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Plain Figures

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Articles to Download:

We hope that these articles will help you learn how to present numbers, tables and graphs that are reader friendly and easier to understand.

Keeping It Simple

"People find numbers persuasive, and well presented data saves time and promotes good decision making. In this article Sally Bigwood and Melissa Spore present their views in the form of four 'common myths' about presenting numerical information."

[PDF 1.4Mb]

This article was first published in the Institute of Public Finance's Research Bulletin "Figure It Out" in June 2006.

Designing Persuasive Tables and Charts

"Bad data graphics can be expensive, if not fatal. Sally Bigwood and Melissa Spore explain how to design readable data graphics for your audience."

[PDF 1.4Mb]

This article was first published in The Communicator, the publication of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Writers, summer edition 2005.