data-narrative-builder

• SKILL.mdcore · 2,999 bytes
• assets/narrative_template.mddoc · 1,899 bytes
• references/data_writing_guide.mddoc · 2,952 bytes
• references/narrative_frameworks.mddoc · 3,108 bytes

# Data Narrative Builder

# When to use
- A presentation exists but feels like a data dump rather than a story
- The analysis has a clear finding but the team doesn't know how to make it compelling
- The audience is senior and will not read more than 5 slides
- A decision needs to be made and the data needs to make a clear, emotion-aware argument
- A recurring report needs to be restructured around a narrative rather than a metric list

# Process
1. **Identify the central message** — write the single most important thing the audience should know and do after seeing this. Everything else is supporting material. If there's more than one message, there are multiple presentations.
2. **Choose a narrative framework** — select the structure that fits the context. Situation–Complication–Resolution works for most problem/solution stories. Before–After–Bridge is strong for demonstrating impact. See `references/narrative_frameworks.md` for all patterns with examples.
3. **Assign an emotional arc** — map each section to an intended emotional state: establish comfort (Situation), introduce tension (Complication), offer confidence (Resolution). Tone and data emphasis should match the intended emotion at each stage.
4. **Draft each section with data woven in** — apply the pyramid principle: lead with the conclusion, then support it with evidence. Numbers must serve the narrative, not interrupt it. Round large numbers for recall; humanise by expressing impact in terms the audience cares about.