Visual Rhetoric & Slidecraft
Data Storytelling Arc
Structure data presentations with context, conflict, and resolution to make numbers compelling.
What it is
Before & after
“Here are 12 charts showing various metrics with no connecting narrative or clear message progression”
“Chart 1: Our baseline performance. Chart 2: The problem emerges. Chart 3: Root cause revealed. Chart 4: Solution implemented. Chart 5: Results achieved.”
When you’ll use it
Performance reviews: Start with baseline, show unexpected dip (tension), reveal root cause analysis and recovery plan (resolution)
Market analysis: Establish industry context, highlight competitive threats (conflict), present strategic response with projected outcomes
Budget proposals: Show current constraints (context), demonstrate resource gap impact (tension), propose investment with ROI projections (resolution)
Pro tip
Data without story is just numbers. Give your charts a beginning, middle, and end.
Questions & answers
3 questionsLearn more
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