Plotting

Plotting is the act of creating a representation of relationships, quantities, or sequences through a visual or structured plan. In mathematics and data analysis, plotting refers to graphing functions, data points, or summary statistics to reveal patterns, trends, or outliers. In storytelling, plotting denotes the arrangement of events to form a coherent story arc.

Mathematical plotting uses coordinate systems to map a domain to a range. Common 2D plots include line graphs, scatter plots, bar charts, histograms, and heatmaps; 3D plots add depth. Plotting types include Cartesian (x, y), polar, and parametric forms. Scales can be linear or logarithmic. Plotting is aided by software and libraries such as MATLAB, Python's matplotlib and seaborn, R's ggplot2, Plotly, and Excel.

In storytelling, plotting refers to the arrangement of events to create a narrative, often following a structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) or other arcs. Plotting involves outlining, pacing, foreshadowing, and managing subplots, with the aim of sustaining interest and ensuring cohesion.

Best practices and considerations: for data plots, prioritize clarity, choose an appropriate chart type, ensure accurate scales, label axes, provide legends, and use accessible color choices; avoid misrepresentation. For stories, emphasize consistency in character actions, clear motivation, and effective pacing. Both forms rely on planning, iteration, and evaluation of how the representation communicates the intended information.