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Study the data and graphic below illustrating the relative proportions of fat, carbohydrates, and protein in several energy bars. Focus on these questions:
- How effectively is the graph labeled? Explain.
The graph needs a clear, informative title after the number and label at the bottom. The horizontal and vertical axes need labels. Readers also need a legend to understand what each color represents in the graph. Finally, each segment should be labeled with specific data: the number and source of calories.
- How effective is the design of the bars and the use of colors?
The bars are too narrow, and the shaded background is distracting.
- How appropriate is the scale? Explain.
The scale appropriately begins at zero and stops at 100 percent. Dividing the scale into 10 segments provides enough information to help readers understand the data but not so much so that the axis is cluttered with data labels.
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REVISED GRAPH
The revised graph shown below corrects the problems described in the sample answers.
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Figure 1. Comparison of Relative Proportion of Calories from Fat, Carbohydrates, and Protein in Four Energy Bars
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Note, however, that this type of graph—a 100-percent bar graph—shows only percentages, not raw data. In this case, the graph does not show the total calories of each of the four bars. Selecting a type of graph that does not show total calories could be misleading if the purpose of the graph is to help readers choose the healthiest bar. The subdivided-bar graph below contains this extra information.
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Figure 1. Comparison of Relative Proportion of Calories from Fat, Carbohydrates, and Protein in Four Energy Bars
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ORIGINAL DATA AND GRAPH
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Figure 1.
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