Information, Education and Communication: Preparation of Graphs


Purposes of charts:

  1. To show relationships by means of facts, figures or statistics.
  2. To present materials symbolically.
  3. To summarize information.
  4. To show continuity in process.
  5. To present abstract ideas in visual form.
  6. To show the development of structures.
  7. To create problems and to stimulate thinking.
  8. To encourage utilization of other media of communication.
  9. To motivate a students desire to continue related research.


Some basic resources for developing charts:

  1. Developing a Scrap File: Cut out illustrations, pictures, photographs, advertisements, visual and other pictorial Materials from the news papers and other pictorial magazines like life, Illustrated Weekly, Dharam Mug, Readers Digest, etc. Arrange them under different sub-heads according to the different categories of the pictures or Illustrations. In many cases where it is not possible to cut an illustration from a text book or a pictorial Encyclopaedia, you can trace the same on tracing paper or a butter paper and thus incorporate the same in your life.
  2. Collections of picture post-cards and pictorial pamphlets.
  3. Informative and pictorial literature available free from different sources.
  4. Similar collections from big industrial concerns and public exhibitions.


Some basic steps in planning and preparing a chart:

  1. Concept or theme to be developed in the chart: Clearly analyze the main theme in various relationships which are to be depicted in the chart.
  2. Visualization and illustration of ideas: Make different rough sketches. Draw upon the files and collections as listed above, You can compose and enlarge different illustrations and pictures. Try different pay out patterns to get the most effective one.
  3. Transfer your ideas from your sketched plan to your chart. Try different lay our patterns to get the most effective Design. If colors are used, a pencilled sketch on the chart paper will be helpful in order to have guide lines with Which to work.
  4. Lettering the Charts: Dynamism in lettering makes the charts more effective. Lettering adds meaning, Appeal, Direction, Emphasis and Organization to the chart. Keep the following points in view: Style, Color, Size Difference between similar letters spacing between letters, wide of strokes and Colour contrast.


  1. Procure a sheet of drawing paper, tracing cloth, or other suitable material slightly larger than the over-all Dimensions of the chart and mount it on a drawing board.
  2. Frame in the working area in which the chart is to be laid out with the widest dimension at the top. Accordingly, a distance of 20 inches is scaled off across the sheet and 14 inches from top to bottom. The plotting points are connected by light pencil lines with a T square and triangle to form a rectangle 14 By 20 inches. When the chart is completed, these lines, if desired, may be incorporated into a boarder design. All elements of the chart will be included within the limits of the penciled boarder lines.
  3. The title of the chart is sketched in pencil at the top of the working area in order to determine the exact amount of Space required for this purpose. The size of the chart, as well as the amount of reduction, will decide largely The size and spacing of the lettering for the title. With out exception, the lettering for the title is larger than any Other lettering on the chart. However, to achieve well-balanced composition, neither large or conspicuous. In measuring the height of the letters and spacing of lines for the title, measurements are made from the top Border line. The arrangement of the title across the chart should be centered between the side borders.
  4. The spacing and lettering for the vertical and horizontal scale legends and figures are roughed in. Measurements are made from the respective vertical and horizontal borders, but centered with reference to the Grid. Generally, all lettering on the chart except for the title, is of uniform size. The area remaining after the title, Scale figures, scale legends, and necessary spacing have been determined will represent the main body of the chart. The various steps described thus far are applicable to such widely used graphic forms as the rectilinear coordinate charts, bar and column charts, and the semilogarithmic chart.
  5. If the chart is a rectilinear line graph, the horizontal and vertical scales are completed, including grid lines and Scale points. The lettering for scale figures and scale legends is next completed.
  6. The data re plotted on the grid. The plotting points are usually dots or small crosses.
  7. The successive plotting points are then connected by straight lines, which are referred to in statistical terminology As Curves. If there are two or more curves, they are differentiated by distinctive line patterns.
  8. Curve legends and any necessary explanatory statements are lettered on the chart.
  9. The chart, which has been drawn entirely in pencil, is carefully checked for completeness , clarity, and accuracy. Particular consideration should be given to the scales, plotting of the data, wording of the title, spelling, And punctuation.
  10. The chart is inked in. This should be done with meticulous care with proper materials and equipment.
  11. The entire chart is checked again for errors and omissions.
  12. The chart is cleaned with Atrium.