I just read the results of some research from Cornell University which makes interesting reading.

Researchers Aner Tal and Brian Wansink presented the study participants with a description of a medicine. Half the group were also shown accompanying graphs and charts, that added no new information to the description. The group that was shown the charts, found the information more persuasive than the control group, even though the graphs and charts added nothing new.

The research doesn’t say why this is. Perhaps some people like pictorial representations or maybe some take the view that if it’s in a chart it must be true. Either way, it’s a valuable lesson – if you want to get your point across in a written or verbal presentation, illustrate it with charts.