Visual Storytelling and Decision Support

Question 1

Explanatory analysis

Answer 1

1. Focus attention
2. Tell a story

Question 2

Story: key components

Answer 2

Plot - What context is essential?

Twists - What is interesting about the data and what it shows?

Ending - What do you want your audience to do? End with a call to action

Question 3

Plot: building context for your audience

Answer 3

Setting up the essential elements of the story
* The setting, main character, unresolved state of affairs, desired outcome

Why should I pay attention?
What’s in it for me?

Question 4

Twists: Middle

Answer 4

• How can we solve the problem introduced in the plot?
• “What could be”
• The goal is to convince your audience of the need for action

Question 5

Storytelling: key points

Answer 5

• Keep it simple
• Edit ruthless
• Be authentic
• Don’t communicate for yourself – communicate for your audience

Question 6

Creating a story: 5 main considerations

Answer 6

1. Align data with your message: Be selective
2. Identify the right visualization: Should be clear what you want to show
3. Remove unnecessary noise: Avoid using more than five values when possible
4. Focus on what’s important: Make issue or opportunity stand out
5. Main Point: Make sure you have a main point and that you communicate it clearly (audience shouldn’t guess)

Question 7

Narrative flow: Chronological

Answer 7

Works well if you need to establish credibility with your audience, or if they care about the process

– Identify the problem
– Gather data to better understand the situation
– Analyze the data
– A new finding or solution emerges
– A recommended action

Question 8

Narrative flow: Lead with the ending

Answer 8

Start with the call to action

This works when you’re already establish trust with your audience or they are just interested in the “So what?”