visuals?. To clarify a concept Emphasize a particular meaning Illustrate a point Analyze ideas or data Help readers process information differently Pull important information out of text. How Visuals Work. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Why Use Visuals?
• To clarify a concept
• Emphasize a particular meaning
• Illustrate a point
• Analyze ideas or data
• Help readers process information differently
• Pull important information out of text
How Visuals Work
• Visuals enhance comprehension by displaying abstract concepts in concrete, geometric shapes.
• Visuals make meaningful comparisons possible.
• Visuals depict relationships.
• Visuals serve as universal language.
When to Use a Visual• When you want to draw attention to
something immediately important• When you expect the document to be
consulted randomly or selectively instead of being read in its original sequence
• When you expect the audience to be relatively less educated, less motivated, or less familiar with the topic
• When you expect the audience to be distracted
The University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station traps sparrows, blackbirds, starlings, and grackles to protect valuable seed in its fields. In 1985, 6,305 sparrows, 581 blackbirds, 1,086 starlings, and 163 grackles were trapped. In 1990, 2,317 sparrows, 1,468 blackbirds, 400 starlings, and 131 grackles were trapped. In 1995, 8,843 sparrows, 502 blackbirds, 1,104 starlings, and 325 grackles were trapped. Finally, in 2000 3,396 sparrows, 395 blackbirds, 2,160 starlings, and 412 grackles were trapped.
Graphs display numerical relationshipsGraphs display numerical relationships
Charts display parts of a wholeCharts display parts of a whole
Tables display organized lists of dataTables display organized lists of data
Graphic illustrations show actual viewsGraphic illustrations show actual views
Functions of Visuals1. Provide immediate visual recognition
2. Organize numeric or textual data
3. Show relationships among numeric or verbal data
4. Define or explain concepts, objects, and processes
5. Present chronology, sequence, or process
6. Illustrate appearance or structure
7. Identify facilities or locations
How to Select Visuals for Your Purpose and Audience
• What is my purpose?– What do I want the audience to think or know?– Do I want users to focus on one or more exact values, compare two
or more values, or synthesize a range of values?
• Who is my audience?– What is their technical background on this topic?– What is their level of interest in this topic?– Would they prefer raw data or interpretations of the data?– Are they accustomed to interpreting visuals?– What is their cultural background?
• Which type of visual might work best in this situation?– What forms of information should this visual depict (numbers,
shapes, words, pictures, symbols)?– Which visual display would be most compatible with the type of
judgment, action, or understanding I seek from the audience?– Which visual display would this audience find most accessible?
How to Select Visuals for Your Purpose and Audience cont. . .
• If you want the audience to know facts and figures, a table might suffice, but if you want them to make a particular judgment about these data, a bar graph, line graph, or pie chart might be preferable.
• To depict the operating parts of a mechanism, an exploded or cutaway diagram might be preferable to a photograph.
• Expert audience tend to prefer numerical tables, flowcharts, schematics, and complex graphs or diagrams they can interpret for themselves.
• General audiences tend to prefer basic tables, graphs, diagrams, and other visuals that direct their focus and interpret key points extracted from the data.
Guidelines for Using Visuals with Text• Place the visual where it will best serve your readers• Never refer to a visual that readers cannot easily
locate.• Never crowd a visual into a cramped space• Number the visual and give it a clear title and labels.• Match the visual to your audience.• Introduce and interpret the visual.• Use prose captions to explain important points made
by the visual.• Be sure the visual can stand alone.• Never include excessive information in one visual.
Preferred Displays for Specific Visual PurposesPurpose............................................ Preferred Visual
Organize numerical data……………... Table
Show comparative data…………..….. Table, bar graph, line graph
Show a trend…………………….…..... Line graph
Interpret or emphasize data…….….... Bar graph, line graph, pie chart, map
Introduce an unfamiliar object……...... Photo, representational diagram
Display a project schedule………….... Gantt chart
Show how parts are assembled.…….. Photo, exploded diagram
Show how something is organized….. Organization chart, map
Give instructions………………..……... Prose table, photo, diagrams, flowchart
Explain a process……………………... Flowchart, block diagram
Clarify a concept or principle……….... Block or schematic diagram, tree chart
Describe a mechanism……………….. Photo, representation, or cutaway diagram
Available Toppings at Pizza Palace
• Pepperoni• Sausage• Italian Sausage• Canadian Bacon• Shrimp• Hamburger• Bologna• Green Peppers• Red Peppers• Banana Peppers• Ham• Pickles• Chicken
• Bananas• Tuna• Salmon• Pineapple• Feta Cheese• Gorgonzola Cheese• Salami• Calamari• Black Olives• Mayonnaise• Asparagus• Arugula• Smoked Mozzarella
• Green Olives• Red Onions• Yellow Onions• Garlic• Basil• Oregano• Tomatoes• Apple Rings• Anchovies• Marshmallows• Zucchini• Artichoke• Maraschino Cherries
Bad Example of Bar Graph
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Bad Example of Images
• Don’t use animation in your slides!
• Don’t use sounds!• Don’t time your slides!
How to Avoid Visual Distortion
• Present the real picture
• Present the complete picture
• Don’t mistake distortion for emphasis
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How to Avoid Visual Distortion
• Present the real picture
• Present the complete picture
• Don’t mistake distortion for emphasis
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How to Avoid Visual Distortion
• Present the real picture
• Present the complete picture
• Don’t mistake distortion for emphasis
Sales of Beer by Store
Avoid this graphic Use this graphic
Sales of Beer by Store