Schaubild

Schaubild is a German term used to denote a visual representation that accompanies and clarifies written text. It encompasses a range of forms, including charts, diagrams, graphs, schematics, maps, or photographs, and is intended to convey information more succinctly or illustrate relationships, processes, or distributions.

In scholarly and technical writing, Schaubilds are usually labeled and captioned to aid interpretation. A caption may include a brief description, the source of data, and units of measurement. Authors reference Schaubilds in the running text, for example by noting what is shown in Schaubild 1. The production of Schaubilds can be manual or created with software such as spreadsheet programs, statistics packages, or drawing tools, and they are commonly embedded within documents or presented as figures in publications.

Etymology and usage: Schaubild is a generic term that emphasizes the act of showing or illustrating. It is related to, but distinct from, Abbildung (more broadly “figure”) and Diagramm (often used for diagrams showing relationships or structures). In German-language texts, Schaubilds are frequently utilized for data visuals (such as Balkendiagramm, Liniendiagramm, Kreisdiagramm), as well as for schematic representations of concepts or processes.

Best practices for Schaubilds include clear axis labels, legible typography, appropriate scales to avoid misinterpretation, and transparent data sources. Good Schaubilds help readers grasp key trends and comparisons quickly, while poor ones risk confusion or bias through misleading design choices.