1. Graphics in Expository Writing: A Guide
Meg gorzycki, Ed.D

2. Graphic Representations of Data
Edward Tufte, (2001) notes that graphic illustrations of data helps readers grasp what are sometimes confusing and complex data
Effective graphic illustrations are clear, accurate, and not so many in number as to overwhelm the reader

3. Graphic Representations of Data
Expository and technical writing often rely on quantitative data to support assertions
Quantitative data can be used to describe behavior, reveal trends over time, represent natural phenomenon, compare and contrast behavior and phenomenon
Quantitative data can be generated by scientific measurements, surveys, and a variety of methods

4. Graphic Representations of Data
Graphic illustrations can take many forms…Here are just a few:
Pie Chart Scatter Plot Box Plot Contour Maps
Bar Graph

5. Graphic Representations of Data
Graphic illustrations can represent relationships found in data
This graph illustrates a positive correlation between students’ rating of their reading skills (Y Axis) and the scores students got on a reading test (X Axis).
The distribution of scores for two separate behaviors in this case shows readers that students with low test scores are aware of their deficits with reading, and that students with high test scores are aware of their competence with reading

6. Graphic Representations of Data
Graphic illustrations help readers compare and contrast behavior
This graph illustrates how five generations respond to the question of whether they doubt the existence of God, and it traces those responses over time.
The graph is useful because it illustrates trends and represents a distribution of public opinion, but it does not explain how the data was gathered, why the data matters, or why those in the study believed the way they believed. Good graphics need good expository writing.

7. Graphic Representations of Data
Writers should consider the readers’ level of sophistication
This graph depicts the losses sustained by Napoleon’s invasion of (brown line) and retreat from (black line) Russia in It traces temperatures faced by soldiers from Poland to Russia (Tufte, p. 41) Who might this graphic confusing?

8. Graphic Representations of Data
Is my purpose to show readers I know how to make a graph or to help them understand complex issues at a glance?
Which illustration or format will provide readers with the clearest summary of data?
What limitations on graphic illustrations does my publisher impose on this essay?
Do I really need illustrations to make my point?
Which data should be illustrated?

9. Tables Can Be Tricky
Table 1: Persons at the Poverty Level in the U.S. by Selected Characteristics (number in thousands)
Is it correct to say that in 1995, over 36 million people in the U.S. lived in poverty?
Does it matter that the tile of the table and the title in the able do not match?
How can we have a total of % of Americans living in poverty when the totals for the different ethnic groups add up to more than 13.8%?
Below Poverty
1995
1994
Characteristic
Number
Percent
Total
36,425
13.8
38,059
14.5
White
24,423
11.2
25,379
11.7
Black
9,872
9.3
10,196
30.6
Asian
1,411
14.6
974
Hispanic/Latino
8,574
30.3
8,416
30.7
[Adapted from M. Schield, Statistical Literacy

10. Tips for Using Graphic Illustrations
Reach out. Explore options with experts and potential readers before you complete your composition
Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the style in which you are required to write; MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style and other styles have specific rules about graphic organizers
Ensure that the assertions in the composition are aligned with what the data tells readers, and that graphics are properly labeled and legible