How to use line graphs in technical writing; what kid of data they're used to show, different kinds of charts, how to describe them and language tips for describing change and time.

1. Line
Graphs
Line
Graphsin technical writing

2. OUTCOMES

3. OUTCOMES
Define line graphs

4. OUTCOMES
Explain how line
graphs are used

5. OUTCOMES
Create effective line
graphs

6. OUTCOMES
Describe the contents
of a line graph

7. Function
of line graphs

8. a graphic that shows the
relationship between
two variables

9. most commonly, line graphs
show how something
changes over time

10. line graphs can accommodate
much more data than bar
charts or pie charts

11. They’re useful for identifying
patterns and trends in data

12. multiple lines can be
used to compare trends

13. Types
of line graphs

14. Basic

15. Basic
used to display one trend or theme

16. Multiple

17. Multiple
used to display multiple relationships

18. Area Graph

19. Area Graph
makes it easier to highlight
certain points

20. Multiple Area

21. Multiple Area
shows the relationship between
sum totals

22. Production
of line graphs

23. x-axis
y-axis
continuous
variable
measurement
0
25
50
75
100
April May June July

24. plot the measurement for
each point on the x-axis

25. join the plotted points in
together with a line

26. don’t use more than 3-4
lines in one graph

27. mark each individual
data point

28. make sure to label your
lines

29. Describing
line graphs

30. Line graphs describe
change

31. so answer the question
“what changed?”

32. You should also answer
some other questions…

33. How did it change?
How much?
How quickly?
You should also answer
some other questions…

34. state the trend

35. explain the
overall change
in the graph

36. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.

37. give details

38. describe any
significant points
of change

39. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.
Details
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000 between
January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around 10,000 sales in
May. Sales for the Ford Mustang started at around 3,000 in January and rose
slightly in February before there was a sharp increase to around 8,250 in March.
Sales of the Mustang then steadily declined in the following two months.

40. restate the
main idea

41. conclude by
repeating the main
trend

42. but use
different language

43. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.
Details
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000 between
January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around 10,000 sales in
May. Sales for the Ford Mustang started at around 3,000 in January and rose
slightly in February before there was a sharp increase to around 8,250 in March.
Sales of the Mustang then steadily declined in the following two months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Camaro sold a lot more cars, sales of both models
followed a similar pattern, increasing early in the year before coming down
again.

44. use a combination
of adjective + noun
and verb + adverb
to avoid repetition
tip:

45. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.
Details
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000 between
January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around 10,000 sales in
May. Sales for the Ford Mustang started at around 3,000 in January and rose
slightly in February before there was a sharp increase to around 8,250 in March.
Sales of the Mustang then steadily declined in the following two months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Camaro sold a lot more cars, sales of both models
followed a similar pattern, increasing early in the year before coming down
again.

46. combine longer periods
with little change
tip:

47. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.
Details
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000 between
January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around 10,000 sales in
May. Sales for the Ford Mustang started at around 3,000 in January and rose
slightly in February before there was a sharp increase to around 8,250 in March.
Sales of the Mustang then steadily declined in the following two months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Camaro sold a lot more cars, sales of both models
followed a similar pattern, increasing early in the year before coming down
again.

48. don't describe the line,
describe what the line
represents
tip:

49. 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
January February March April May
Camaro
Mustang
Figure 1. Total Sales Camaro and Mustang: January - May, 2016
Trend
As we can see, sales of both cars climbed in the early part of the year before
dropping off.
Details
Sales of the Chevrolet Camaro rose steadily from 5,500 to 11,000 between
January and April. This was followed by a slight drop to around 10,000 sales in
May. Sales for the Ford Mustang started at around 3,000 in January and rose
slightly in February before there was a sharp increase to around 8,250 in March.
Sales of the Mustang then steadily declined in the following two months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Camaro sold a lot more cars, sales of both models
followed a similar pattern, increasing early in the year before coming down
again.

50. Language
change and time

56. SUMMARY