How do you add graphs, charts, and images to your writing?

1 Know your purpose and audience

Before you decide to add a graph, chart, or image to your writing, you need to ask yourself: what is the purpose of this visual element? How does it support your main idea, argument, or claim? Who is your target audience and what level of detail, complexity, or familiarity do they have with the topic? Depending on your purpose and audience, you may need to select different types of graphs, charts, or images, as well as different ways of presenting and explaining them.

2 Choose the right type of graph, chart, or image

There are many types of graphs, charts, and images that you can use in your writing, but not all of them are suitable for every situation. You need to choose the type that best fits your data, message, and style. For example, if you want to show trends over time, you may use a line graph or a bar chart. If you want to compare proportions or percentages, you may use a pie chart or a donut chart. If you want to show relationships or correlations, you may use a scatter plot or a bubble chart. If you want to illustrate a concept, process, or structure, you may use a diagram, a flowchart, or an infographic.

4 Integrate your graph, chart, or image into your text

Finally, you need to integrate your graph, chart, or image into your text in a way that makes sense and flows smoothly. You need to introduce your graph, chart, or image with a sentence that explains what it shows and why it is relevant. You need to refer to your graph, chart, or image with a clear and accurate caption that identifies it and summarizes its main point. You need to discuss your graph, chart, or image in your text with specific details, examples, or interpretations that support your argument or claim. You need to cite your graph, chart, or image with proper attribution and acknowledgment of the original source.