How to read visual information, such as charts, graphs, and photos.
Why authors select particular visuals to convey certain types of information to their readers.
How to create visuals to help you remember information your have learned from your texts.
Purpose of Visual Aids?
Visual aids provide a quick, easily accessible format for information that shows how information is connected and/or the meaning.
Types of Visual Aids in Textbooks
Charts and tables
Diagrams
Illustrations
Graphs – bar graphs, line graphs, pictographs, and pie graphs
Photographs
Time Lines
Creating Visual Aids
Outlines
Mind Maps
Charts
Matrices
Free Form Drawings
Guide for Selecting a Visual Aid
Charts – compare data
Diagrams – represent places, things, processes
Photographs – show actual events
Outlines – show linear organization
Time Lines – represent chronology of events
What If I’m Not an Artist?
You don’t need to be an artist to make effective visuals.
Visuals only have to make sense to you.
Visuals should be labeled so that you remember key information.
Visual Information Vocabulary
Charts
Diagrams
Outlines
Bar Graphs
Pie Graphs
Photographs
Free-Form Drawings
Illustrations
Line Graphs
Tables
Time Lines
Mind Maps
Concept Maps
Pictographs