54 Visuals Overview

Visuals are used to complement text in documents. Visuals are classified according to Tables or Figures.

A table is used to organize data in volumes and rows using numbers and words. Tables present a logical representation of data. Tables are usually used to show comparison data.

Figures, on the other hand, illustrate all other types of data. Figures include such visuals as pie charts, line graphs, bar graphs, layouts, photographs, drawings and photographs:

  • Pie Charts show segments that compare percentages of a whole.
  • Line graphs show the relationship between two or more variables.
  • Horizontal Bar Graphs show comparisons of similar units.
  • Vertical Bar Graphs illustrate timelines.
  • Layouts show detailed space.
  • Flow Charts show time sequences or hierarchal structures
  • Drawings eliminate unnecessary details to more effectively show how items relate to other items.
  • Photographs are exact representations of items.  (Riordan, 2005)

Note that although visuals and text complement each other, either can stand alone. Both include and express the same information in different formats.

References:  Riordan, D.G. (2005). Technical report writing today. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

See the following examples of Tables and Figures:

Tables

Car Prices Table
Two-Column Simple Table

 

ASCII Table
Five-Column Table

 

Figures

Generic Pie Chart
Pie Chart

 

Bar Chart of Canadian Population 2011
Horizontal Bar Graph

 

Chart of Number of Humans launched into space
Vertical Bar Graph

 

Line Graph with Population of Thoralby
Line Graph

 

Flow Chart
Flow Chart

 

Southern Stingray Line Drawing
Drawing

 

SS Columbia
Photograph

 

Orchestra Layout
Layout

 

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