Interpreting Graphics

Abstract

Graphics accompanying a text contain a wealth of information in a compact and attractive format. This paper sets out to define what a graphic is and to classify various types of graphics. The main discussion deals with how to interpret graphic information. Extracting information from graphics can be done at two levels: factual and inferential. Procedural steps for doing so are detailed, both theoretically and practically, through a sample graphic shoowing Asia's megacities of 1995 and 2025. Factual interpreting is straightforward and relatively simple. Thinking is an important element in determining the implied meaning. The ability to interpret the explicit and implicit messages from graphics plays a vital role in everyone's daily life in the information age.