List and discuss five suggestions related to constructing bar charts.

Answers will vary. A bar chart is an effective graphic for comparing quantities. A few suggestions related to constructing bar charts are as follows:
a. Avoid visual distortion that could exaggerate the data. Begin the quantitative axis at zero, divide the bars into equal increments, and use bars of equal width.
b. Position bars chronologically or in some other logical order.
c. Use color to convey meaning. For example, use variations in color to distinguish among the bars when the bars represent different data. Avoid large surfaces of bright colors that may be tiring to the audience and detract from the data.
d. Avoid fancy formatting such as 3D that makes values more difficult to distinguish.
e. Keep the labeling simple to reduce clutter and increase readability. Exclude nonessential information such as data labels, gridlines, and explanatory notes if the meaning is understood. To determine labeling needs, consider the audience's use of the data. Omit actual amounts if a visual estimate is adequate for understanding the relationships presented in the chart. Include the data values above the bars or as a data table for an audience who expects specific data.