The next step is to select the type of visual display that best showcases your information or data, and therefore communicates your story or makes your case. It could be an illustration, quantitative data, a map, a diagram, a video, or a combination of these and other graphical elements.

Some types of visual displays are suited to showing certain types of information better than others. For example, changes in quantitative data over long periods of time are typically best represented by a line graph (see Choosing the right graph for your data). However, if your readers need to know specific data values, a table may be the most appropriate choice of display.

Whichever type of visual display you choose for information or data, it needs to be clear, simple and attractive. Be certain about what you want your audience to understand after viewing the display, and check that the display achieves this.