Technical Writing - Essay Example

Constructing the charts using the computers is much easier than constructing it manually. However, although the constructing the charts by computers is easier, the guidelines for constructing the charts both manually and by using computers are similar. The pie charts must always be numbered as figure 1 or figure 2 and so on. However, if the visual (chart) is one, the numbers are excluded. The charts must also have a title and each segment or sector must be labelled concisely and clearly. In addition, arrows or lines should be used if necessary to link the labels to the segments (Picket, Laster and Staples, 2001).

The chart below is an example of a pie chart. The chart is prepared by computer software graphic. It represents the total expenses of a student in Linfield College per term. These are estimates of his expenses for one of the terms in the 2011-2012 year of study (Linfield College, 2011). College Expenses per Term Item Amount($) Percentages (%) Accommodation 2,490 8.987547374 Personal expenses 1,100 3.970402454 Telephone/Internet 550 1.985201227 Food 3,000 10.82837033 Laundry/Personal Hygiene 430 1.

552066414 Clothing/Entertainment 1,000 3.609456777 Transportation (local) 375 1.353546291 Tuition 16,050 57.93178127 Books and Supplies 700 2.526619744 Board (Standard) 2,010 7.255008121 Total 27,705 100 Question 5.12 Bar charts Bar charts are also referred to column charts or bar graphs. Just as the pie charts, bar graphs are also simple and very useful visuals because they permit easy comparison of proportions or amounts. Bar charts are composed of one or more vertical or horizontal bars that are equal in width and length.

Bar charts can either be column charts or bar charts. Column charts are those with vertical bars whereas bar charts are those with horizontal bars. The bars, whether vertical or horizontal, are usually separated so as to improve their appearance and readability (Picket, Laster and Staples, 2001) . In representing multiple data in bar charts, multiple bars with different colours, shading or cross-hatching may be used to show different divisions. Bars charts can also be designed manually or by computer graphic software.

Preparation using the computer is easier provided one has the knowledge of using the software. Like a pie chart, a bar chart must also have a title and the bars together with the axes must be well labelled. The charts must also be numbered as figure 1 or figure 2 and so on if they are more than one (Picket, Laster and Staples, 2001). The figure below is an example of a bar chart. The bar chart is a column chart representing the annual retirement plan of Gomez. The retirement plan is paid by Roy Gomez who earns an annual salary of $ 50,000, Comal County and the state.

Gomez’ Annual Retirement Plan Payer Amount ($) Gomez 2500 Comal County 2000 State 1000 Total 5500 Question 5.3 Estimated Preparation Time for IRS Form 1040A Visuals are images that relay information. Although written language is the most common mode of communication used in the workplace, images such as charts, graphs and tables are also required to support the information passed by written language. However, the visual language used must be suitable to the intended persons and purpose regardless of the subject matter.

Therefore, since the response of the audience to visual information is