1. Agenda Analysis of a communication situation
Selecting and representing data
Visual aids in representing data

2. Analysis of a situation
Read the Regis case
With a small group, discuss the questions and design a communication plan

3. Selecting and representing data
Facts and inferences
A fact is something that can be proven with reference to the data
Example: The sky is blue.
An inference is based on the data, but it cannot be proven by the data
Example: It will not rain today.
An inference can be an evaluative statement
Example: The weather is terrific today.

4. Selecting and representing data
Facts and inferences
A fact is usually limited in scope
Example: Fifty-two percent of adults in the US are women.
An inference can be a generalization
Example: Women are more numerous because they are needed to bear children.

5. Selecting and representing data
Constructing an interpretation requires both facts and inferences
Facts can simply be stated
Inferences must be explained
Multiple interpretations of data are usually possible
Data in itself does not prove a point

6. Selecting and representing data exercise
Read the Analysis of Information exercise
Complete the questions
You may work with a partner

7. Representing data: visual aids
A picture is worth a thousand words - as long as it is relevant, clear, and helpful

8. Ineffective visual representation
This graph shows
average number of hours per week that computer users use home PCs for free time
average number of hours per week the sample as whole uses home PCs for free time
What does the “sample” figure tell you? The comparison?

9. Ineffective visual representation
Skewed scale
Lack of accuracy
Lack of clarity in terms
Irrelevant comparisons
Figures for the sake of figures

10. Matching visual aids to situations
What do you want the reader to focus on?
Pie chart: shows proportion of whole best
Bar chart: shows side-by-side comparison
Table: shows side-by-side comparison in detail
Line chart: shows trends best

11. Integrating visual aids
There are two rules that need to be balanced
A visual aid should make things clear, so the visual aid should not require extensive explanation
A visual aid dropped into a text with no explanation is often more confusing than no visual aid
Generally, a brief reference is sufficient
Example: As shown in Table 1, the number of women in each branch of the military is substantially less than the number of men

12. Visual aids exercise In your group, review the Computer Use Case
Using a large sheet of paper and colored pens, make two different visual representations of two different pieces of data
Select visual aids that best allow you to represent the data
Present your data to the class (one or more group members may speak)

13. Assignment Review Read the Computer Use case writing assignment
The Computer Use article
Your portfolios
Appendix A
Read the Computer Use case writing assignment