Three questions to ask before trusting a chart

A convincing chart can tell a misleading story. Before believing the headline, take a closer look at the axes.

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Start with the scale

A bar chart compares lengths. If the vertical axis starts well above zero, a small difference can look enormous. For line charts, a narrower scale can help reveal movement, but it also needs clear labels and context.

Next, ask what has been counted. A rising total might reflect a growing population rather than a rising rate. A percentage without its denominator can hide how small the underlying sample is.

Look for the missing context

Check the time period, the source, and whether the categories are comparable. One carefully chosen start date can make a noisy series look like a steady trend.

Good charts make it easier to ask better questions. They show units, describe the data, and give uncertainty some room. The aim is a clearer view of the evidence—even when the evidence refuses to fit a tidy story.