Mapping It Out: Expository Cartography for the Humanities and Social Sciences

by Mark Monmonier

Writers know only too well how long it can take—and how awkward it can be—to describe spatial relationships with words alone. And while a map might not always be worth a thousand words, a good one can help writers communicate an argument or explanation clearly, succinctly, and effectively.

In his acclaimed How to Lie with Maps, Mark Monmonier showed how maps can distort facts. In Mapping it Expository Cartography for the Humanities and Social Sciences, he shows authors and scholars how they can use expository cartography—the visual, two-dimensional organization of information—to heighten the impact of their books and articles.

This concise, practical book is an introduction to the fundamental principles of graphic logic and design, from the basics of scale to the complex mapping of movement or change. Monmonier helps writers and researchers decide when maps are most useful and what formats work best in a wide range of subject areas, from literary criticism to sociology. He demonstrates, for example, various techniques for representing changes and patterns; different typefaces and how they can either clarify or confuse information; and the effectiveness of less traditional map forms, such as visibility base maps, frame-rectangle symbols, and complementary scatterplot designs for conveying complex spatial relationships.

There is also a wealth of practical information on map compilation, cartobibliographies, copyright and permissions, facsimile reproduction, and the evaluation of source materials. Appendixes discuss the benefits and limitations of electronic graphics and pen-and-ink drafting, and how to work with a cartographic illustrator.

Clearly written, and filled with real-world examples, Mapping it Out demystifies mapmaking for anyone writing in the humanities and social sciences.

"A useful guide to a subject most people probably take too much for granted. It shows how map makers translate abstract data into eye-catching cartograms, as they are called. It combats cartographic illiteracy. It fights cartophobia. It may even teach you to find your way."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times

Genres: Geography

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Mark Stephen Monmonier is an American author and a Distinguished Professor of Geography at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

He specializes in toponymy, geography, and geographic information systems. His popular written works show a combination of serious study and a sense of humor. His most famous work is How To Lie With Maps (1991), in which he challenges the common belief that maps inherently show an unbiased truth.

Reviews

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Mapping It Out, Mark Monmonier provides the Humanities and Social Sciences scholar with easy-to-understand tips and explanations as to how to use maps to their fullest potential both to explicate information and ask and answer research questions. Although published in 1993, most of Monmonier's information and advice is still applicable to current mapping technology, mainly because it is a guide to designing maps rather than a mapping program manual. Throughout the book, Monmonier provides helpful maps, which help to directly illustrate the points that he is making within the text. He begins by discussing the importance of wordage on a map, too little or too much wording can ruin a map's effectiveness. One of the most helpful chapters is "Chapter 2: Scale, Perspective, and Generalization." As a new mapping scholar I have found myself married to accuracy. I am afraid to generalize or exaggerate geographic features because I do not want my maps to be determined to be inaccurate or poorly made by others. Reading this chapter made me feel easier about taking advantage of authorship privilege. Monmonier shows how it is necessary at times to distort or modify map and geographic features in order to increase map usability. Anyone new to mapping should definitely read Chapter 2. Monmonier also discusses in depth the importance of map symbolization in order to provide a map with the highest possible functionality. In "Chapter 4: Map Goals, Map Titles, and Creative Labeling," he discusses how "the words on a map provide a needed link between the cartographic symbols and the natural language of authors and readers." (93) A map must have a specific goal or message in mind around which the cartographer must work in order to ensure that the map is functional. In "Chapter 5: Statistical Maps, Data Scaling, and Data Classification," he shows how to effectively symbolize statistical data on a map. This chapter introduced quite a few new techniques that I had not come across before. In Chapter's 7 and 8, Monmonier explains how to map movement and change and how to create relational maps, two skills that are particularly helpful for historians hoping to integrate maps into their historical analysis. Overall, Mapping It Out is a good primer for anyone preparing to begin a mapping project for the first time or anyone wishing to brush up on basic map design strategies.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both reaffirming and informative to read a seminal work from 1993 and be struck at how its subject matter holds true to today. Required reading for those doing data-driven visual narratives today. Beautifully articulated and logically structured, Monmonier provides graphicacy training that the widespread use of technological crutches hides us from.
Particularly struck by his appendix considering drawing media and determine when pen and ink is more appropriate than electronic means - would we even ask the question today?