The Importance of Incorporating Charts, Graphs, Breakout Boxes into Research Papers.

In an instant gratification society, getting information across to a lazy audience is pretty difficult. One effective way to get information to an audience is by incorporating visual aids such as;

·      Charts

·      Graphs (bar & line)

·      Breakout boxes

Many reputable websites, like news reporting websites, and even less-reputable ones such as DIY websites all incorporate visual aids. These aids can include a vast amount of information, from statistics, to directions on how to install a wall mount for a television. The use of these aids helps the reader get an idea of the topic that is discussed in the content of the material, or to help them further understand the content.

A great way to visually display any number of statistics is by incorporating bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs. Generally, graphs “tell a story” which emphasizes a point that the author is trying to make. A visual display is very effective, and sometimes more memorable than pages of text. Chapter 9 of Writing Argument: A Rhetoric with Readings says: “With the availability of spreadsheet and presentation programs, today’s writers often create and import quantitative graphics into their documents. These visuals- such as tables, pie charts, and line or bar graphs- can have great rhetorical power by making numbers tell a story at a glance.”

Another great way that authors can visually appeal to an audience to get their main ideas across is by use of bullet points. Bullet points visually lay out the key points that the author is touching on, and because they are generally bold and outside the text body; they stand out. Many bloggers employ bulleted entries before their text, so that their readers can get an idea about what each section is about. Although effective, it allows for the readers to skim through the material, and possibly not read the contents, hence why it is important to include the main ideas when using bullet points.

One example of a breakout box was found on BBC News Business website. This article discusses the United Kingdom’s GDP growth, and uses a bar graph to illustrate fluctuations of growth and decline from 1990-2014. The graph shows that the UK had some declines in GPD briefly in the early 90’s, and again in the late 200’s, but overall their GDP has had positive growth. The bar graph is effective in showing the reader that the UK’s economy has been fairly positive over the past twenty or so years.

For my argumentative paper, which is about oceanic pollution, I could create and incorporate some type of visual tool such as a chart or graph. Throughout my previous research, I have found a lot of statistical data regarding pollution and how it effects the natural environment. I could use some of that data and then create a display, which will visually illustrate the damaging effects that pollution causes. I think that if I employ a visual aid, that my argument’s strength will only increase in its effectiveness.

When an author is writing an argumentative paper, it is important for them to use data or evidence to back up their claims. Their use evidence or data in their writing is important, and sometimes more effective when used in visual displays such as; graphs, charts, and breakout boxes.