Graph Design Best Practices Quiz

Gridlines, even muted, should not be used when the graph includes numeric labels on each data point. 2 1 0 n/a Graph does not have ______ line

Graph should bleed into the surrounding page or slide rather than being contained by a ______. 2 1 0 n/a

Axes do not have unnecessary tick marks or axis lines. Tick marks can be useful in line graphs but are unnecessary in most other graph types. Remove axes lines whenever ______. 2 1 0 n/a

Graph has one horizontal and one vertical ______.

Graphs should have a 'so what?' – either a practical or statistical significance to warrant their presence. For example, contextualized or comparison data help the viewer understand the significance of the data and give the graph more interpretive ______. 2 1 0 n/a

The type of graph is appropriate for ______.

Titles are in a larger size than ______ or annotations

The smallest text - axis labels - are at least 9 point font size on paper, at least 20 on ______

Titles, subtitles, annotations, and data labels are ______

Consider switching graph ______ to make text horizontal

Position data labels near the data rather than in a separate ______

Improper arrangement of graph elements can confuse readers at best and mislead viewer at worst. Thoughtful arrangement makes a data visualization easier for a viewer to ______

Rather than a generic phrase, use a descriptive sentence that encapsulates the graph’s finding or “so what?” Western cultures start reading in the upper left, so locate the ______ there.

Guideline Rating 6-12 word descriptive ______ is left-justified in upper left corner. Short titles enable readers to comprehend takeaway messages even while quickly skimming the graph.

Subtitles and ______ provide additional information. Subtitles and annotations (call-out text within the graph) can add explanatory and interpretive power to a graph.

Text Graphs don't contain much text, so existing text must encapsulate your message and pack a ______.

Rather than a generic phrase, use a descriptive sentence that encapsulates the graph’s finding or “so what?” Western cultures start reading in the upper left, so locate the title ______.

Guideline Rating 6-12 word descriptive title is left-justified in upper left ______. Short titles enable readers to comprehend takeaway messages even while quickly skimming the graph.