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Editing graphics

Editing graphics. ACES Denver 2008 Bill Cloud University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A good map or chart:. Is free of errors. Is easily understood by the readers. Makes good use of its allotted space. Is clearly connected to the story.

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Editing graphics

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  1. Editing graphics ACES Denver 2008 Bill Cloud University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  2. A good map or chart: • Is free of errors. • Is easily understood by the readers. • Makes good use of its allotted space. • Is clearly connected to the story. • Has text elements that complement, rather than repeat, accompanying headlines.

  3. A good map … • Includes, in most cases, both a north pointer and a distance scale. • Clearly labels the significant elements on the map. • Labels streets and other landmarks mentioned in the story. • Aids a reader who may go to or pass through the area.

  4. A good chart … • Presents information clearly without wasting space. • Reflects changes in the value of the dollar. • Reflects changes in the population. • Appropriately rounds off large numbers. • Puts numbers into perspective.

  5. A map should be clear and uncluttered (Unlike this one.)

  6. Distance scales:Needed or not? Almost every map, including this one, needs to show distances.

  7. Distance scales:Needed or not?Distance scales:Needed or not? This is probably a reasonable exception because we’re showing the entire United States and aren’t concerned with distances.

  8. Do story and map connect? Shouldn’t we tell our readers that the line shows the migratory route and let them know the flying distance?

  9. Do story and map connect? Here, the cutline with the map makes the difference.

  10. Does the map aid the reader? Where is Eighth Avenue? How will traffic detour? Can we show the route?

  11. Accounting for inflation Stamp prices shown are misleading …

  12. Accounting for inflation …unless you consider the changing value of the dollar, as indicated by the lengthened lines. Check inflation at bls.gov

  13. Accounting for inflation Here’s an interesting chart showing the growth of the Maine lobster business. The problem is …

  14. Accounting for inflation Value of lobsters in 2000 dollars … It doesn’t reflect the change in the value of the dollar

  15. Accounting for inflation 6.00 Price Per Pound in 2000 dollars $3.00 Actually, the price peaked in 1973! 1950 2002

  16. Linear deception

  17. Linear deception Is the footnote enough here? Shouldn’t we do something else to show readers that the ’04 figures are for part of a year?

  18. Controlling for population The chart shows differences in funding amounts among states and some cities, but those differences mainly reflect population differences. Compare it with a graph of the state populations.

  19. Controlling for population A per-capita comparison presents a very different picture.

  20. Out of? For perspective, we should be told how many people are employed in each office and in the state as a whole.

  21. Out of? Again, we need the totals for the district and for each school to understand the scope of the problem.

  22. Beware, pie charts • They do a poor job in ranking proportions. • The numbers and the slices can be hard to connect. • The slices get to be too thin for nourishment.

  23. Beware, pie charts

  24. A Clear Comparison But can the graph show more?

  25. Accounting for the change in population

  26. What to do instead? • Often, simple tables are best. • Consider the “cake” chart. • Shares are more clear. • Rank ordering is simpler. But: What about the number of accidents?

  27. Car safety experts shift focus to side impact As highway deaths have declined, the share of deaths blamed on side impact crashes has risen. A lot more information in the same space. Front Impact Other Side Impact 86 (52%) 62(53%) Car fatalities, by direction of impact – 1980-2001 Driver deaths in cars 1-3 years old, per million cars registered 41 (46%) 36 (22%) 18(15%) 14(17%) 42 (26%) 37 (32%) 32 (37%)

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