Module 25 - Using Visuals

Module 25 discusses how to use visuals effectively and ethically. The number of visuals used depends on the purpose of the presenter. More visuals are good for showing relationships and persuading, when information is complex or contains extensive numerical data, and when the audiences values visuals. Visuals should tell a story that supports your claim, challenges so-called “common knowledge”, shows trends or changes you didn’t know existed, has commercial or social significance, provides information needed for action, or is personally relevant to you or the audience. Focusing on a topic, simplifying data, or looking for relationships and changes can create stories.
The type of visual used should also be taken into consideration. Tables are used to identify exact values. Charts or graphs are used to have the reader focus on relationships. Pie charts, for example, compares parts to a whole, while bar charts or line graphs compare one item to another item, or items over time.
Every visual needs to contain: 1) a title, 2) clearly stated data, 3) clearly labeled units, 4) identifiable axes, colors, symbols, etc., 5) the source of the data, and 6) the source of the visual.
Visuals should also be checked for accuracy and ethicality. This can be done by differentiating between actual and estimated or projected values, avoiding perspective and three-dimensional graphs, avoiding combining graphs with different scales, careful use of people in histographs to avoid sexist, racist, or other exclusionary visuals statements. Also, presentation visuals should simplify the paper visuals in the document. Making effective visuals comes down to making them informative and appealing.