Basic

Charts &
Graphs
Basic steps on how to know
which graphic to use for your story.
By Jeff Goertzen

Basic Charts & Graphs

DATA
THE RIGHT GRAPHIC FOR THE JOB
RAW DATA

Before you begin using graphics in your newspaper,

you must first know what type of graphics are out there
and which one is appropriate for the information you
have available. Most all data can be charted into at least
one of four types of graphics pie charts, bar charts,
fever charts and tab charts. And each one of these
graphics is designed to illustrate information in its own
way. When deciding which graphic is appropriate, it is
also important to look for key words used in the stories
or headlines that suggest movement or change. Such
words can be clues to the kind of graphic that is right
for that story.

U.S. EXPORTS TO THE CARIBBEAN

FLORIDA

56%

NEW ORLEANS

9%

PUERTO RICO

9%

HOUSTON

6%

OTHER

20%

TOTAL

100%

What graphic is appropriate for the information at right? In the

following pages, well use this information to explain how it can be
used for each type of graphic.

Basic Charts & Graphs

PIE CHARTS
WORDS TO USE OR LOOK FOR:
Share, majority, minority, partner, control
A pie chart only works with percentage figures. It is a
comparison of percentages and a comparison of
size.Each portion in a pie chart represents its value in
size and the sum of each portion must total 100 percent
both visually and statistically. Because our original
information is a set of percentage figures whose sum is
100%, the best way to illustrate this comparison is with
a pie chart.

Caribbean partnership
In 1999, Florida accounted for 56% of all U.S.
exports to the Caribbean
Other

20%
Houston

6%
Puerto
Rico

This pie chart shows how the market of exports to the Caribbean
is divided between various U.S. ports. At a glance, we see that
Florida accounts for more than 50 percent. This pie chart also
works because the total sum of the values is 100 percent. The
headline Caribbean partnership also emphasizes portions or
sharing. A good headline that reinforces the visual implications of a
pie chart.

Florida

56%

9%
New Orleans

9%
Source: Greenheart International

TBJ

Basic Charts & Graphs

BAR CHARTS
KEY WORDS TO USE OR LOOK FOR:
Gain, lead, growth, record, compare, stack
A bar chart is also a visual comparison, but it compares
quantity (How much?, How many?, How far?, or How
high?) in units of measurement plotted over a value
scale. Effective bar charts show greater variation from
one bar to the next. These charts can be used for any
numbers as long as they are all the same units of measurements. For instance, you should never compare percentages to miles, or miles to dollars. Also, bar charts
are a nice alternative to pie charts if the values of a pie
chart do not total 100 percent.

Who's got the lead?

In 1999, exports from Florida to the Caribbeans
showed increased.
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

In this bar chart, we used the same information that was in the
previous pie chart. But now, the images we use to represent the
percentages paint a different picture. The bars visually indicate distance or height., whereas the portions of the pie chart indicate
quantity or volume. So perhaps words such as growth, or lead
would work better in the headline of this graphic to emphasize
what we are actually seeing.

10%

0%

Florida

New
Orleans

Puerto Houston
Rico

Source: Greenheart International

Other
TBJ

Basic Charts & Graphs

Caribbean partnership
In 1999, Florida accounted for 56% of all U.S.
exports to the Caribbean

56%

20%
In the event that it is necessary to indicate the values of each
bar, you can eliminate the value scale to simplify the graphic.

Florida

9%

9%

New
Orleans

Puerto
Rico

Source: Greenheart International

6%
Houston Other
TBJ

Basic Charts & Graphs

FEVER CHARTS
KEY WORDS TO USE OR LOOK FOR:
Rebound, surge, burst, fall, decline, dip, plunge
A fever chart is designed to track the movement or change
of a particular item over a period of time. Therefore, it
must have a value scale (vertical) and a time scale (horizontal).

Rebound in exports
In 1999, exports from Florida to the Caribbeans
showed increased.
60%

50%

40%

In this example we were unable to use our original information.

Remember, the original information was a comparison of values
from five different locations. If we were to graph the data as a
fever chart, we would not have a time scale. However, suppose we
take one of the locations from the information Florida and
track its annual percentage records since 1995, then we can create
a fever chart. A change of the headline with the word rebound
reinforces what the graphic is illustrating.

30%

20%

10%

0%

'95

'96

'97

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

Basic Charts & Graphs

TAB CHARTS
KEY WORDS TO USE OR LOOK FOR:
Compilation, figures, statistics, numbers, data
Tabulation charts are a compilation of data that would be
used for pie charts, bar charts and fever charts, all thrown
into one graphic. Its a mixed bag of information that
cant be presented any other way. Visually, the dont illustrate anything.

The information used in the previous examples would never

make for a tabulation chart. However, if we were to obtain additional data, such as percentage increase and profits in dollars for
the year of 1999, then we could create a complete tab chart. The
headline for the graphic is now more general and doesnt suggest
comparison or movement.

Exports by the numbers

In 1999, exports from Florida to the Caribbeans
showed increased.
%
inrease

Profits

56%

4%

$2.4

New Orleans

9%

7%

$1.4

Puerto Rico

9%

3%

$1.5

Houston

6%

5%

$2.1

20%

12%

$2.7

Port

Total %

Florida

Other

Source: Greenheart International

TBJ

Basic Charts & Graphs

TABOOS
PIE CHARTS THAT DONT ADD UP
As mentioned earlier, pie charts only work when the sum
of the values total 100 percent. Check your information
before anything. Make sure your figures add up. If they
dont, then present the figures as a bar chart.

Not quite right

Florida may own 56 percent of this chart, but
somehow, the figures don't quite add up.
Houston

26%
Florida

56%

Puerto
Rico

9%
Check the data in this pie chart. What would be the appropriate
measure to take given that the information in this chart is incomplete?

New Orleans

7%
Source: Greenheart International

TBJ

CHECK THE DATA

Basic Charts & Graphs

PIE CHARTS THAT SAY NOTHING

Your figures may total 100 percent, but may say nothing visually. Evaluate what it is you want the chart to
show. Make sure it shows the reader something important. Dont try to make something out of nothing.

Any time that you compare 50 percent of one thing to 50

percent of another, youre wasting your time trying to show
a comparison. Theres nothing to compare here. Your readers arent dumb. So consider another alternative.

Nearly even
Preliminary poles indicate that Gore and Bush
are nearly even. Duh!

Gore

Bush

49%

51%

Source: Greenheart International

TBJ

DOES THIS VISUALLY

HELP THE READER?

Basic Charts & Graphs

PIE CHARTS THAT SAY TOO MUCH

There must be a limit to the amount of divisions a pie
chart has. Especially if the portions are visually equal.
This is a subjective call, but as an editor, evaluate the
information and ask yourself what does this graphic
trying to say? If it is just a bunch of figures, look for
other ways to present the information that will encourage the reader to study the graphic.

Too many pieces!

Can we squeeze any more percentages into this
pie chart? If so, what good is it?
Puerto Rico
Florida
Florida
12%
13%
New
50%
New York
Orleans

9%

11%

North
Carolina

Texas

11%

7%

California

South
Carolina
Since there is no dominating figure in this pie chart, it
might be better to select only the significant percentages
and compare them in a bar chart. Visually, the pie chart
doesnt say anything accept that everyone has a piece of
the pie.

9%

9%
Virginia

Mississippi

8%

11%

Source: Greenheart International

TBJ

WHAT DOES
THIS SHOW?

10

Basic Charts & Graphs

DISTORTING INFORMATION
There are far too many times that the figures we plot in
our graphics dont show much change. The common
tendency is to cut the value scales and stretch the bars
or fever lines. This is acceptable, but to a certain
degree. Be sure you realize that the more you exaggerate the scales the more you change the story.

KEY WORD

Construction grows slightly

The number of homes built in 1999 showed an
increase from last year .
20

(In thousands)

SLIGHT
GROWTH

15

10

Lets start with this bar chart. Visually, the bars indicate a
slow, gradual increase of the number of homes constructed
in the U.S. The title to the graphic supports that.

'95

'96

'97

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

11

Basic Charts & Graphs

KEY WORD

Construction climbs upward

The number of homes built in 1999 showed an
increase from last year.
(In thousands)
20

SIGNIFICANT
CLIMB

19

Now we cut the value scale and begin at 15 thousand

using the same height. The bars increase significantly. Now
the story changes. The title says climbs upward as
opposed to grows slightly. Were still ok.

18

17

16

15

'95

'96

'97

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

12

Basic Charts & Graphs

KEY WORD

Construction's big boom

The number of homes built in 1999 showed an
increase from last year.
20

(In thousands)
MAJOR
INCREASE

This time weve cut the value scale even further, beginning at 17 thousand and at the same height, the bars show
a significant change. The headline indicates a boom in
construction. Fact or fiction?

19

18

17

'95

'96

'97

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

13

Basic Charts & Graphs

Construction's big boom

The number of homes built in 1999 showed an
increase from last year.

NO VALUE SCALES

19.8

(In thousands)

Its ok to use bar charts without value scales, as long as

you indicate the values of each bar and begin the base
of the bars at value zero on the value scale.

18.9
18.7 18.8
CORRECT
DIFFERENCE?

17.8

'95

'96

'97

'98

'99

Source: Greenheart International

The first chart (above right) is visually inaccurate.

Although the numbers are correct, the scale of the bars are
not. If the height of the first bar is really 17.8, the the second bar (18.7) should only be slightly higher. The reader
assumes that the scale begins at zero, when it really begins
at 17. The chart below is a correct version because it tells
the reader that the base is 17.

TBJ

Construction's big boom

The number of homes built in 1999 showed an
increase from last year.

19.8

(In thousands)

18.9
18.7 18.8
17.8

BASE VALUE

17
'95

'96

'97

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

14

Basic Charts & Graphs

INCOMPLETE TIME SCALES

Fever charts should only be used when the time scale is
complete. That means, the time increments from value
to the next is consistent. If a year is missing or skips,

Daycares gain popularity

then its best to create a bar chart.

The number of children in daycare centers in the

U.S. has more than doubled in the last decade .
20

(In millions)

15

This fever chart should have been a bar chart. Too many
years are missing for it to be an accurate representation of
a period of time. If only one year were missing, then you
could have shown a break in the scale and still kept it as a
fever chart.

10

CHECK YEARS

'90

'95

'96

Source: Greenheart International

'98

'99
TBJ

15

Basic Charts & Graphs

NO TIME SCALES
Fever charts should never be represented without time
scales. Any such data should be plotted as a bar chart.
Remember that the purpose of a fever chart is to show
or record the change of a value over a period of time.

Airfares take a hike

Average amount of airfare increases by major
airlines.
20%

15%

The information in this fever chart was intended to compare the amounts of fare increases between various airline
companies. It doesnt show us anything.

10%

5%

IS THIS A
SCALE?

USAir

United

TWA

Source: Greenheart International

American

Delta
TBJ

16