Using Charts to Organize Information

Charts

Through Elkin’s essay he helps the reader to see and understand how we use charts to organize information of all kinds. His essay was easy to comprehend and he didn’t have to use big and complex words to get his points across. For many individuals just the topic of the periodic table of elements sounds confusing. I think that Elkin did a really good job of expressing to the audience that charts are used in different ways for many diverse things. Charts help us to arrange our information into a more systemized way of thinking. Many of us use charts everyday, whether it is writing in your daily planner (calendar), going to get your eyes checked (eye chart) or making sure you are eating good to maintain a healthy diet (food pyramid).

There many are so many different types of charts and they are all used for many different reasons. One good example of a chart that majority of people are familiar with is the calendar. Calendars are used by almost everyone and they are extremely useful in the way that we can organize our plans, ideas and important dates. Calendars help individuals to keep track of all the obligations and prior commitments they have made. There are countless styles of calendars; some have photos, others are colorful. Individuals buy calendars for certain reasons and they buy the one that is most appealing to them.

Each calendar is designed differently because there are many diverse types of people and each person is different in terms of the way they think. Some calendars are just one page. They have the entire year printed on one piece of paper. This kind of calendar might be useful to individuals who don’t like having their life planned out. They kind of go with the flow. On the other hand, a person who writes every detail about their life might be more likely to use a daily planner or full size 12 month calendar. Some people like having calendars for decoration and they could be decorated with photos of family and friends.

Personally, I enjoy using a daily planner because I am able to keep track of all the important dates, birthdays and other commitments in my life. I am a very organized person and like having everything written down because I have many obligations and I tend to forget if I don’t make note of them. I also collect Marilyn Monroe calendars, which I write on and use for decoration in my room.

Another great example of a chart is the food pyramid. The food pyramid helps us to organize the food groups, which helps people to eat healthy and balanced meals. There are many versions of the food pyramid, just as with any other type of chart. Some of the food pyramids have pictures, some do not. Typically the food pyramid is a chart that is very easy to read and it is effortless to find how many servings you need of each food group.

I believe that the more people learn about charts, the more they will appreciate and understand how to use them. They are an excellent way to organize information of all sorts. Through Elkin’s essay on the periodic table of elements we are able to see many other connections. Charts are used in many different ways and have many different uses. From eye charts, to calendars to constellation charts, they all are able to help individuals in leaning and organizing information.