Laying it Out: Putting your Data in Context

Research by Segel and Heer identified seven common genres of narrative data visualization, including magazine style, annotated charts, partitioned posters, and more. These genres support different narrative structures and can be mixed creatively to suit your audience. For instance, a magazine layout might be ideal for data stories requiring extensive text, while a slideshow could better present a series of graphics leading to a final argument. Importantly, Segel and Heer found that common narrative techniques like repetition of key points, introductory texts, and final summaries are often underutilised, suggesting a potential area for improving your data storytelling.

In our trainings, we encourage data storytellers to work through which genres are best suited to their key messages and target audiences. To think outside the box, we take a look at dashboard galleries and other people's work online. What kinds of genres are they mixing? Where might you bring more creativity into creating the editorial layout of your data storytelling?

1. Laying it Out:
Putting your Data in Context
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 4: EDITORIAL

4. EDITORIAL - NARRATIVE GENRES
Segel and Heer 2010

5. 7 Genres: Magazine Style

6. 7 Genres: Slide Show

7. 7 Genres: Film/Video/Animation

8. 7 Genres: Comic Strip

9. 7 Genres: Flow Chart

10. 7 Genres: Partitioned Poster

11. 7 Genres: Annotated Chart

12. Mixing it up - What genres?
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Data-Stories-Gallery/Data
-analysis-of-fast-food-market/td-p/2617085

13. Mixing it up - What genres?
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Data-Stories-Gallery/Daily
-Habits/td-p/1523525

14. Mixing it up - What genres?
https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Data-Stories-Gallery/NFL-
Fantasy-Football-Player-Comparison-Tool/td-p/241700

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