Graphs for 8th Grade Science
1. Choose to make either a portrait or a landscape graph alignment.
Your graph should take up the majority of the paper, no mini-graphs accepted!!!*
2. Y axis is made with a ruler. The y-axis line begins 1 block down from the top edge and 4-5 blocks from the left edge. The y-axis line ends 4-5 blocks from the bottom edge. Dependent Variable
3. X axis line is made with a ruler. The x-axis line begins 4-5 blocks up from the bottom left corner (this should be the bottom endpoint of your y-axis line). The line is drawn towards the right edge of the page 4-5 blocks up, parallel to the bottom edge, stopping 1 block from the right edge of the page.
Independent Variable
4. The X and Y axis scale should each start at 0 when possible. Use squiggle when not... 0 45 50
5. Make all axis spacing equal for the numeric values utilized. Ex. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 4, 8, 12, 16 etc.
6. Tic marks should be placed perpendicular to each labelled axis value.
7. Label each axis to reflect what the scale numbers represent. This label should be specific and capitalized. The units of measure should appear in parentheses below or to the left of the axis label.
8. A capitalized title goes at the top of the page, centred. The title should tell what is in the graph. The title should be specific and contain the independent (x) and the dependent (y) variables !
9. The name of the author of the graph is located in the upper right corner. Graphs created as part of a lab report do not need to contain the author’s name.
10. All keys go just below the author’s name in the upper right corner.
* If portrait alignment is chosen, 2 landscape type graphs may be created by dividing the paper in half.
Choosing the correct type of graph
Discrete data is shown by points or by a bar type graph. Discrete data is data that shows values from events that are not directly connected or do NOT show an unending stream of data.
Continuous data is shown by points on the graph with a “Best Fit Line” drawn through the points properly. This data represents pieces of data that come from a stream of connected data all of which is not being shown on the graph. DOT TO DOT lines are unacceptable! Time is an example of continuous data.
Evaluation of graphs
Graphs will be graded using the criteria listed above. If confused, please ask for help before it is due.
After December 1st: THREE errors make the graph unacceptable. You will not receive credit for the graph.
**Graphs may be produced using computer software but need to have the same components as a paper graph.