Historians are experts at assessing and analyzing documents to build a narrative but may be stymied by numbers. Charts (tables, graphs, maps, diagrams, and so on) provide a graphical view of information and can be a powerful way to display evidence. This toolkit provides a series of resources for students to read, interpret, and think critically about charts in textbooks and historical documents. It has three main parts: (i) the Glossary of Charts Terms, (ii) the Glossary of Chart Types, and (iii) Historical Inquiry Questions for Charts. It also includes a suggested procedure for how to use the Toolkit. Keep the Toolkit resources bookmarked to use each time you come across a chart for study.
Note: If you would like to suggest a term or chart to enhance our glossaries, please contact eva.k.johnston@stls.frb.org and we will consider adding it.
• Toolkit (pdf)
• Glossary of Charts Terms (pdf)
• Glossary of Chart Types (pdf)
• Historical Inquiry Questions for Charts (pdf)
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