The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Read the instructions carefully. Highlight the major questions being asked and the goals of the assignment. 

This resource provides a list of questions to consider about your assignment. 

If you have questions, ask your instructor during their office hours. You can also make an appointment with a writing consultant from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center.

If you’ve never created an infographic before or would like a refresher, review the UT Libraries Data Visualization resources.

Examine examples of infographics from this resource on infographic storytelling. Pay attention to the visual and structural organization of the samples. Consider how they incorporate text and images. Analyze the types of information presented, the role of visuals, and the use of design elements like fonts, colors, and white space. Think ahead to how you might share data visually.

For this project, gather your resources. They may include your assigned readings, your notes, and other sources for the project.

(This step should take 5% of your project time.)
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If you have the option to choose the topic and focus for your infographic, select one that matters to you!  

• Ask yourself: What do you want to know more about? What topic corresponds to issues you’re already interested in? Try doing some brainstorming through the center-of-gravity technique, creating a concept map, or mind-mapping.
• As you brainstorm, start a list of keywords that you can use to search for relevant sources. 

Write a guiding statement such as “My infographic will explore…”.  Be sure to double-check your instructor’s guidelines about the type of research inquiry you’re being asked to do. Follow these suggestions for drafting a research question, if applicable.

To craft an effective infographic, you’ll need to consider the rhetorical situation in which you are operating. You need to understand who your audience is, what they value, and how best to communicate with them. These questions can help you identify your intended audience. Composing for the general public is different from writing academic essays. Be sure to check out this article on writing for public audiences. 

As you work, be sure to refer back to your assignment sheet to help guide you. Get guidance from your instructor when needed. 

(This step should take 5% of your project time.)
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All infographics draw on information you find through research. As you begin, make sure you know what type of sources your instructor wants you to draw from. For multimodal projects, credible sources can include, but are not limited to:

• .gov websites 
• Non-profit websites 
• Well known newspapers and magazines that are fact-checked
• Professional organizations
  • Examples include the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Scientific and medical organizations
  • Examples include the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

As you research, be sure to save your sources and write notes. PowerNotes is a great tool for annotating and saving sources. It is available for free to UTK students!

Also, refer back frequently to the guiding statement you drafted in Step 2 to make you’re on track with your intended focus.

(This step should take 20% of your project time.)
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Before you begin drafting your project, be sure to identify your audience. Consider who will engage with your infographic—academics, professionals, the general public, or a more specific public audience. You will need to tailor your language and visuals to your audience’s interests, knowledge level, and needs.  

Once you’ve targeted your audience, consider your rhetorical purpose. Are you aiming to inform? Persuade? Raise awareness? There are many rhetorical purposes for you to consider. Your assignment’s instructions can often guide you toward an appropriate choice. Always consult your instructor if you are unsure. 

With your purpose in mind, look for patterns and themes in your research. What have you found out that helps you answer the guiding statement you identified earlier?

Draft a main claim for your infographic. (It will change as you work with your topic, and you will eventually create a final claim, not just state facts.)

Plan out the parts of the infographic. Use tools like the Purdue OWL Data Visualization Guide to ensure your data is accurate and well organized. 

Your infographic should convey a narrative or a clear message. Follow the principles of infographic storytelling to structure your information. Your infographic should engage your audience, effectively communicate your key points, and accomplish your rhetorical purpose. You can also check out some examples of multi-page infographics here. 

This is a great time to visit your instructor or TA during their office hours or make an appointment with a writing consultant from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center to sort through and clarify your ideas for your infographic.

(This step should take 20% of your project time.)
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Determine what type of visuals—charts, graphs, icons, or images—best represent your data. Decide whether a simple or complex visual is appropriate for your content and your audience. Use UT Libraries Data Visualization resources to apply best practices for displaying data. Ensure that your visual representations are accurate, clear, and enhance your audience’s understanding of the data.

Use a design tool like Canva to start creating your infographic. Canva offers a variety of templates that can serve as a foundation. Focus on the following design elements:

• Color Scheme: Choose a color palette that aligns with your topic and audience. Avoid using too many colors to maintain visual harmony. 
• Typography: Select fonts that are readable and professional. Use different font sizes to establish a hierarchy of information.
• Layout and White Space: Organize content in a way that guides the reader’s eye through the infographic. Use white space to avoid overcrowding and to make the infographic easier to read.
• Accessibility: Make sure color contrast, font size, and other elements are accessible for all readers. 

Use royalty-free images from Canva, Pixabay, and/or Unsplash, and/or create your own images and graphics. Always credit any visuals you’ve been granted permission to use by others.

Sources for infographics are typically cited in ways that fit the visual and concise nature of the format. Common methods include footnotes or endnotes, text boxes or captions, hyperlinks (for digital infographics), or a source list at the bottom of the document. Make sure citations are clear, legible, and that they don’t distract from the visual appeal of the infographic.

(This step should take 25% of your project time.)

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First, review your assignment guidelines and/or rubric.

Get feedback from your instructor their office hours, from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center, or from a peer.

Review these tips for Incorporating Peer and Instructor Feedback.

(This step should take 10% of your project time.)
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Try the “read out loud” approach to review your work–it can help you find things you might otherwise miss. 

Write down at least 2-3 major things you need to revise. Before focusing on small design details, consider:

• the main message of the infographic;
• the logical flow of information;
• and the quality and clarity of the data and visuals you present.

Revise as needed, based on your own review and the feedback you received.

If you need to do further research because there are gaps in your claim or evidence, you can use UT Libraries resources for finding sources–and remember, it’s always a good idea to ask a Librarian for help.

(This step should take 10% of your project time.)
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Review the assignment guidelines and/or rubric one last time.

Proofread your work carefully and slowly. Review your infographic by assessing the text and visuals for accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Check for spelling, grammar, and design errors, and, if you are creating a digital infographic, verify that all links work correctly.

(This step should take 5% of your project time.)

Return to the Assignment Planners main page.