The document provides an overview of line graphs in technical writing, detailing their importance in showing relationships between variables, particularly changes over time. It describes how to create effective line graphs, analyze trends, and communicate findings clearly using examples of sales data for cars. The document emphasizes key practices for writing about line graphs, such as providing context, answering critical questions, and describing the data accurately.

1. Line Graphs
in technical writing

2. OUTCOMES

3. OUTCOMES
De
fi
ne line graphs

4. OUTCOMES
Explain how line
graphs are used

5. OUTCOMES
Create effective line
graphs

6. OUTCOMES
Produce effective bar
charts

7. OUTCOMES
Describe the contents
of a line graph

8. Function
What are they used for?
1.

9. Line graphs show the relationship
between two variables

10. most commonly, line graphs show
how something changes over time

11. They can accommodate much more
data than bar charts or pie charts

12. They’re useful for identifying
patterns and trends in data

13. multiple lines can be used to
compare multiple trends

14. Types
Different kinds of line graphs
2.

15. Basic

16. Basic
used to display one trend or theme

17. Multiple

18. Multiple
Used to display multiple relationships

19. Area

20. Area
make it easier to highlight certain points

21. Production
How to make line graphs
3.

22. x axis
continuous variable
y axis
measurement

23. plot the measurement for each point
on the x-axis

24. join the plotted points in together with
a line

25. don’t use more than 3-4 lines in one
graph

26. make sure to label your lines

27. 4.
Analyzing and
Describing
Writing about line graphs

28. Line graphs describe change

29. So we need to answer the
question ‘what changed?’

30. You should also answer some
other questions…

31. number your scales in units familiar
to your audience

32. How did it change?
How much?
How quickly?

33. Stating the Trend

34. Describe the
overall change in
the graph

35. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early
part of the year before dropping o
ff
.

36. Give Examples

37. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000
between January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around
10,000 sales in May. Similarly, sales for the Ford Mustang started at
around 3,000 in January and rose slightly in February before there was a
sharp increase to around 8,250 in March. However, sales of the Mustang
then steadily declined in the following two months.

38. Describe each line
separately

39. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000
between January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around
10,000 sales in May. Similarly, sales for the Ford Mustang started at
around 3,000 in January and rose slightly in February before there was a
sharp increase to around 8,250 in March. However, sales of the Mustang
then steadily declined in the following two months.

40. Mention any
signi
fi
cant points
of change

41. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000
between January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around
10,000 sales in May. Similarly, sales for the Ford Mustang started at
around 3,000 in January and rose slightly in February before there was a
sharp increase to around 8,250 in March. However, sales of the Mustang
then steadily declined in the following two months.

42. Combines longer
periods together

43. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000
between January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around
10,000 sales in May. Similarly, sales for the Ford Mustang started at
around 3,000 in January and rose slightly in February before there was a
sharp increase to around 8,250 in March. However, sales of the Mustang
then steadily declined in the following two months.

44. Restate the
Main Idea

45. Conclude by
repeating the
overall change

46. But use different
language

47. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
In conclusion, while the Camaro sold a lot more cars, sales of
both models followed a similar pattern, increasing early in the
year before coming down again.

49. Use a combination of
‘adjective + noun’ and ‘noun
+ adjective’ structures.
Tip:

50. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2019
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000
between January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around
10,000 sales in May. Similarly, sales for the Ford Mustang started at
around 3,000 in January and rose slightly in February before there was a
sharp increase to around 8,250 in March. However, sales of the Mustang
then steadily declined in the following two months.

51. Review