A scatterplot is where relationships come to tell the truth. Start with four questions: direction (up, down, none), form (straight, curved), strength (tight, loose), and outliers (the rebels). Don’t rush to a trendline; earn it by describing the shape first. If the dots stack, add a touch of jitter or adjust transparency. Scale both axes to the data you have, not the drama you want. Label the outlier you’d investigate tomorrow and write the next action it suggests. The magic isn’t the equation; it’s the moment you notice the pattern that changes what you’ll try next.
