Incorporating Statistics, Graphs, and Illustrations
Charts, graphs, statistics, illustrations, and other visuals strengthen and support
arguments in your research paper in the following ways:


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By presenting data simply and clearly
By presenting numerical relationships visually
By capturing your reader’s attention
Types of Visuals
You can use different types of visuals in a research paper, including the
following:
Charts and Graphs

Pie chart
o Purpose: Illustrates the entirety of something divided into parts
o Example:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/3a.ht
ml

Gantt chart
o Purpose: Displays a schedule or timeline as a bar chart
o Example:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/3b.ht
ml

Flow chart
o Purpose: Shows the order of steps in a process
o Example: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_97.htm

Horizontal bar graph
o Purpose: Uses rectangular bars to compare two or more values
o Example:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/3c.ht
ml

Vertical bar graph
o Purpose: Uses rectangular bars to compare two or more values
o Example:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/3d.ht
ml

Line graph
o Purpose: Uses points to create a line in order to show comparisons
o Example:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/3e.ht
ml
Tables
o Purpose: Arranges data in rows and columns
o Example: See Ch. 1 in Axia College’s Writing Style Handbook at
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP.pdf
Illustrations

Timeline
o Purpose: Shows a sequence of events, such as historical or scientific
events
o Example: http://www.microsoft.com/education/timelinesword.mspx

Drawings
o Purpose: Conveys information that is better understood visually, for
example, a political cartoon, a map, or a drawing to illustrate parts of a tool
or a piece of technology
o Example: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/telephone1.htm

Pictures or art
o Visually convey a powerful image
o Example: http://www.axiacollege.com/how-axia-college-works.asp
Selecting Appropriate Visuals
You must use visuals sparingly to maximize their impact—approximately one to
three visuals in appropriate locations in your research paper. In order to decide
the best type of visual to use, consider the following questions:

Can the visual convey information better than words can? Use a visual
only if the visual can better explain the concept than you can explain it with
words. If you write a paper about the dangers of mines, for example, including
a random piece of flower clip art will not mean much to the reader; however,
showing before and after photos of an area that has been mined could make
a powerful impact.

At what skill level is my audience? Just as you should analyze your
audience before you write your paper, you should also analyze your audience
when considering which types of visuals to use—you want the information
presented to be at the audience’s skill level. Generally, bar charts are easier
for the general public to read and understand, whereas line charts are more
familiar to scientific audiences. If you were to write a paper to argue the
negative effects of second-hand smoke to a general audience, for example, a
chart showing the number of deaths due to second-hand smoke would
probably be more effective than a chart displaying the different levels of
chemicals in the smoke.

What is your paper’s purpose and thesis? Consider using information that
specifically proves your thesis, supports your purpose, and also makes an
impact on the reader. If the purpose of your paper is to convince your
audience not to get into credit card debt (or to get out of it), for example, you
could insert a chart that breaks down the amount individuals spend in interest
every year based on their credit-card balance.

What types of visuals am I able to create? You may have a creative idea
for a visual but not the proper software or technical knowledge to create it.
Choose visuals you can easily create (basic visuals, such as pie and bar
charts, in Microsoft® Word and Excel, for example).
When choosing visuals from the Internet, be sure you do not violate copyright
laws. You can usually find a page on a Web site explaining its copyright laws.
Many will allow you to use the image provided you are not going to sell a
document with the image in it. When in doubt, email the Web site or company for
confirmation that you can use the image in a college paper.
Incorporating Visuals
Once you have selected the types of visuals and the kind of information the
visuals will convey, decide where and how to incorporate each visual into your
paper.
Effective Use of Visuals
Follow the suggestions below for the most common types of visuals:

Place the visual in the most logical place—where your argument in the paper
relates directly to the information in the visual.

Do not include too much information in your visual. A bar chart with 15
different bars, for instance, would overwhelm the reader with too many
graphic effects (such as lines, colors, and so forth) or with too much data.

Use transitional statements to introduce the visual. Consider the following
thesis: Schools need to serve more healthful foods. To support your
argument, you might want to include statistics comparing childhood obesity
today with figures in the past. To introduce a visual comparing these
statistics, you could write, “Researchers have noted that in every decade for
the last 40 years, American children have become more overweight. The
following chart illustrates this point.” Then, place your chart in the paper
following the transitional statements.
Number of Overweight Children
2000
Number of
children in the
thousands
1500
Ages 2-5
1000
Ages 6-9
Ages 10-13
500
0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Years
(Williams, 2006, p. 42)
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Add clear, concise explanations of the visual. Otherwise, your audience may
not understand the visual’s meaning or purpose. If necessary, place a short
explanation underneath the chart.
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Just as with your written sources, you must document visual information using
APA formatting guidelines. For examples, refer to Ch. 1 of Axia College’s
Writing Style Handbook at
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP.pdf.
Additional Resources
For more information on creating and incorporating charts, graphs, tables, and
other visuals into your research paper, refer to the following:

Preparing Effective Charts and Graphs at the Axia College Writing Resources
Web Site:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/techcomm8e/tutorials/chartsgraphs/index.htm
l

Ch. 1 in Axia College’s Writing Style Handbook at
https://axiaecampus.phoenix.edu/Writing_Style_Handbook_AxiaUOP.pdf

Microsoft® Word Tutorial: Creating Tables at
http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/axia/com215/wordchart01.htm
Wrap-Up
If used too often or if used inappropriately, visuals can distract the reader. On the
other hand, visuals can impact readers in powerful and memorable ways. To
select the most effective type of visual for your research paper, consider the skill
level of your audience, the purpose of your paper, and the kind of information you
want to convey. Doing so will not only strengthen the arguments in your paper
but also enhance your credibility as a researcher.