Histograms

A histogram looks a little bit like a bar chart, but acts almost like a graph. The bars are placed against each other, and the tops are used to create a kind of primitive curve. You would use a histogram when you do not have enough data to plot a true curve using a graph.

Below is an example of a histogram created in Microsoft Word. Notice how the bars are mashed together, and the tops form a crude, bell-shaped curve. There isn't enough information to get exact figures, but we can easily see that the values rise from around five, to a high of about 24, before dropping again.

Flowcharts

Flowcharts are typically used to show steps in a process. Use them only when it would be too difficult or confusing to explain the system with a written description alone. Like all illustrations, they should be kept as simple as possible. Remove any unnecessary elements.

They should also:

Be easy to follow

Be drawn clearly

Contain precise explanatory words

Diagrams, Drawings, and Photos

Diagrams, drawings, and photos are captioned just like any other illustration. Fit them into your report, then give them a number, a title, and a descriptive caption. Attribution is usually placed in the lower left- or right-hand corner of the image.

You can re-size or crop them, as needed, but remember:

The smaller the illustration, the more difficult it is to make out the details.

Fine details are often distorted by office copiers.

Some printers cannot reproduce color, and gray scale tends to flatten and wash out an image.

If your report is to be professionally printed, color costs extra.

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