Graphics in Plain Language: Guidelines for creating graphs that are easier to understand
Keywords:
Information Visualization, Graphics, Plain Language, Transparency, UnderstandabilitySynopsis
Plain Language has gained prominence in Brazil from laws that guide the clear and understandable dissemination of public information. This language has expanded to improve the understanding of texts and other types of information presentation, for example, visual representations, such as graphs. Usually, this graphic communication is allocated to non-specialists or is based on common software functionalities for graphics creation, which often need improvement. Few guides or manuals exist for user-friendly and transparent data deployment for public consumption. These recommendations are decentralized on websites, forums, or specialized books, using an exclusively technical language. This book presents a guideline for Plain Language - focusing on information visualization - which aims to create understandable graphics. This material relies on existing recommendations in the academic literature, specialized books, and experts. The practices, described in an easy-to-understand language, have several hands-on and feasible examples. The book is organized to be easily followed, who wants to communicate through graphics and be understood by everyone.