Page:Graphic methods for presenting facts (1914).djvu/22

 foundation but the structure built upon the foundation which gives the result for which the whole work was planned. As the cathedral is to its foundation so is an effective presentation of facts to the data.

We daily see facts presented in the hope of creating interest and action for some really worthy piece of work to benefit the people as a whole. In many of these cases the attitude of the person presenting the matter seems to be that the facts will speak for themselves and that they need little or no assistance. Ordinarily, facts do not speak for themselves. When they do speak for themselves, the wrong conclusions are often drawn from them. Unless the facts are presented in a clear and interesting manner, they are about as effective as a phonograph record with the phonograph missing.

If it were more generally realized how much depends upon the method of presenting facts, as compared with the facts themselves, there would be a great increase in the use of the graphic methods of presentation. Unlimited numbers of reports, magazines, and newspapers are now giving us reams of quantitative facts. If the facts were put in graphic form, not only would there be a great saving in the time of the readers but there would be infinite gain to society, because more facts could be absorbed and with less danger of mis-*interpretation. Graphic methods usually require no more space than is needed if the facts are presented in the form of words. In many cases, the graphic method requires less space than is required for words and there is, besides, the great advantage that with graphic methods facts are presented so that the reader may make deductions of his own, while when words are used the reader must usually accept the ready-made conclusions handed to him.

In many presentations it is not a question of saving time to the reader but a question of placing the arguments in such form that results may surely be obtained. For matters affecting public welfare, it is hard to estimate the benefits which may accrue if a little care be used in presenting data so that they will be convincing to the reader. If the average citizen, and especially the business man, knew how to interpret charts and curves, it would be feasible to convey to him in effective form those facts relating to broad public improvements, public-service operation, and national, State, or municipal management, which might affect the whole fabric of our civilization. Archimedes wanted only a fulcrum for his lever and he would move the world. If the world is ever moved it will probably be by facts properly