Basic HTML Version
© 2014 Pacific Crest
281
6.4
Communicating Graphically
P
urpose
The role this topic plays in quantitative reasoning
In the previous activities in this chapter you learned about different types of graphics and how to create
and analyze them. But the questions remains: Which kind of graphic should you choose to best convey
the message you want to send? Whether you are trying to model complex ideas, report the results of a
data analysis, or create a presentation to inform or influence people (all of which are part of reasoning
quantitatively), graphics will make this communication easier and more effective.
Which graphic you ultimately choose to help convey your message will depend on what you are
trying to show with your data: What do you want your audience to learn or understand? Graphics can
show a
comparison
of data, the
composition
of data, the
distribution
of data, and the
relationship
between variables in data. Graphics themselves can be
cartoons
,
graphical messages
,
graphical
representations
,
diagrams,
or
logical thought structures
. Understanding each of these concepts will
help you use graphics to communicate ever more effectively.
L
earning Goals
What you should learn while completing this activity
1. Choose the appropriate graph to display any set of data or information.
2. Control all features of a graphic to minimize any interpretation issues.
3. Maximize the impact of your graphical communication by using graphical features to influence the
viewer’s perception.
D
iscovery
Finding out for yourself
The choice of graphics can influence your perception of data. Think of graphics that you have seen. Why
did the creator choose that type of graphic? How did the author scale the data? Now read through the
article available online to see how graphics in the news can influence your perceptions. What will you
look for when you create or view your next graph?
W
hat Do You Already Know?
Tapping into your existing knowledge
1. What are types of graphics you have used or interpreted?
2. Name five types of graphics and when you would choose to use those particular graphics.
3. When should you be skeptical about a graphic?
4. How can graphs be used to influence people?
M
athematical Language
Terms and notation
cartoon
—
a simple drawing showing the features of its subjects in a humorously exaggerated way,
especially satirically, appearing most often in a newspaper, magazine, or website