Why Are Graphics Effective?

Think about stock information. A financial reporter covering a stock for the first six months of the year would be unlikely to simply list changes in the trading price for each month, like this:

The list gives some information, but it’s challenging to see trends, make comparisons, or draw conclusions from this list. In contrast, take a look at the following display of the same information.

XYZ Stock Performance Comparison to Previous Months, January-June

Does the bar graph give you a better overall picture of what’s happening with this stock? Can you easily draw a conclusion at a glance?

A graphic display is a powerful way to help readers understand and interpret data.