When visual representing data through graphs the keep the following practices in mind to assure a proper presentation of the information.

• A graphic does not distort if the visual representation of the data is consistent with the numerical representation.
• Tables usually outperform graphics in reporting on small data sets of 20 numbers or less. The special power of graphics comes in the display of large data sets.
• The representation of a number, as physically measured on the surface of the graphic itself, should be directly proportional to the numerical quantities represented.
• To be truthful and revealing, data graphics must bear on the question at the heart of quantitative thinking: “Compared to what?”
• In time-series displays of money, deflated and standardized units of monetary measurement are nearly always better than nominal units.
• The emaciated, data-thin design should always provoke suspicion, for graphics often lie by omission, leaving out data sufficient for comparisons.
• The number of information-carrying (variable) dimensions depicted should also not exceed the number of dimensions in the data.
• Clear, detailed, and thorough labeling should be used to defeat graphical distortion and ambiguity.