How to choose the appropriate graphic representation (plot) method for the results?

Do you use a rule of thumb when deciding the type of the chart/plot you use when you want to represent the results of your research?

I would say the answer is "choose the one that represents the data best" but still there must be some type of rule where you surely don't use a given plotting method but use another one.

Or is my understanding of the purpose of plots completely wrong. Hope the more experienced scientists here provide some guidelines