Balancing Data and Storytelling in Science Talks

Many amazing presenters fall into the trap of believing their data will speak for itself. But it never does… Our brains aren't spreadsheets, they're story processors. You may understand the importance of your data, but don't assume others do too. The truth is, data alone doesn't persuade…but the impact it has on your audience's lives does. Your job is to tell that story in your presentation. Here are a few steps to help transform your data into a story: 1. Formulate your Data Point of View. Your "DataPOV" is the big idea that all your data supports. It's not a finding; it's a clear recommendation based on what the data is telling you. Instead of "Our turnover rate increased 15% this quarter," your DataPOV might be "We need to invest $200K in management training because exit interviews show poor leadership is causing $1.2M in turnover costs." This becomes the north star for every slide, chart, and talking point. 2. Turn your DataPOV into a narrative arc. Build a complete story structure that moves from "what is" to "what could be." Open with current reality (supported by your data), build tension by showing what's at stake if nothing changes, then resolve with your recommended action. Every data point should advance this narrative, not just exist as isolated information. 3. Know your audience's decision-making role. Tailor your story based on whether your audience is a decision-maker, influencer, or implementer. Executives want clear implications and next steps. Match your storytelling pattern to their role and what you need from them. 4. Humanize your data. Behind every data point is a person with hopes, challenges, and aspirations. Instead of saying "60% of users requested this feature," share how specific individuals are struggling without it. The difference between being heard and being remembered comes down to this simple shift from stats to stories. Next time you're preparing to present data, ask yourself: "Is this just a data dump, or am I guiding my audience toward a new way of thinking?" #DataStorytelling #LeadershipCommunication #CommunicationSkills

Everyone loves a good story. You should be using your data to tell one every chance you get. The importance of narrative in scientific communication cannot be understated. And that includes communication in traditionally technical environments! One thing that gets beaten into you in graduate school is that a scientific presentation is a technical affair. Communicating science is fact based, it's black and white, here's the data, this is the conclusion, do you have any questions? Actually, I do. Did you think about what story your data could tell before you put your slides together? I know this is a somewhat provocative question because a lot of scientists overlook the importance of telling a story when they present results. But if you want to keep your audience engaged and interested in what you have to say, you should think about your narrative! This is true for a presentation at 'The Mountain Lake Lodge Meeting on Post-Initiation Activities of RNA Polymerases,' the 'ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting,' or to a class of 16 year old AP Biology Students. The narrative doesn't need to be the same for all of those audiences, BUT IT SHOULD EXIST! There is nothing more frustrating to me than seeing someone give a presentation filled with killer data only to watch them blow it by putting the entire audience to sleep with an arcane technical overview of the scientific method. Please. Tell. A. Story. With. Your. Data. Here's how: 1. Plot - the series of events that drive the story forward to its resolution. What sets the scene, the hypothesis or initial observation? How can the data be arranged to create a beginning, middle, and end? 2. Theme - Good vs Evil, Human vs Virus, Day in the life of a microbe? Have fun with this (even just as a thought experiment) because it makes a big difference. 3. Character development - the team, the protein, gene, or model system 4. Conflict - What were the blockers and obstacles? Needed a new technique? Refuting a previous finding? 5. Climax - the height of the struggle. Use your data to build to a climax. How did one question lead to another and how were any problems overcome? 6. Resolution - What's the final overall conclusion and how was the conflict that was setup in the beginning resolved by what you found? By taking the time to work through what story you can tell, you can engage your entire audience and they'll actually remember what you had to say!

Data without a story is just a spreadsheet. A story without data is just an opinion. Ever wondered why some presentations leave you stunned while others put you to sleep? The answer might be simpler than you think: It's all about how you present your data. Let's dive into a masterclass on data visualization, courtesy of Hans Rosling's iconic TED talk. Rosling starts with a bombshell: Swedish top students know statistically significantly less about the world than chimpanzees. Wait, what? He goes on… Rosling used a simple quiz: → 5 pairs of countries → Each pair: one country has twice the child mortality of the other → The task: Identify which country in each pair has higher mortality The results from his students were…shockingly bad. Why this story works: Simplicity: The test is easy to understand Contrast: Humans vs. Chimpanzees (unexpected comparison) Personal connection: We all think we're smarter than chimps Just like startups need to solve high-intensity problems, your data needs to address high-intensity curiosities. Rosling didn't pick random facts. Instead, he chose a topic that matters (child mortality), a comparison that shocks (educated humans vs. random guessing), and results that challenge assumptions (We're not as informed as we think). This is the "Intensity Imperative" of data storytelling. How to Apply This: 1/ Find the Unexpected What data point in your industry would surprise even the experts? Where do common assumptions fall apart when faced with real numbers? 2/ Make It Personal How can you frame data so your audience sees themselves in the story? What universal human experiences can you tap into? 3/ Simplify, Then Simplify Again Can you explain your key data point in one sentence? If not, keep refining until you can. 4/ Use Vivid Comparisons Instead of abstract numbers, how can you relate your data to everyday concepts? Example: "This much carbon dioxide would fill 1 million Olympic-sized swimming pools" 5/ Build Tension, Then Release Start with a question or premise. then let the data reveal the answer dramatically.

Want to tell a great story with data? Start by showing less of it. Here’s what I mean: Ever try to explain a whole chart in one breath? You throw it on the slide. Then try to walk through the whole thing while your audience reads ahead or zones out. There’s a better way. If you want to tell a story with data, don’t reveal the whole chart all at once. Break it into moments. Show just one part. Explain what’s happening. Then reveal the next part. Let the trend unfold like a story. Why it works: – It lowers cognitive load – It builds curiosity – It keeps you and your audience focused on the same thing One chart. One idea at a time. Way more memorable. Take the Alexa example below. I could show you the whole chart at once. But that gives away the ending. There’s no tension. No unfolding. Just a full picture your audience tries to make sense of. Instead, I can reveal it in steps. First, the steady rise of “Alexa” as a baby name. Then, the slow dip before 2014. Then the spike… And finally, the sharp fall once Amazon’s Alexa took over. Now it’s not just a chart. It’s a story – with a turning point, a surprise, and a punchline. All from a single line graph. P.S. Want more tips to better communicate your insights? Click 'View my newsletter' at the top of this post to get weekly tips sent straight to your inbox. —— 👋🏼 I’m Morgan. I share my favorite data viz and data storytelling tips to help other analysts (and academics) better communicate their work.