A good graph or chart should clearly convey important information in a visual format to avoid lengthy explanations. When creating a graph, the purpose should be determined and the appropriate variables and relationships identified. The chart type that best visualizes the data to show the overall picture from the audience's perspective should be selected. Good graphs provide a clear visual display to communicate the main point, while bad graphs confuse or misrepresent the data.

1. Good Graphs

2. A picture is worth thousand words

3. Chart or a Graph Remember, give a Graph / Chart only if You want avoid thousand words Clarify not confuse Influence the viewer Convey a bigger picture Less is more with graphs

4. How to create a good graph Ascertain the purpose of the chart. Identify the variables and their relationships. Zero in on to the chart type that best suits to visualize the data to show the big picture Check – does it show a big picture ? Think from the audience view point Hence the need is to know what is a good chart and understand types of charts to present data

5. Components - X axis Y Axis – Customary to use dependant variables. Must be labeled to show range Title of Y Axis must be clear

6. Components – Y axis X axis – Customary to use independent variables like time, months, qtrs, years etc. Must be labeled to show range Title of X axis must provided if the variables on the x axis are not very obvious

7. Components - Title A meaningful title that explains what the graph is all about

8. Components – data labels Data labels are values for easy understanding of data

9. Components - Legend Legend is the key to the data plotted

10. Good vs. Bad Graphs Good graphs will: Give a clear visual display of the point you are trying to make Bad graphs will: Confuse the reader Does not make any sense Misinterpret data Visually

11. Types of Simple Graphs Line Charts Area Charts Column Charts Bar Charts Segmented Bar / Column Charts 100% Segmented Bar/Column Charts Pie Charts Doughnut Charts