Anchoring Meaning with Captions for Telling Better Data Stories

Captions play a critical role in effective data storytelling. Their importance can be thought of using the concept of polysemy, which refers to the multiple meanings that words and images can have. Because words and images can be interpreted in many ways, it's your job as a data storyteller to guide viewers to the intended message of your data story. To achieve this, captions must limit the possible meanings a visual image and its text can have. We call this process 'anchoring meaning'. While there may still be some sway in interpretation, the intended meaning won't entirely float away.

1. Anchoring Meaning
with Captions
Data Storytelling with
Prof Anna Feigenbaum
Professor in Digital Storytelling
Bournemouth University
@drfigtree
@SHDCresearch
*All art in this presentation is by our design
partners Alexandra Alberda and Minute Works
unless otherwise referenced

2. FOUR PILLARS OF
VISUAL DATA STORYTELLING

3. PILLAR 3: CAPTIONS

4. CAPTIONS AS ANCHORS
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Data-Stories-Gallery/Analyzing-the-UN-s-Sustainable-Development-Goal
s-at-Gartner-Data/td-p/2527235
Data visualisations
are ‘polysemic’ –
having many or
multiple possible
meanings. Captions
work as ‘anchors’
helping to fix the
meaning of an image
in place.

5. What anchors meaning on this dashboard?
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Data-Stories-Gallery/Global-Health
-Security-funds-and-support-available-in-Health/td-p/1332206

6. Follow and Subscribe to Learn More
Data Storytelling with
Prof Anna Feigenbaum
Professor in Digital Storytelling
Bournemouth University
@drfigtree
@SHDCresearch