The use of graphs
The example displayed below is a line graph taken from an article published in a peer reviewed medical journal. Graphs are used to organize numerical evidence and help illustrate claims to support writing.
Context
Physical sciences share ways of presenting evidence. Methodologies for experimentation are very objective, heavily reliant on hard evidence, and present highly informed data. In the context of the "Effects of Unsaturated Free Fatty Acids on Adhesion and on Gene Expression of Extracellular Matrix Macromolecules in Human Osteoblast-like Cell Cultures," the title itself is very specific. The content of the report is intends to recite data objectively and therefore displaying the information as such is important in order to avoid misinterpretation.
General: The use of graphs are common in the field of science. Some areas such as accounting and economics may also use graphs to expressed numerical data. Academic fields that value more subjective methods to determine data, such as sociology, may also use graphs to display information. The rhetorical choices for the use of graphs in academic work is dependent on the amount of data and the conventions of presentation for the given area of study.
Ask Yourself: Will a graph be the best way for me to present data? Considering my context, is a graph appropriate?
General: The use of graphs are common in the field of science. Some areas such as accounting and economics may also use graphs to expressed numerical data. Academic fields that value more subjective methods to determine data, such as sociology, may also use graphs to display information. The rhetorical choices for the use of graphs in academic work is dependent on the amount of data and the conventions of presentation for the given area of study.
Ask Yourself: Will a graph be the best way for me to present data? Considering my context, is a graph appropriate?
Audience
The audience for this article includes scientists, doctors, professors, experts, and others interested in studies within the medical field. By considering audience, the writer made the rhetorical choice of using graphs in order to provide clear, accessible information. With such a broad audience of different disciplines, revolving around the same field of study- misinterpretation is rare but still possible. Therefore, graphs act to prevent any further confusion or misreading, as well as support for the purpose.
General: Because of the objective and straightforward nature of graphs, they act as a means to support and further illustrate claims in academic writing. As an academic student writer, one must take audience into consideration when deciding if the usage of a graphic as a tool for support is appropriate.
Ask Yourself: Who is my primary audience? Who is my secondary audience? Will the graph I provide be accessible to both audiences? Is a graph appropriate for my writing?
General: Because of the objective and straightforward nature of graphs, they act as a means to support and further illustrate claims in academic writing. As an academic student writer, one must take audience into consideration when deciding if the usage of a graphic as a tool for support is appropriate.
Ask Yourself: Who is my primary audience? Who is my secondary audience? Will the graph I provide be accessible to both audiences? Is a graph appropriate for my writing?
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to discuss the findings of an experiment done on the development of cell adhesion. In this case, numerical values are not only common, but necessary in the report. The graph not only acts as a way to organize the information but also as a way to illustrate the contrasting information represented by the data to ultimately determine whether or not the hypothesis is in agreement with the results. The example shown above illustrates cell adhesion after every hour.
General: In consideration of your primary purpose, you can determine whether or not the use of a graph is appropriate. When reporting subjects that include numerical data, for instance, a graph may be useful for organization.
Ask Yourself: What is my primary purpose? Will the use of graphs help me achieve my purpose?
General: In consideration of your primary purpose, you can determine whether or not the use of a graph is appropriate. When reporting subjects that include numerical data, for instance, a graph may be useful for organization.
Ask Yourself: What is my primary purpose? Will the use of graphs help me achieve my purpose?
Persona
The overall persona of this article is formal, impersonal, and direct. The article is from a peer reviewed medical journal, therefore the authors' use of technical terms and jargon in this writing serves the audience and is appropriate, considering the context . The persona is but another aspect commonly seen in scientific journals, one of many shared values within the umbrella term of 'sciences.' Another shared value regarding persona would be the "genres used for communicating" such as the graph shown above (Morales, "Discourse Community Analysis & Map"). Therefore, the use of graphs in this particular article is an effective choice.
General: Although persona has a great deal of influence on the use of graphs, this choice applies to different disciplines. The use of a graph shows the audience that your persona is one of a student who is concerned with supporting claims. Afterall, the purpose of a graph, besides organizing and displaying information, is to act as illustrative support.
Ask Yourself: Will the perception of my persona benefit by my use of graphs? Is organization important to me, as an academic student writer?
General: Although persona has a great deal of influence on the use of graphs, this choice applies to different disciplines. The use of a graph shows the audience that your persona is one of a student who is concerned with supporting claims. Afterall, the purpose of a graph, besides organizing and displaying information, is to act as illustrative support.
Ask Yourself: Will the perception of my persona benefit by my use of graphs? Is organization important to me, as an academic student writer?