Keep a misleading-chart red-flags deck
Recall common chart red flags and the audit question each one triggers.
Red flag: bars without a visible zero baseline What question should you ask? Does the bar length represent the full quantity or a cropped remainder? If totals are being compared, restore the baseline or switch to a dot plot with a delta. When someone says the labels are accurate The numbers are labeled, so the chart is not misleading. A chart with accurate labels but exaggerated visible differences. Your line The labels are accurate; the risk is that the visual effect is much larger than the data effect. Arguing about intent instead of reader effect. It keeps the critique grounded…
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