VISUALS:
Introduction
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(for Tables see: NUMBERS > Describing Data)
Introduction
It is said, "that a picture is worth a thousand words" – and this is probably true, provided it is the right picture in the right place. However, we should remember that the person who said this wrote it down and didn't draw a picture!
Accordingly, many pieces of written work are intentionally and appropriately text based; work such as research papers, essays, reports etc. But often a compelling or informative image can grab and hold a reader's attention and so help get your message across. Nonetheless, locating or alternatively, creating good visuals can be very time consuming and it is all too easy to include diagrams, which are in the wrong place; graphs, which are unlabelled or confusing; and pictures which print poorly – or not at all!
Thus there are two important aspects to including graphics; one is the visual aspect: choosing or creating the right form of visual; making the essay, report, dissertation etc., look appealing, compelling, entertaining etc.; and using good judgement in the overall presentation. The second is the technical aspect: knowing how to design or produce the visuals and how to optimise them for display or printing.
Because of practical limitations, this CD-ROM is not able to teach you how to use any particular software package to produce your graphics. What it will do is suggest ways in which you can improve your visuals and their presentation; but you will need to extend these ideas and apply them, with the aid of your tutors and training manuals, to the software and other graphical aids that are available to you.
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