1. How to draw a Bar Graphs

2. Bar Graphs What is a bar graph?
Bar Graphs are good when your data is in categories. It is best to leave gaps between the bars of a Bar Graph, so it doesn't look like a Histogram.
Why are bar graphs useful?
Bar graphs are useful to compare things between different groups or to track changes over time.

3. Bar Graph rules A good bar graph should have:
A clear and accurate title that explains the purpose of the graph
Bars that are either labelled directly or indicated by means of a colour key
An X and Y axis that are labelled
Bars should not be touching one another.
The source of the data.

4. Which Bar Graphs do you think are the best here?

5. Resources used to make electricity
Let’s make a Bar Graph
Resources used to make electricity
Percentage (%)
Coal 42
Oil 5
Natural gas 21
Nuclear 13
Hydro 16
Other 3
Source: Based on data from OECD 2011, Factbook 2011–2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics, OECD Publishing

6. Steps: 1. Write a title for your graph
2. Using a ruler draw a line for the X and Y axis
3. Label the X and Y axis with the categories
4. Decide the length of each section on the X and Y axis
(Make sure all on your data will fit)
5. Rule small lines on the X and Y axis to show each interval.
6. Label each Category on the X axis and numerical label on the Y axis

7. Steps
6. Using a ruler and a grey lead pencil, mark the value of the first category. Rule two lines from the X axis to this point to create a bar.
7. Colour this bar in carefully.
8. Leave a space between this bar and the next bar. Keep this distance the same across the graph.