S Last ENGR 120 VISUALS Capture and hold people s attention Help illustrate textual information Simplify complicated textual descriptions Help the reader understand complicated systems processes and mechanisms ID: 1003665
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1. Effective Visuals Using Graphs, Tables, Charts, and illustrations in Technical ReportsS. Last ENGR 120
2. VISUALSCapture and hold people’s attentionHelp illustrate textual informationSimplify complicated textual descriptionsHelp the reader understand complicated systems, processes, and mechanisms.
3. TYPES OF VISUALSVisuals are referred to as either TABLES or FIGURES. TABLES contain detailed data/information formatted in rows and columns for comparison. FIGURES can take many forms and includeGraphs Charts Illustrations
4. When to use eachTables show the most amount of detail but require study. Use a table when detail is needed; refer to the details in the text, and if necessary, move the table to the appendices. Figures such as graphs and charts illustrate trends or contrast more dramatically but lose the detail. Make the point with the graph, but back it up in the text.
5. Principles of Effective Visuals Simple Design: make visuals clear, easy to understand; don’t over-complicate them.Not“decoration”: visuals perform a useful function, they don’t just decorate your documentClarifies/Illustrates: supplements, does not “replace” textual information
6. PRINCIPLES, continuedNumber and caption every visual sequentially Tables and Figures are numbered separatelyCaptions should be brief, accurate, and informativeDiscuss each visual in the text Refer reader to the visual by numberplace visual as soon as possible after the referencePresent all visuals in an appealing mannerDon’t crowd them by the text or squeeze in between other visualsUse white space to enhance readability
7. PRINCIPLES, continuedClearly label all elements of a visual (legends, axes, scale, direction, etc.) and provide a “key”Point of view should match that of the reader performing illustrated procedureNever omit, distort, or manipulate information to deceive or misleadAvoid spelling mistakes, poor grammar, inconsistent formatting, in labels, key, title or accompanying textCite the sources of visuals you did not create yourself
8. Discuss all Visuals in textRefer reader to the visual by numberplace visual as soon as possible after the reference
9. TABLESPortray detailed statistical and other information for comparison horizontally Consist of horizontal rows and vertical columnsTop row holds the column headings and is called the BOXHEAD; specify unit measurements in boxhead rather than in each cellLeftmost column holds the row headings and is called the STUBTable captions must go above the tableAlign columns according to the material in the cells: left align text, right align numbers, left align combinationsExplain key points of the table; refer to tables in nearby text, and explain the significance
10. Sample TableTable 1. Comparison of Materials and Costs for Designs A and BDesign ADesign BMaterialsCostMaterialsCostsTOTAL COSTNote: Type in boxhead is usually centred and bolded to distinguish it from the data in the table and enhance readability.
11. Weighted Objectives Table
12. TYPES OF FIGURESGraphsLine graphsBar graphsChartsFlow chartsPie ChartsOrganizational charts (Gantt charts)IllustrationsPhotographsDiagramsDrawings
13. GRAPHSLine Graphs and Bar GraphsDisplay statistical trends, changes, and comparisonsLine GraphsPortray change over timePlot points along horizontal and vertical axesJoin points by means of straight lineHorizontal axis identifies the categories of informationVertical axis identifies incremental values that are being comparedAdditional lines can be added for comparison
14. Sample Line GraphCaptionLegendCaptions for key data PointsX axisY axis
15. Sample Bar GraphFigure 1. Comparison of how often Americans vs Canadians say “eh”
16. Bar GraphsConsist of horizontal and vertical axes that depict dependent and independent variablesWhich axis depicts which variable is determined by whether bars are horizontal or verticalHorizontal bar graphs are useful for accommodating many bars and have room for labels if titles are lengthy
17. CHARTSPortray quantitative, cause-and-effect, and other relationships among parts of a unified wholeCan depictSteps in a production processChain of command in an organizationSequential or hierarchical interactions
18. Flow ChartsUsed to portray the steps through which work must flowRead from top to bottom or from left to right
19. Organizational ChartsPortray chains of command within organizationsMost powerful positions placed at the topLeast powerful positions placed at the bottomPortray relationships between elements (can be non-hierarchical)Gantt Charts – project management tool showing when all tasks are to be done in a project over a period of time
20. Sample Gantt Chart
21. Pie ChartPie Or Circle Charts – depict relationships among parts within statistical wholesOften used to show the percentage distribution of budget or resourcesShould have at least 3, but no more than 7, segments resembling slices of pie and constituting a percentageEach slice labeled, showing percentage of the total
22. Non-Optimal Pie ChartFigure 3: uses of semicolonsFigure 4: Causes of death in Game of Thrones
23. ILLUSTRATIONSIllustrations such as photographs and diagrams help the reader to understand what you explain in your text. Some documents that NEED illustrations includeInstructionsNeed to show the components of the objects involved, and the orientations between the objects and the toolsTechnical background reportsNeed to use diagrams and drawings, photographic evidence, conceptual drawings with maps, etc.
24. PhotographsExact representations; strictly accurateProvide overall-viewRequired in certain types of documentsTry to make photo as clear and high quality as possibleFigure 5. Shimano Road Bike Drive Train
25. DiagramsSimplified, realistic depictions of objects or specific aspects/detailsPortrays what is most relevant and clarifies information; focuses on important featuresFigure 6. Bicycle drive train
26. Kinds of DiagramsFigure 7. Conventional line drawing Figure 8. Exploded View
27. Kinds of DiagramsFigure 9. Cut-away diagramFigure 10. Clip art
28. Kinds of DiagramsFigure 11. Venn diagram
29. When using VisualsSimplify your illustrationsUse computer applications criticallyNumber and caption your illustrationsDiscuss your visuals in the textPosition your illustrations strategicallyAvoid distortion, misrepresentation and deception Identify your sources.
30. Use the right visual for your purposeand audience.