For civic sector leaders like those produced by the public administration programs at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement, presenting survey data in an engaging way requires a tactful and inclusive approach. As you develop a slideshow template, use these three tips to create approachable data visualization.
Follow the One-Page Limit for Background Information
If you aren't mathematically inclined, it's tempting to elaborate as much as possible in the first slides to make sure that the points that matter most are articulated well. Limit yourself to a one-pager or single slide to communicate the summary or background information for a clear, polished opening that isn't thwarted by long-winded paragraphs.
Substitute Bullet Points
Great presenters don't read bulleted lists from a slideshow—and it's likely that most of your audience won't be excited about it, either. If your presentation is strewn with bullets throughout (or you know that you're usually compelled to do so), start by cutting down the bullet points and replacing them with two- or three-column visuals that organize the information in a more appealing format that will demonstrate a clean, easy-to-follow flow of information.
Choose the Right Data Visualization Format
You have a myriad of data visualization formats to choose from and using the right one can make the difference between capturing key points or losing people to the less important details. Here's a breakdown of several graph types and appropriate use cases: