1. Never use loose leaf or blank paper. In
order for your graph to be useful, the intervals must be uniform. Free-hand graphs
are inaccurate and useless. Use graph paper or a computer program every time.
2. Include a descriptive title at the top of the graph.
This should clearly tell what your graph is about.
3. Label each axis. Put the independent
variable, which is controlled by the experimenter, on the x axis. The dependent
variable, which changes with the independent variable, goes on the y-axis
4. Let the origin equal zero for each axis. Unless
your data makes this unrealistic.
5. Maintain the same intervals for the entire axis.
Select intervals that will show as much detail as possible, while still allowing the
graph to fit in the allotted space. Each interval or box must represent the
same number of units. If you are plotting volume in dm3 on the x-axis,
each interval should represent the same number of dm3.
