[Notes] How to Write a Good Scientific Paper: Figures, Part 2

Last updated Sep 16, 2019

Assuming that the final graph will fit within a single column in a two-column-per-page format.
Examples use Matplotlib

Set the chart area size to be 5 in. tall by 6.75 in. wide.
Use 4:3 as default or adjust if the data suggests a better shape.

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fig, ax1 = plt.subplots(figsize=(6.75, 5))

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plt.rcParams['font.size'] = 14
plt.rcParams['font.size'] = 12 # works too

Remove legend if not needed (put labels inside the graph if they fit rathe than using a legend).
if using a legend, try to place it within the plot area.
Remove all gridlines.

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plt.rcParams["axes.grid"] = False

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plt.rcParams['axes.edgecolor'] = 'black'
plt.rcParams['axes.linewidth'] = 1
plt.rcParams['axes.linewidth'] = 0.5 # works too

Change major tick to “cross” and minor tick to “outside”.
Format the chart area to to have no border.
Format the plot area to have a solid black border, 1pt thick and no fill.
Set the “axis crosses” point so that the two axes meet at the lower left corner.
Adjust the axes label numbers so that they have the proper number of decimal points.
If necessary, adjust the axes min and max values.
Add axis titles, 18pt (less if title is too long), no bold, use a rotated vertical title.
Data series should have a preferred color and symbol or line type/style for maximum readability.
No title.

# References