01
Name the question and the source material
Write the question the reader should be able to discuss after seeing the diagram. Identify the source explanation and the person responsible for checking its technical meaning. State whether the positions come from supplied measurements, a specified model or a purely schematic example. Do not let the illustrator invent missing numerical values simply to make the composition look complete. A useful brief includes audience, intended question, source reference and unresolved details. If the diagram cannot yet be specified consistently, record the missing decision before producing a final-looking image.
02
Define what each visual mark represents
List the meaning of the ball outlines, the path and any arrows or position labels. Say whether repeated outlines show different moments or different objects. If equal time intervals are intended, that requirement must come from the explanation and be stated explicitly; equally spaced drawings alone do not communicate it reliably. Mark whether the image is to scale and which dimensions are merely schematic. A reusable legend row can contain visual element, meaning, source and qualification. These entries help the author review the diagram’s claims before considering its visual polish.
03
Review the caption together with the drawing
Prepare a caption that states the diagram’s scope and the relevant schematic limits. Ask the subject reviewer to check the labels, sequence and caption as one explanation, then record any requested changes. Keep proposed marks separate from checked information while the draft develops. Include a text description that conveys the central relationship without relying on colour alone. Save the accepted brief and the reviewed version together so a later edit can be assessed against the same explanatory purpose. The completed record should identify what was reviewed, by whom and which questions remain unresolved.