How to Create My Own Graph

Graphs can make valuable information more easily understood. Graphs provide a way to look at data without having to analyze a large set of numbers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the benefit of a graph is that it will communicate information visually. Graphs can portray the information quickly and also provide an illustration to information which may otherwise be very confusing. There are many different graphs available, but creating a line graph is one of the easiest to make.

Things You'll Need

• Graphing paper
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Draw a horizontal line near the bottom of your graphing paper, this is your X-axis.

2. Mark off equal distance spaces on the X-axis and label with numbers. The numbers will depend on the set of data as well as the scale you wish to use for the graph. If your numbers for the X-axis are 1 through 100, a scale of 5 or 10 would be appropriate.

   For example: If you pick a scale of 5, the left most end of the X-axis would be 0, then the next line on the X-axis 5, then 10, 15, 20 and so on.

3. Draw a line from the left most point on the X-axis, vertically to the top of your paper, this is your Y-axis.

4. Mark off equal distance spaces on the Y-axis and label with numbers. The numbers will depend on the set of data as well as the scale you wish to use for the graph. If your numbers for the Y-axis are 1 through 1,000, a scale of 50 would more be appropriate than 5.

5. Plot your data on the graph.

   For example: If you are using a line graph and the first set of data was (6, 50), you would first find 6 on the X-axis. From the 6, go vertically up the paper until you reached 50 on the Y-axis. Where the two points meet, place a dot. Continue for all data.

6. Connect the dots with a line, once all the data has been plotted. A line graph will show the trend in data.

7. Add a title to the bottom of the graph. Title should provide insight to the reader as to what data they are observing.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw your X-axis, Y-axis, and any other straight lines over the horizontal and vertical lines already on the graphing paper. Label the X-axis and Y-axis to describe the data being shown.

• If you are making a graph for school or work be sure to make whichever type of graph is specified. If it is for personal use, you may use any type. If you are plotting multiple sets of data for comparison, on one graph, be sure to color code what each set (line) represents and use a key on the graph so that people understand what is being portraying.

References

• National Center for Education Statistics

Resources

• Create a Graph