Will a Chart or Graph Help or Hinder?

By Dianna Booher

One benefit of charts and graphs is that they make facts or statistics more explicit and memorable by showing relationships. They tell readers how to interpret the data—what the facts or numbers mean.

On the other hand, some writers approach the question of charts and graphs haphazardly and wind up adding far too many, simply because they find them easy to create with their favorite software package.

Use the following checklist to cull unnecessary graphics from your documents:

Does the chart or graph emphasize trivial or irrelevant information?

Can the information be included in another graphic without cluttering it?

Does the information confuse rather than clarify?

Has the information already been included simply and emphatically in the text?

Like Goldilocks’ porridge, your use of visuals to convey your message should be “just right.”

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Dianna Booher works with organizations to increase their productivity and effectiveness through better oral, written, interpersonal, and cross-functional communication.She is a keynote speaker and the author of more than 40 books (22 on communication) including The Voice of Authority, Booher's Rules of Business Grammar, Speak with Confidence, and Communicate with Confidence. Dianna is CEO of Booher Consultants, a communication training firm offering programs in presentations skills, business writing, and interpersonal communication. Successful Meetings Magazine named her to its list of “21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century.” Executive Excellence Publishing also named Dianna to its “Top 100 Thought Leaders” and “Top 100 Minds on Personal Development.” www.booher.com or call 800.342.6621.

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