Graphs and Other Charts

1. Neatness is important:
• Draw to consistent scale
• Lines should be straight
• Circles should be true
• Grids and axes should be at right angles
• Use straightedge and graph paper when drawing manually
2. Labelling should be complete and appropriate:
• Include title (and subtitle if appropriate); should be meaningful
• Include appropriate axis labels
• Include legend if and only if necessary
• Indicate relevant units of measure
• Use mixed case
• Should be value-adding
3. Display formats (e.g., number of decimal places) should consistent and at reasonable precision
4. Show grid lines when appropriate
5. Avoid abbreviations
6. Readable from bottom or right
7. Refer to examples in books, newspapers, magazines

Tabular Displays

1. Neatness is important
2. Labelling should be complete and appropriate:
• Include title (and subtitle if appropriate); should be meaningful
• Include appropriate row and column labels
• Include legend if and only if necessary
• Indicate relevant units of measure
• Use mixed case
• Should be value-adding
3. Display formats (e.g., number of decimal places) should consistent and at reasonable precision
4. Avoid abbreviations
5. Readable from bottom or right
6. Refer to examples in books, newspapers, magazines