Module 25

Using Visuals

You want to use visuals only for points you want to emphasis. In your rough draft, use visuals to:

• See that ideas are represented completely.
• find relationships.
• make points vivid.
• emphasize material.
• present material more compactly and with less repetition.
• focus on information that decision makers need.

The number of visuals you need depends on the purpose, kind of information you are presenting, and the audience. Every visual should tell a story. Stories can be described in sentences or tell how something changes. To find stories you should:

• Focus on a topic.
• Simplify the data.
• Look for relationships and changes.

It matters what kind of visuals you use. The visuals much match the story you are telling. Every visual should have a title that tells the story, a clear indication of what the data is, clearly labeled units, labels, the source, and the source of the visuals. Make sure to use color carefully and be sure that the visual is accurate and ethical.