The document describes the characteristics of a good graph, including using a ruler, giving the graph a title, labeling the axes and including units, numbering the axes such that the graph takes up half the page and numbers increase in consistent intervals, and drawing a best fit line rather than connecting data points. It then provides an example of a bad graph that lacks clear labels and spacing and wastes space, and notes issues one could find with it.

1. Graphing in Biology (pg 6)

2. Characteristics of a good graph
1. Use a ruler

3. Characteristics of a good graph
1. Use a ruler
2. Give your graph a title (y vs. x)

4. Characteristics of a good graph
1. Use a ruler
2. Give your graph a title (y vs. x)
3. Label the axes and give units

5. Characteristics of a good graph
1. Use a ruler
2. Give your graph a title
3. Label the axes and give units
4. Number the axes such that:
a. The graph takes up at least half the page
b. The numbers increase in “nice” intervals
c. The intervals between numbers are
consistent

6. Characteristics of a good graph
1. Use a ruler
2. Give your graph a title
3. Label the axes and give units
4. Number the axes such that:
a. The graph takes up at least half the page
b. The numbers increase in “nice” intervals
c. The intervals between numbers are
consistent
5. Don’t connect the dots! Draw a best fit
line

7. O.K. Now you’re done taking
notes. Lets look at some
examples:

8. Example: Bad Graph
Note the lack of clear axis labels, the unequal spacing of labels on the horizontal axis,
too small plot symbols, lots of wasted space because the range of the vertical axis is
much larger than needed to accommodate the values in the graph.

9. How many problems can you find
with this graph?

10. you
There's no title. What's it a graph of? Who knows?
There are no labels on the x or y axis. What are those numbers? Who knows?
There are no units on the x or y axis. Is this a graph of speed in miles per hour or a
graph of temperature in Kelvins? Who can tell?
Somebody played "connect the dots". This should be a nice straight line which goes
through the points or a curve that tends to follow them.

11. A Good Graph!

12. Output
• Paste the provided data on the top of
page 7 of your interactive notes
• Below that, graph the data using all the
characteristics of a good graph

13. Steps for Graphing
1. Draw your axes
2. Give your graph a title
3. Label the axes. Put height on the y-axis and
time on the x-axis
4. Put units in parentheses after each label
5. Number your axes
6. Plot the points for container 1, then draw a
best-fit line
7. Plot the points for containers 2 and 3 in
different colors and give each a best fit line