SMPK1 BPK PENABUR Name : _________________________

DUAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM (DCP) Class / No. : ____________ / ___________

Date : _________________________
BRIDGING CLASS – MAKING A GRAPH
Presenting Information
When asked to take information from a table and present it in the form of a graph.

General points on graph drawing

1. Graphs should be drawn on graph paper with sharp pencil.
2. Just like diagrams BIG is beautiful.
3. You are presenting information your graph should be clear and easy to read.

Component of a graph
1. Axes
A graph has at least two axes, X-axis and Y-axis. X-axis is the independent variable and the Y-axis shows the
dependent variable. It means that the variable in the Y-axis can change depends on the variable on the X-axis.
For example, a student observed the effect of temperature to germination of pea seedlings. In this case the
independent variable is the temperature and the dependent variable is the number of pea seedlings.
2. Scale
The scale of both axes might be different but each axis has to be equal.
3. Plot
You have to plot the data correctly in the prepared space or grid with a data item.
4. Line
For a line graph, connect each plotted data carefully. Avoid extrapolation.

What type of graph should you draw?

Answer depends upon your independent variable (what you are changing / investigating):
 If you have a scale then it should be a line graph
 If I have categories (names) it should be a bar chart

Check your work before handing it in

When drawing your graph use the appropriate marksheet to check that you've done a good job. These criteria are
what will be used to judge whether your graph is a good one or not.

Line graph / chart criteria Marks

Correct type of graph chosen
Scales have to be even, e.g. on the y-axis 1 box = 10 m at any point on your scale
The independent variable is on the x-axis an the dependent is plotted on the y-axis
Both axis should be labelled with names and units
Graphs need a title to describe what they show
All data points plotted correctly
Data points should occupy most of the graph, axis don’t have to start at 0
Line graph markers should be + or x (avoid circles or dots as they are not accurate)
Best-fit lines/curves should be drawn through the middle of your data points (unless directed
otherwise)
Don't draw lines where you don't have points and remember graph lines don't always go through the
origin (0,0)
Total / 10

Line graph / chart criteria Marks

Correct type of graph chosen
Y-axis scale has to be even, e.g. 1 box = 10 m at any point on your scale
Both axis should be labelled with names and units
Charts need a title to describe what they show
All data points plotted correctly
Smallest bars should occupy very little space, the y-axis does not have to start at 0
All bars should be of equal width
Total /7