General guidelines:

• Line graphs should be used when the data is continuous (often this is when there are two sets of numbers) eg temperature changing over a period of time.

• The plotted points should be drawn as a small ‘x'.

• If the plotted points show a curved line then this should be drawn free hand to show the best fit curve. Please DO NOT use a ruler to join each point as a 'dot to dot'.

• If the plotted points show a straight line then a ruler should be used to show the best fit straight line. Please DO NOT join each point as a 'dot to dot'.

• 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 'splat':

Scale

• Choose a suitable scale for each axis.

Plot

• The plots should be drawn as a small ‘x'.

Line

• If the plotted points show a curved line then this should be drawn free hand to show the best fit curve. Please DO NOT use a ruler to join each point as a 'dot to dot'.

• If the plotted points show a straight line then a ruler should be used to show the best fit straight line. Please DO NOT join each point as a 'dot to dot'.

Axis

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

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

• Each axis should be labelled with a mini title and units must be included in brackets. E.g. Friction (N)

Title

• Add a title to your graph.