How to Make a Chart & Graph

Line Graphs

Charts and graphs are useful because they utilize images to convey information. Instead of writing out data in sentences, you can see results by just looking at them. You can create different kinds of charts and graphs, using bars, circles and lines. Charts are practically the same as graphs. However, teachers often use charts more than graphs when teaching subjects such as social studies, because charts can show more pictorial information about a geographical area.

Things You'll Need

• Paper Pencil Colored pencils, markers or pens Ruler Data or information Graph paper

Instructions

1. Gather information. On a piece of paper, record all the information that you'll later plot on a chart or graph. Decide on the chart or graph. Do you want to create a line, bar or circle graph? Line graphs connect dots in straight lines, while bar graphs use bars to compare data. On the other hand, circle graphs (also know as pie graphs) convey information by comparing the sizes of wedges within a circle.

2. Use graph paper. You can also draw graphs and charts by hand using a ruler or with computer software such as Microsoft Excel.

3. Decide on the range of numbers. For example, what are your beginning and ending numbers? Suppose you've been recording your puppy's weight in pounds since you got her. When you first picked up your 6-week-old puppy, Molly, on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (2/12/08) she was only 8 lbs. Each Tuesday you weighed her and recorded her weight for the following 32 weeks until she was around 10 months old. The last time you weighed Molly was on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, when you recorded she had grown to 35 lbs.

4. Take a piece of graph paper and draw a large 90-degree (right angle), or "L," covering most of the paper. Be sure to line up your drawing on the squares on the graph paper, rather than drawing it freehand. Underneath the bottom line of the horizontal part of the "L," record the weeks you recorded your puppy's weight, using numbers, beginning with 2/12/08, continuing for 32 weeks up to 10/21/08. Write small and on an incline for each week. Label the horizontal side "Dates."

5. On the vertical side of the "L," record the number of pounds, beginning with your puppy's starting weight of 8 lbs. on 2/12/08. Label this vertical side "Pounds." Count up 46 squares on the graph (for 46 weeks). Assume her last recorded weight on 10/21/08 was 35 lbs., so pencil in square 35 (the top square of the "L," moving over 32 squares to the extreme right).

6. Plot your information. Take each week's weight in pounds and make dots for the number of pounds, lining up with the correct date. Use a pencil so you can easily erase any mistakes. Then using a ruler or straightedge, connect the dots. Next, go over the pencil with colored pencils, markers or pens. Finally, title your graph (at the top of the graph paper), "Molly's Weight Gains."

Tips & Warnings

• Use pie charts (which are circles) when dealing with information about percentages as you can see the fractional differences easier than with a line graph. Horizontal and vertical bar charts also work better than line graphs when showing percentages.

• Always double-check your work in pencil before making final marks in pens, colored pencils or markers.

Resources

• Free Online Graph Paper
• Graphs and Charts
• Using Excel to Create a Graph and Chart