Designing a usable graph requires consideration of the readers’ tasks in comprehending it. Software applications for the production of graphs may not support the design of a usable graph. Especially if the graph designer uses default settings. If an application produces graphs that fail to support the readers’ tasks, then the graph designer should (a) learn to use the optional settings on the software, (b) copy or otherwise transfer the graph into a general Graphics program that provides control over the features of the graph and edit it into a usable graph or use a different application that provides the necessary control my soft ware would not let me produce a usable graph is no more acceptable an excuse than my response time recorder would not record the data accurately articles bear the name of the author not that of a software application consequently unusable graphs will be attrib uted to the author and will impede readers understanding in addition if readers have to exert a substantial amount of cognitive effort to read a paper they may be less likely to finish it