Purpose of a data visualisation: informing

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which best describes the main aim of an informing visualisation?

A Convince the audience to agree with one opinion

B Present facts and findings clearly so the audience can see what the data says

2. Which title suits an informing visualisation?

A Year 11 Absences by Term, 2024

B Stop the Absence Crisis Now!

3. Which tone should an informing visualisation use?

A Emotional and urgent

B Neutral and factual

4. Where should the key numbers go in an informing visualisation?

A Up front, where the audience sees them first

B Hidden at the bottom in small text

5. Which caption reports a finding in an informing way?

A Average daily steps rose from 6,200 to 7,500 between Term 1 and Term 3.

B Shocking! Students are finally getting off the couch, but it's still not enough!

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Title: Year 11 Absences by Term, 2024		AA key number placed up front so the audience sees the main finding straight away
2Key number: 312 students (78%) attended		BThe key numbers are buried. An informing visualisation should put the key numbers up front, where they are large and easy to see.
3Reporting findings: state what the data shows without adding an opinion		CChart title: Bike Rides to School, 2020-2024
4Neutral tone: use plain, factual wording so the audience can decide for themselves		DFinding: Average attendance rose from 86% to 91%.
5Title: Students Are Sadly Failing to Attend!		EA neutral title that states what the data shows, with no opinion or sales pitch, which suits an informing visualisation
6Layout: key numbers hidden in small text at the bottom		FThe tone is emotional and biased. An informing visualisation should use neutral wording that states the facts, such as 'Student Attendance by Term'.

Definitions

Informing visualisation

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

="Average score: "&_______(B2:B30)

="Highest score: "&___(B2:B30)

="Students: "&_____(B2:B30)

="Average score: "&ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B30),_)

="Total sales: "_SUM(C2:C30)

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A purpose = "inform"

B tone = "persuasive"

C headline = "Key numbers first"

Question 2

A title = "Absences: Term 2"

B key_number = "412 students"

C caption = "Shocking rise!"

Question 3

A title = "Canteen sales, May"

B key_number = "$3,200 total"

C chart = "column"

D note = "Buy more pies!"

Question 4

A purpose = "entertain"

B audience = "Year 10 students"

C show = "facts and findings"

Question 5

A title = "Lunches sold: 1,250"

B order = "key numbers last"

C detail = "chart below"

Answer Key

Purpose of a data visualisation: informing

Section A: Quick Questions

B — Present facts and findings clearly so the audience can see what the data says

A — Year 11 Absences by Term, 2024

B — Neutral and factual

A — Up front, where the audience sees them first

A — Average daily steps rose from 6,200 to 7,500 between Term 1 and Term 3.

Section B: Match the Pairs

Title: Year 11 Absences by Term, 2024 → A neutral title that states what the data shows, with no opinion or sales pitch, which suits an informing visualisation

Key number: 312 students (78%) attended → A key number placed up front so the audience sees the main finding straight away

Reporting findings: state what the data shows without adding an opinion → Finding: Average attendance rose from 86% to 91%.

Neutral tone: use plain, factual wording so the audience can decide for themselves → Chart title: Bike Rides to School, 2020-2024

Title: Students Are Sadly Failing to Attend! → The tone is emotional and biased. An informing visualisation should use neutral wording that states the facts, such as 'Student Attendance by Term'.

Layout: key numbers hidden in small text at the bottom → The key numbers are buried. An informing visualisation should put the key numbers up front, where they are large and easy to see.

Section C: Definitions

Informing visualisation — A visualisation that shows facts and findings clearly and neutrally, with key numbers up front, so the audience can see what the data says and decide for themselves.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

="Average score: "&AVERAGE(B2:B30)

="Highest score: "&MAX(B2:B30)

="Students: "&COUNT(B2:B30)

="Average score: "&ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B30),1)

="Total sales: "&SUM(C2:C30)

Section E: Spot the Error

B — An informing visualisation uses a neutral tone. A persuasive tone tries to push the audience toward an opinion. It should be tone = "neutral".

C — An informing caption reports the finding with a fact. "Shocking rise!" is emotional and has no numbers. It should state the change, such as "Up 8% on Term 1".

D — An informing visualisation reports facts and names its source. "Buy more pies!" tells the audience what to do, which is persuading. The note should give the source.

A — The program is about showing facts and findings, so the purpose is to inform. Entertaining is a different purpose. It should be purpose = "inform".

B — An informing visualisation puts the key numbers up front so the audience sees them straight away. Placing them last hides them. It should be "key numbers first".