UH-Victoria

Academic Center

Using Visual Aids:
Illustrations and Photographs

Maps and Clip Art

Maps are useful for helping students to visualize where a specific location or object is in relation to other locations or objects and may be used to show geographic, demographic or topical data. However, do not use hand-drawn graphics to create a map that already exists in print form. Pre-printed maps are more likely to be accurate than your own hand-drawn version.

There is great variety in the type of map that you may choose to include in your written assignment, but remember to give credit where credit is due. Realize that maps typically include information according to a scale and have a date, title and legend. Make sure that all historical and geographical information presented is completely accurate.

With the popularity of computers, clip art has become an acceptable medium for written communication. However, the fact is that much ready-to-use art does not look professional enough for formal documents. It is best to avoid using clip art in scholarly projects or reports, but in newsletters or worksheets clip art is acceptable and beneficial because it gives readers a break from text by presenting a visual image. Clip art makes the document look friendly and less intimidating. The bottom line is that clip art may be used, but it is always best to carefully evaluate the circumstances before placing it in any written document.