Chapter 12: Creating Reader-Centered Graphics
& Writer's Reference Guide: Creating Twelve Types of Reader-Centered Graphics

Extra Case Online 12.2

This case asks you to use the guidelines in Chapter 12 for creating effective graphics.

The Case: Report on the Dairy Division of the United States Department of Agriculture

Dairy Production: As a dairy science assistant in the United States Department of Agriculture, it is your job periodically to help produce a document that gives an overall view of the need for continued monetary support from the Congress. Part of that report is to include data which show that past efforts by the Dairy Division are paying off in terms of increased production. While you are going to detail these programs later in the report, you want a strong visual aid at the beginning of the report to clarify the success of the American dairy farmer.

The Task

Using the following data, decide what type of graph would be most effective as an illustration of increased milk production over the past twenty years.

Year Number of U.S. Dairy Cows in Millions Gallons of Milk per Cow
1970 12 1,134
1975 11.5 1,220
1980 11.2 1,388
1985 10.5 1,510
1990 10.2 1,703