MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

We will look how to signal to yourself (writing is cognitive) and your readers that you are analyzing information. First, analysis can and should answer some key questions:

Is the information trustworthy?

Who is the information for?

Do elements of the design help audiences understand complexity?

Are elements of the design confusing?

What larger problem gives rise to this data display?

Can you think of other analytical questions that fit your visual display?

Sample phrases (not in order):

Although impressive, this visualization does not include source information...

I cannot find dates for....

The slider function is hidden, making ...

Colorblind readers (perhaps as much as 20 percent of the population) will not understand the use of red and green...

The designers did not include a key...

As an audience for this image, I expected to...

One of the links to sources is broken, making me wonder if the database is well maintained...

I cannot tell who sponsored this visualization...

Ways to conclude an analysis:

• Suggest improvements
• Identify confusing elements
• Comment on uses or applications
• Describe how readers might use information
• Describe ways that readers can trust the information (further reading; trustworthy sources)
• Predict reader reactions
• Predict reader actions

Let's look closely at this animation defining herd immunity, posted at Reddit. 

Now, consider the aesthetics of Eleanor Lutz's work in this particularly compelling infographic. You will need to scroll down from her website to find the visualization that matches this image.