Paul Mundy Tables and illustrations

Tables Good way to present numbers Good way to organize text  Eg to compare 2–3 alternatives Refer to them in the text But  Tables can be hard to understand  Keep them to a minimum  Keep them simple

Questions on tables What is the purpose of this table? Is this the best way to present data?  How about a graphic? Numbers in the text? Is the table complete in itself? How does it relate to the rest of the text?

Data in tables Put columns and rows in logical order Put data to compare close to each other Highlight important numbers Cut out unnecessary figures  Give round numbers (3.5 tons, not tons)  No significance levels or statistical tests  Reduce the number of rows and columns

Tables Make the title talk  Put detail in a footnote if needed Say where the information comes from  Date, place, project

Graphics Important design element  Break up the text  Readers look at them before reading the text Keep them simple Make them clear

How about this graphic?

How about this one?

Photos or illustrations?

Photos Show reality Show colour Expensive to reproduce Hard to find good photos If you can’t find a good photo, don’t use a bad one What do you see in this photo?

Photographs Use digital camera Taking photos  Take photos yourself  Colleagues take photos  Use professional photographer Build up a photo library  Label photos with place, date, names, subject

Photographs Photo quality  In focus, correct exposure Not too light or dark  People doing things Not just looking at camera  Get up close to subject  Check photo composition Subject not right in centre Use framing by trees, objects

Exposing for the sky

Photos Choose photos carefully Crop them to highlight area of interest Give a caption if needed Olivia Njemba (right) shows her tree nursery to visiting extension agents

Illustrations Attract the eye Use them to carry a message  Not just for decoration Provide labels and a caption if needed

Illustrations Can be clearer than photo  Less distracting detail Can show things that are not real

Illustrations Easy to label Cheap to reproduce Need to find artist