A report on several climate data (with advice on data visualization)
WHAT is the key message?
Before preparing the details, decide what the audience should remember and which decision or action you want them to make.
Big Idea
Use a single, complete but not oversized sentence that explains the key message and, where appropriate, explicitly asks for the intended action.
3-minute talk
Structure: key message; context and key findings that support it; then repeat the key message.
Table Aesthetics Checklist
| Design aspect | Advice |
|---|
| Vertical alignment | Keep aligned, always |
| Horizontal alignment | Numbers right; text left; dates equi-spaced |
| Units and precision | Show units and keep only necessary precision |
| Boxes, grids and rules | Limit to the minimum |
| Whitespace | Use whitespace generously |
| Order | Use natural order when one exists |
Summary of Slide Design
| Principle | Advice |
|---|
| Main message | Remove anything that does not support it |
| Distractions | Push to background, remove, or aggregate |
| Highlight strategically | Emphasize the visual core of the message |
| Visual hierarchy | Group, prioritize and sequence components |
| Text | Use text to explain and reinforce the message |
A typical chart, reporting data...
Surface temperature change for Greece and the world.
...and a chart passing a message via the title
The same data, now accompanied by an explicit message.
Summary (always have one)
Summary
Be clear about WHO the audience is and WHY the story is told, WHAT the key message is, and HOW the message will be delivered. Plan beforehand, and keep the key message explicit.