How to Create a Timeline Graph

Timeline graphs show events or changes to data that occur between two or more specific points of time. They are useful for history documentation, and are featured in many school textbooks. A timeline graph can include all of the known events between two or more dates, or just a specific type or group of events. You can create your own timeline graph to document a series of events.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil or pen
• Poster board or paper

Instructions

1. Use a ruler to draw a line on poster board or paper. The line length will depend on how many events need to be documented.

2. Label the beginning of the line with the first date or other point of time, and the end of line with the last point of time or date.

3. Decide how your graph will be measured. It can be measured by any increment of time that you choose. Shorter graphs can be measured by days, hours, minutes or even seconds. Longer graphs can be measured by weeks, months, years or decades.

4. Calculate the number of increments between your first point of time and your last. Draw a small notch for each increment on the line you drew. Space them evenly, and label them. Labels will depend on the increments of time you are using.

5. Fill in the information that you want to graph at their corresponding increments. You can draw the notch at an increment longer if you are adding information that will not fit closely to the line.

References

• Do History
• The Home School Mom