7. Using Visual Aids to Communicate.

7. Using Visual Aids to Communicate. Whether your presentation is long or short,
written or oral, visual aids usually enhance it. When business data seem complex, visuals
can make the interpretation of these facts much easier. Graphs, charts, and tables clarify
the data being presented as well as illustrate relationships amongst them. Graphics should
be included to clarify, supplement, or complement the information being presented.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Visuals: The type of visual you select should be
appropriate for your audience, your communication purpose, and the type of data you are
presenting.
Audience: Before selecting and designing your visual, analyze your audience carefully.
Purpose and data analysis: Always be sure your data clarifies the concept or answers the
question you are trying to explain.
Graphs & Charts: Graphs and charts are often used to express relationships among data
as well as trends in sales, losses, inventory levels, and so forth over a period of time.
„h Line or curve charts: These are a series of points connected by a straight or
curved line to reflect a change over a period of time. When different colored inks
or different line configurations such as a broken line, a dotted line, or a solid line
are used, readers can easily note relationships and trends among data.
„h Bar charts: Bar charts (either vertical or horizontal) show the relationship by
using bars of different lengths to reflect quantitative differences in the data.
Sometimes the actual numerical data is included on or near the bars. (Variations
of the bar chart ¡V component bar chart).
„h Pie charts: A pie chart is drawn in the shape of a circle. The entire area of the
circle is considered to represent 100% of a given total. A pie chart that is broken
into segments without any indication of percentages has questionable reliability
and should be viewed with caution.
„h Tables: Tables help to convey messages by making data easier to interpret. Tables
also permit the reader to easily contrast and compare information, retain it, and
quickly note similarities and differences. If a table is labeled and explained
separately from the text, it is considered independent of the text. If all explanatory
information is in the text, the table is considered dependent on the text.