One job
A chart is evidence, not decoration. Read the title, axes, scale, labels, and source before you believe the claim.
Your question is simple: does the chart make the difference look bigger, smaller, or clearer than the data deserves?
Start with the claim
Most misleading charts begin with a sentence like “Our feature doubled engagement.” The chart may only show a tiny sample, a short time window, or a change from 2 users to 4 users.
Do not fight the chart first. First write the claim in plain words. Then check if the chart has enough information to support that claim.
Read it in order
Do each one yourself, then tap it to tick it off. The ticks are only a checklist for you: they are not marked or scored.
0 of 5 done
Axis traps
A bar chart should usually start at zero. If it starts at 80, a small difference can look huge. This is common in pitch decks and college project posters.
Line charts can use a non-zero y-axis when the goal is to show movement over time, but the scale must be clear. Never hide the baseline to make your result look better.
Fix the chart data
Suppose your hackathon app tracks weekly sign-ups from two colleges. This CSV is small, but it is honest because it shows counts, dates, and groups.
You can chart it with any tool later. The important part is that the reader can see what was measured.
week,college,signup_count
2026-01-05,College A,42
2026-01-12,College A,47
2026-01-19,College A,51
2026-01-05,College B,39
2026-01-12,College B,40
2026-01-19,College B,44Use AI carefully
You can ask ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to review your chart. Paste the chart title, axis labels, data table, and the claim. Ask: “What could mislead a reader here?”
Check the answer yourself. AI may suggest problems that do not apply, or miss the main issue: unclear sample, missing baseline, or a claim that goes beyond the data.
Better chart choices
Use a bar chart for comparing categories, like sign-ups by referral source. Use a line chart for change over time, like daily active users across two weeks.
Avoid 3D charts and pie charts with too many slices. If your reader needs to calculate in their head, use a simpler chart or add labels.
Do this now
Do each one yourself, then tap it to tick it off. The ticks are only a checklist for you: they are not marked or scored.
0 of 5 done