Albert Einstein once said, "I rarely think in words at all." He thought in symbols and pictures; he envisioned concepts and information. This concept is essential for writers to understand. Sometimes words aren't sufficient or aren't as efficient as other alternatives, such as tables, graphs, charts, photographs, maps, and drawings.

Visual aids, or graphics as they are often called, bring information to life and help you to get your point across. They –

• Communicate what words cannot
• Are understood more quickly than words
• Help readers retain information and learn
• Entice readers

Consider the needs of readers as you decide how to use and the appropriate graphics and visual aids.

The following section summarizes the key types of visuals; you'll then read about each one in depth.

1. Use tables to organize information.

Tables are good at presenting a lot of information in a relatively small space and for depicting complex information, usually text, or numbers, in columns and rows. Tables do not depict trends or reveal patterns. Tables are labeled as tables; all other graphics are figures.

Table 1

Spending for the Holiday Gift Season

Income-level	Amount
Under $15,000	$236
$15,000-$25,000	$336
$25,000-$35,000	$373
$35,000-$50,000	$481
$50,000 and over	$662

 

2. Use charts and graphs to represent relationships among data.

If you need to emphasize trends, add credibility, interest the reader in data, or forecast future values, charts or graphs are very useful. Graphs rely on two axes (vertical and horizontal) to show relationships between two variables. It is best to label both axes. Charts display relationships without using a coordinate system. Some, such as pie charts, do so by showing percentages of a whole; others, such as bar charts, compare items or show correlations. There are many kinds of charts and graphs.

 

 

3. Use diagrams to show connections among parts or other relationships. Diagrams are ideal devices to show details and dimensions.

 

http://www.cut-the-knot.com/LewisCarroll/devlin.html

 

4. Use drawings to present physical appearance, create impressions, and to illustrate spatial relationships and views of components.

http://www.wjoyner.com/html/knot_tying.htm

 

5. Use photographs or illustrations to record reality, define and provide examples.

Photographs and illustrations are useful when you don't have time or expertise to create a drawing or when the external appearance is the focus (rather than the components). They are also excellent to show authenticity or if you want to show an event or phenomenon over time.

6. Use maps to show location of objects in space and relationships between objects and phenomena.

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/digital/tour.html

7. Use icons to label objects, jog memories, and provide simple visual representations of actions, concepts, or objects.

 

Learn more about using these elements:
Tables-->