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D1.4 · Make an infographic using tables and suitable graphs

Learn to make an infographic using tables and suitable graphs through clear examples and targeted practice.

Ontario Grade 6 Mathematics

Data

Choose a clear way to show information, then help readers understand it

An infographic is a visual way to share information. It can combine a title, a table, a graph, and a short message. Tables organize exact values into rows and columns. Graphs make it easier to compare values or notice how values change. In this lesson, all example data are hypothetical: they are made up for practice and are not measurements or observations. Before making an infographic, ask: What information do I have? What do I want a reader to notice? Which table or graph will show it clearly?

What you will learn

Organize information in a table with clear headings.
Choose a graph that fits the information being shown.
Add labels and a title so an infographic is easy to read.
Check that the table, graph, and written message agree.

Start with organized information

A table puts information into rows and columns. A row goes across. A column goes down. Headings tell readers what each column means. For example, a table might have one column for a choice and one for the number of votes. The heading should name the information, not make the reader guess.

Before reading or making a table, check its title and headings. Then compare values in the same column. This keeps the comparison fair: each value should describe the same kind of information.

A graph is a picture of data. Data are the values being shared. A graph can help readers compare values quickly. The graph still needs exact labels so readers can understand what each bar, point, or line means.

Use a title that names the subject.
Give each table column a clear heading.
Keep the information in a row together.

Choose a graph that fits

A bar graph is useful for comparing separate groups, such as different book genres. Each bar stands for one group. Taller bars show larger values. Leave a space between bars so readers can see that the groups are separate.

A broken-line graph is useful for showing values in time order, such as a hypothetical count at several days. Plot each time-and-value pair as a point, then connect the points in order. The line helps readers see how the values change from one time to the next.

A graph needs a title, labels, and a scale. A scale shows how the numbered marks are spaced. For example, marks might count by ones or by twos. Pick a scale that fits the values and label it clearly. Do not leave out part of the scale in a way that could make differences look misleading.

A graph is suitable when its form matches the information. Separate groups call for a bar graph. Values listed in time order can be shown with a broken-line graph. A table can accompany either graph so readers can check exact values.

Use bars to compare separate groups.
Use connected points to show values in time order.
Label the two axes: the horizontal axis and the vertical axis.

Make the infographic easy to understand

An infographic combines information and design. Start with the main message. Put the title where readers can find it. Place a table or graph near the message it supports. Use short labels and keep the same wording in the table and graph.

A source tells where information came from. In a practice example, say that the information is hypothetical. For real information, name the source you were given. This helps readers know what the information represents.

Before sharing an infographic, check every value. Read across the table and compare it with the graph. Check that each bar or point matches its table value. Make sure the title, labels, and source are present. A neat design cannot fix incorrect or unclear information.

Keep the table and graph consistent.
Include a source note or clearly say that example data are hypothetical.
Check values and labels before sharing.

Plan, make, and review

A useful plan has three parts. First, organize the information in a table. Next, choose a graph that suits the information. Finally, add a title, labels, and a short message that tells readers what to notice.

Use the visual to support the information, not to replace it. A short message should match the values shown. Avoid claims that the information cannot support. For instance, a table of hypothetical votes can show which choice has the largest value. It cannot tell us what every person prefers.

When you review someone else's infographic, ask whether the table headings are clear, whether the graph matches the kind of data, and whether the values agree. If any part is unclear, improve the label or layout.

Organize first, graph second, and review last.
Write only a message supported by the displayed information.
Make the graph readable without removing exact values from the table.

Practice Class Vote

Book choice	Hypothetical votes
Mystery	8
Animal	5
Adventure	7

Worked example

Compare separate groups

A student is designing a practice infographic about a hypothetical class vote. The made-up results are: mystery books, 8 votes; animal books, 5 votes; adventure books, 7 votes. Make a table and choose a suitable graph.

Practice Class Vote

Hypothetical votes by book choice. Bar heights match the table values.

Organize the values
The choices are separate groups, so list one choice and its vote count in each row. The values are hypothetical practice data.
Choose the graph
A bar graph fits because the purpose is to compare the vote counts for separate book choices. Put the choices along the horizontal axis and votes on the vertical axis.
Write a supported message
Mystery books have the largest displayed count, with eight votes. The message should describe this practice table only, not make a claim about readers everywhere.

Answer: Use a table with the headings Book choice and Hypothetical votes. Make a bar graph with one bar for each choice and a vertical scale from 0 to 8, counting by 1. Give it a title such as “Practice Class Vote.”

Check: The bar heights must be 8, 5, and 7 in the same order as the table. Mystery books have the greatest value.

Worked example

Show values in time order

A learner makes up a practice record of pages read over three evenings: 4 pages on Monday, 6 on Tuesday, and 5 on Wednesday. Organize the information and choose a graph.

Practice Pages Read

Made-up page counts over three evenings, shown in time order.

Make a time-ordered table
Put the evenings in order in one column and the made-up page counts in the next. A reader can find the exact value for each evening.
Plot the information
A broken-line graph fits because the values are listed in time order. Place evenings along the horizontal axis and pages along the vertical axis. Plot each pair, then connect the points in order.
Describe the pattern carefully
The displayed count rises from Monday to Tuesday, then falls from Tuesday to Wednesday. This describes only the hypothetical values in this example.

Answer: Use a table with the headings Evening and Hypothetical pages read. Make a broken-line graph titled “Practice Pages Read.” Label the horizontal axis Evening and the vertical axis Pages. Show points at Monday 4, Tuesday 6, and Wednesday 5.

Check: The plotted points must be in Monday-to-Wednesday order and match the table. The line rises and then falls.

Worked example

Make the message match the data

An infographic draft uses hypothetical results for a made-up art-material survey: 9 learners chose pencils, 9 chose markers, and 3 chose crayons. Improve the table and graph plan, then state a message the data support.

Practice Art-Material Survey

Hypothetical choices. Pencils and markers tie at 9.

Use clear headings
The table should identify the material and the number of hypothetical choices. This makes the values understandable without extra guessing.
Select a matching graph
A bar graph is suitable because pencils, markers, and crayons are separate categories. The bars for pencils and markers should be the same height.
Check the message
The two largest values are equal. A fair message says that pencils and markers tie in this made-up survey. It should not say one is more popular than the other.

Answer: Use headings such as Art material and Hypothetical choices. Make a bar graph titled “Practice Art-Material Survey,” with a vertical scale from 0 to 9. A supported message is: “Pencils and markers tie for the largest number of choices in this made-up survey.”

Check: The bars for pencils and markers both reach 9, while crayons reach 3. The message matches all three values.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Leaving the graph axes or scale unlabeled.

Correction: Name what each axis shows and label the scale so readers can interpret the values.

Using a broken-line graph for separate categories.

Correction: Use bars to compare separate groups. Use a broken-line graph when the values are in time order.

Making the infographic message stronger than the displayed values.

Correction: State only what the table or graph shows. Clearly identify made-up values as hypothetical.

Making a graph value different from its table value.

Correction: Compare each bar or point with the matching row in the table before sharing.

Lesson summary

An infographic can combine a title, table, graph, and short message.
Use clear headings and labels so readers know what the values mean.
Use a bar graph to compare separate groups and a broken-line graph for values in time order.
Check that the graph matches the table and that the message is supported by the displayed information.

Check your understanding

Question 1

A table lists the number of votes for three different poster designs. Which graph is a suitable choice for comparing the designs?

A bar graph
A broken-line graph with the designs placed in time order
A graph with no labels
correctIndex":0,"explanation":"The designs are separate groups. Bars make their vote counts easy to compare."}

Show answer and explanation

A bar graph

The designs are separate groups. Bars make their vote counts easy to compare.

Question 2

A broken-line graph shows hypothetical values for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. What should the horizontal axis show?

The days in time order
The largest value only
The graph title
correctIndex":0,"explanation":"The horizontal axis should show the time order. The vertical axis can show the values."}

Show answer and explanation

The days in time order

The horizontal axis should show the time order. The vertical axis can show the values.

Question 3

A table has values 6, 6, and 2 for three choices. Which message is supported?

The first two choices tie for the largest value.
The first choice is larger than the second.
All three choices have the same value.
correctIndex":0,"explanation":"The first two values are both 6, which is greater than 2. They tie for the largest value."}

Show answer and explanation

The first two choices tie for the largest value.

The first two values are both 6, which is greater than 2. They tie for the largest value.

Key terms

Data: Information or values being shared.
Table: Information organized in rows and columns.
Graph: A visual way to show values.
Scale: The numbered marks and steps used to show values on a graph.
Infographic: A visual presentation that combines information with features such as a title, table, graph, and short message.

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Published by DoAssignment. This reviewed lesson follows Ontario Grade 6 Mathematics, expectation D1.4. It is a study resource, not an official curriculum publication.

Before publication, content is checked for structure, mathematical or chemical notation, calculations, course boundaries, and readability. Errors can still occur, so corrections are welcomed.

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