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Graphing Skill: Drawing a Percentage Bar Graph

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• it differs from other graphs in that it a single bar rather than a circle or a series of bars (histogram).
• the bar is divided into segments which are proportional, and which add up to 100%

1. If there is no title, give your graph a title.
2. If no frame is drawn, draw a horizontal bar with your ruler, 10 cm long and 1.5 cm wide This is a useful size, as 10 cm is 100mm, so that every 1% can be measured as 1mm.
3. Divide the bar into 10 1 cm divisions. Each division is worth 10%.
4. Plot the percentages you want to show, measuring 1mm for each 1%. Start with the largest first segment, working through to the smallest. "Other" should be graphed last.
5. Use shading to show each segment of the graph. Colour or shade in each segment of the bar.
6. Either label each segment, and place the shading used on the key.

• Use a pencil first so that you can rub it out if you need to.
• Always plot the statistics in order of size, with the largest first.
• Always plot 'OTHER' last regardless of how big it is.
• If you have lots of divisions on your bar, it is best to use a key rather than write on the bar.
• If there are only a few segments in the graph, label them on the graph rather than use the key.

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