[高校科研学术英文论文写作规范教学课件]梁How_to_Prepare_Effective_Graphs.ppt

A Revolution in the History of Science Galileo who made his thought graphically visible Terminology graph diagram profile figure chart plot illustration A Quote A good illustration can help the scientist to be heard when speaking, to be read when writing. It can help in the sharing of information with other scientists. It can help to convince granting agencies to fund the research. It can help in the teaching of students. It can help to inform the public of the value of the work. —Mary Helen Briscoe The Definition of a Graph A diagram that represents the variation of a variable in comparison with that of one or more other variables — Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary The Definition of Graphs Basically, graphs are pictorial tables (called line drawing in printing terminology). The Functions of Illustrations To summarize and emphasize key points of the paper. To reduce the length of the text. To simplify information without omitting important considerations. To enhance the reader’s understanding of the main points. To improve overall conciseness of the paper. To improve clarity. To add visual appeal to the paper. First Thing First Raise the question “whether to” before you consider the “how to” of graphs. Do not turn into graphs, either, the data that should not be tabulated. Whether to Illustrate Do not construct a graph unless repetitive data must be presented (the same general rule applied to whether or not to construct a table). Do not dress up your data, i.e., do not convert a few data elements into an impressive-looking graph or a table. Describe one value (only one curve on a proposed graph, which is really significant, either a maximum or a minimum) in one statement. An Unnecessary Graph Replace the Example Graph with a Statement “Among the test group of 56 patients who were hospitalized for an average of 14 days, 6 acquired infections.” A Table or a Graph? The exact numerical values? or Simply a picture of the trend or shape of