Presentation that communicates.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
A title stating the finding, not the subject Labelled axes with units A source note
THE TITLE POINT
"Revenue by month" describes.
"Revenue fell in the second half" communicates.
Use the finding as the title where there is one.
WHAT TO REMOVE
Gridlines beyond the minimum Decorative effects Legends where direct labelling works Unnecessary decimal places
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Starting a value axis above zero, which exaggerates differences Inconsistent scales between charts being compared Colours that carry no meaning
WHAT COLOUR SHOULD DO
Highlight one thing, or distinguish categories consistently.
Not decorate.
WHAT TO CHECK
Whether it reads when printed in black and white Whether it reads on a phone
WHAT TO ORDER
Categories by value, not alphabetically, unless order matters.
WHAT TO ANNOTATE
Anything requiring explanation, on the chart itself.
WHAT TO TEST
Show it to someone and ask what it says.
