Draw a graph. Use a pencil and a ruler to make two straight lines, one vertical and one horizontal that intersect each other.
Label the horizontal axis "x" and the vertical axis "y."
Label the point your axes intersect "0." This is your origin. Label positive points of equal increments on the vertical axis above the origin and on the horizontal axis to the right of the origin. Label negative points of equal increments on the vertical axis below the origin and on the horizontal axis to the left of the origin. This is your scale.
Gather coordinates. For example, the linear equation is: y = 2x + 3. This takes the form "y = mx + b" where "m" = slope and "b" = y-intercept. Select values of x to get outputs of y. For example, substitute the x-values -1, 0 and 1 each into your linear equation. The corresponding y-values = 1, 3 and 5, respectively. Therefore, the three coordinates are (-1,1), (0,3) and (1, 5). You can use any coordinates for this exercise.
Plot the coordinates on your graph by lightly drawing a small point at that coordinate. For example, for coordinate (-1,1), locate "-1" on your x-axis and "1" on your y-axis. Make a small point at that coordinate. Do the same for the other coordinates.
Use the ruler to draw a straight line joining the coordinates. Extend the line in both directions to the edge of your graph.