Graphing : The Basics

CATEGORY

Data Table Data in the table is

well organized,
accurate, and easy to
read.

Data in the table is Data in the table is Data in the table is

organized, accurate, accurate and easy not accurate
and easy to read.
to read.
and/or cannot be
read.

Accuracy of All points are plotted All points are

All points are
Plot
correctly and are easy plotted correctly
plotted correctly.
to see. A ruler is used and are easy to see.
to neatly connect the
points or make the
bars, if not using a
computerized graphing
program.
Labeling of X The X axis has a clear,
axis
neat label that
describes the units
used for the
independent variable.

Points are not

plotted correctly
OR extra points
were included.

The X axis has a

The X axis has a
clear label that
label.
describes the units
used for the
independent
variable.

The X axis is not

labeled.

Labeling of Y The Y axis has a clear, The Y axis has a

The Y axis has a
axis
neat label that
clear label that
label.
describes the units and describes the units
the dependent variable. and the dependent
variable.

The Y axis is not

labeled.

Units

Type of
Graph
Chosen

All units are described

(in a key or with
labels) and are
appropriately sized for
the data set.

Most units are

described (in a key
or with labels) and
are appropriately
sized for the data
set.

Graph fits the data well Graph is adequate

and makes it easy to and does not distort
interpret.
the data, but
interpretation of the
data is somewhat
difficult.

All units are

Units are neither
described (in a key described NOR
or with labels) but appropriately sized
are not
for the data set.
appropriately sized
for the data set.
Graph distorts the Graph seriously
data somewhat and distorts the data
interpretation of making
the data is
interpretation
somewhat
almost impossible.
difficult.