Incorporating Statistics, Graphs,
and Illustrations
Statistics, Graphs, and Illustrations
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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
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You may use different types of visuals in a research paper,
including the following:
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Charts and Graphs
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Pie chart: Illustrates the entirety of something divided into
parts (pg 513)
Gantt chart: Displays a schedule or timeline as a bar chart
Flow chart: Shows the order of steps in a process (pg 518)
Horizontal bar graph: Uses rectangular bars to compare two
or more values
Vertical bar graph: Uses rectangular bars to compare two or
more values (pg 515)
Line graph: Uses points to create a line in order to show
comparisons (pg 516)
Types of Visuals
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Tables
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Purpose: Arranges data in rows and columns (pg 514)
Partner Activity!

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Please turn to page 516 in McGraw-Hill and complete the
writing activity.
You may work with a partner!
Types of Visuals
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Illustrations
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Timeline: Shows a sequence of events, such as historical or scientific
events
Drawings: 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
Pictures or art:Visually convey a powerful image
Partner Activity!


Please turn to page 522 in the McGraw-Hill text and
complete the writing activity.
You may work with a partner!
Selecting Appropriate Visuals
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You must use visuals sparingly to maximize their effect—
approximately one to three visuals in appropriate
locations in your research paper. To decide the best type
of visual to use, consider the following questions:
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Can the visual convey information better than words?
Showing before and after photos of an area that has been
mined could make a powerful effect while a picture of a flower
would not make a statement.
Selecting Appropriate Visuals
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At what skill level is my audience? Generally, bar charts
are easier for the general public to read and understand,
whereas line charts are more familiar to scientific audiences.
What is your paper’s purpose and thesis? Consider using
information that specifically proves your thesis, supports your
purpose, and also affects the reader.
What types of visuals am I able to create? Choose
visuals you can easily create (basic visuals, such as pie and bar
charts, in Microsoft® Word and Excel, for example).
Incorporating Visuals
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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
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Place the visual in the most logical place—where your
argument in the paper relates directly to the information
in the visual.
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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.
Effective Use of Visuals
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Use transitional statements to introduce the visual. Consider the
following thesis: Schools need to serve more healthful foods.
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To support your argument, you might want to include statistics
comparing childhood obesity today with figures in the past.
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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.
Individual In Class Assignment
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Complete the Writing Activity hand out
Begin finding or creating visuals for your final paper
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The laptops are available for your use!