Module 4.2: Telling Stories with Data

Introduction

Guiding Questions

What types of stories can we use to narrate and contextualize data?
What elements are essential for responsible storytelling?
How can we bring multiple perspectives in to interpret the data?

Vignette

During previous community brainstorming sessions, several community members told stories of how their lives had been impacted by broadband and Wi-Fi availability in their area. The librarian wants to work with community members to share their stories in relation to the open civic data sets. The librarian reaches out to a writer in the community, who agrees to work with community members on various formats, like photo essays, poems, written stories, and zines, as ways to provide context to the data.

Instructional Materials

Video

Video Files

Script and Slide Deck

Script and Slide Deck Files

Activities

Activity 1: Finding a Data Story

Overview:

The goal of this activity is to build comfort with finding stories in a sample data.

This activity should be done in a group setting.

Supplies:

Print copies of the Tree Data and Street Map
Craft materials such as markers, colored pencils, stickers, or scrap paper

Time: 20-30 minutes

Activity:

Set up

Hand out the tree dataset with tree type and condition as well as a map with the location of the trees. The number ID in the dataset corresponds with the numbers on the map.

[Note: If the facilitator would like, they can begin the activity by having participants organize the data in some way – for example, tallying the trees by condition. But we find it’s generative to let participants explore the data on their own!]

2. Find a data story (15 minutes)

In pairs, participants should explore the (imaginary) tree dataset and related map to find a story related to the trees in the community. As participants do this, invite them to think about the data story types explored in Module 4.2.

3. Share-out (10 minutes)

Reconvene as a group and share data stories!

Activity 2: Reading Data Stories

Overview: In this activity, you will “read” a library data story, considering the purpose, message, audience, and storytelling approaches present. The goal with this activity is to apply a critical reading approach to a data story.

This activity can be done individually or in a group.

Supplies: Printed or digital copy of the “Eliminating Late Fines” infographic by Colorado State Library (or another data story/infographic that has a local connection!)

Time: 15 minutes

Activity:

Set-up

Libraries have long used fines as a means to encourage return of materials and to generate revenue. But data have challenged assumptions about the efficacy of fines and have revealed harms created by this practice.

“Anywhere Public Library” has created an infographic that presents data related to the library late fines.[1]

If working in a group, distribute the infographic as print copies or project it on a screen for the group to look at and discuss.

2. Review the infographic and consider:

What story is the creator trying to tell? What is their goal?
Who may be the intended audience?
What might the underlying data look like?
What other questions does this data story make you ask?
In Module 4.2, we discussed types of stories present in data. In this infographic, what types of data stories is Anywhere Public Library presenting? [factoid, interaction story, comparison story, change story, personal story?]
What is missing from this story?

[1] Colorado State Library created this infographic as a template for libraries to adapt to tell a data story about library late fines. Remember -- this is just an example! You can swap in another data story that is relevant to your audience!

Activity Files

PreviousModule 4.1: Defining Data Visualization NextModule 4.3: Outreach on Open Civic Data

Last updated 3 years ago