Remove expressive imagery when the chart should read as objective

Remove or tone down visual imagery that adds a positive or negative stance when the chart should read as objective. For example, strip out themed illustrations or cartoon metaphors from the chart first, then check whether any remaining title or labels still push a specific point.

Expressive imagery acts like editorial framing. Readers treat the picture as part of the author’s stance, so the chart is more likely to be read as making an argument instead of only presenting data.

Mechanism: Value-laden imagery adds an extra persuasive cue that makes a specific interpretation feel intended.

Evidence: Readers reported a value message more often for embellished charts than for plain charts during description and recall, showing that imagery increased the sense that the chart was trying to communicate a specific point (Bateman et al., 2010).

Notes: The paper also stresses that plain charts are not automatically neutral, because titles, scales, ordering, and data selection can also bias interpretation.

• User Goal: Present information as objective rather than persuasive.
• Task: Explanation of topic, categories or values, and trend without steering the reader toward a value judgment.
• Chart Setting: Static chart that currently uses thematic illustrations, cartoon metaphors, or other expressive imagery.
• Audience: Readers should infer any stance from the data rather than from visual framing.
• Success Criterion: Readers do not frequently say that the chart is trying to get across a specific point.

Break it when: The chart is intentionally persuasive or long-term memorability of the message matters more than neutrality. Why: The paper shows that imagery can reinforce a value message and improve recall.

Sacrifice: You may lose some attractiveness, enjoyment, and memorability. Risk: Removing only the illustration can leave other persuasive cues untouched. Mitigation: After changing the imagery, review the remaining framing devices such as titles, ordering, and scales.

Mistake: Assuming a plain chart is automatically objective. Why it fails: The paper notes that titles, chart type, ordering, scales, and data selection can still steer interpretation.

Failure Sign: Readers say the chart is trying to communicate a specific point instead of merely presenting information. Quick Check: Ask readers whether the chart seems objective or message-driven after they inspect it. Stronger Test: Compare the current version with a toned-down version and keep the one that yields fewer value-message judgments when neutrality is the goal.

• Remove illustrations or cartoon metaphors that add obvious positive or negative connotations.
• Replace them with imagery that reinforces the subject without making a value judgment, or use a plain chart if no neutral image fits.
• After removing the imagery, review the title, labels, ordering, and scale for remaining persuasive cues.