The study proposes to construct a theoretical framework of analysis to investigate the difficulties of the manual construction of Cartesian graphs for undergraduate degree students in Physics under the light of the theory of semiotic representation registers by Duval and levels of processing graphic information of Postigo and Pozo. The choice of such reference is relevant because the first relates to cognitive activities, semiotic representations produced by students and the second allows you to sort the field of graphical representation in terms of levels of development and complexity of the graph produced. Based on the proposed analytical tool, a case study was developed considering the written productions and additional interviews on graduate students in physics for that purpose. The results classify the semiotic field of the graphical representation with a higher degree of analytical refinement proposed by the latter authors.
Cartesian Graphs; Semiotic Representation; Undergraduate Physic.