general Guidelines:

• Bars graphs should be used when the data is discrete (this is when the data is separate)

• Each bar on a bar graph should be of an equal width.

• Bars should always have a gap between them - these gaps should be of an equal size.

• There should be a gap before the first bar.

• The ‘y’ axis (the vertical axis) usually has the dependent variable (factor that you are measuring).

• The 'x' axis (the horizontal axis) usually has the independent variable (factor that you are changing).

Remember 'tabs':

Title

• This should start with 'A bar graph to show ....'

Axes

• Each axis should be labelled with a mini title.

• The 'y' axis should have the dependent variable (factor that you are measuring).

• The 'x' axis should have the independent variable (factor that you are changing).

• Have you thought carefully about the scale on your axes?

Bars

• Draw each bar with a ruler.

• Each bar should be the same width.

Spaces

• Remember to leave even spaces between each bar.