WEEK 8: presenting data stories

STEP 1 | Begin your week by joining us for our live lecture

In our final week of the course, we bring everything together as we explore presenting data stories. We’ve already spent a lot of time learning about planning and creating effective materials, so our primary focus this week is on you and the important role you play in communicating the data stories that you build. Join us for lecture on Monday, March 3 at 11AM ET.

You can watch the presenting data stories lecture recording below:

STEP 2 | Review learning materials

choose a format that will help you learn best–select at least one from the section below

READ | storytelling with you chapter 9
refine through practice (pages 219-240)
You’ve thoughtfully planned and created your content, now its time to make sure you communicate it well. This chapter focuses on you as the presenter.

LISTEN | SWD podcast episode 6: say it out loud
listening time 39:55 (transcript)
Whether it’s a graph, a slide, a presentation, your message, a story—there can be immense value in talking through it out loud. In this session, Cole discusses her experiences and the benefits to speaking out loud to refine, practice, and identify better solutions.

WATCH | presenting data
viewing time 61:48
We spend a great deal of time designing effective graphs and slides—but how can you prepare yourself to deliver a stellar presentation or simply talk through your data in a way that’s easy for others to understand? Cole covers tactics for presenting powerfully.

STEP 3 | Submit the weekly synthesize activity

required for certificate of completion

SYNTHESIZE | apply this week’s learnings to your course project
Now is the time to complete your course project. Finalize your materials, hone your presentation skills, and deliver a knockout final presentation. Turn in your final project here by March 30, 2025.

STEP 4 | Explore optional resources to support your learning

OFFICE HOURS

We’ll have two sessions of office hours this week. These are optional sessions that you can join to ask me questions or chat. Alternatively, if you aren’t able to attend a session this week you can submit a question here.

Recommended resources
following lecture dive deeper into topics of your choosing

PRACTICE | learn from TED
The presenter plays a critical role in any data-driven presentation. This exercise invites you to learn by watching someone else of your choice present. You’ll evaluate what they do effectively and think about what aspects you might incorporate to improve your own delivery.

READ | how you say it matters
In this short post, Alex shares three active things she has done (and continues to do regularly) to become a better presenter. Consider when and how you might make use of these tactics as you prepare to present your course project and in your daily work in general.

LISTEN | SWD podcast episode 70: prepare to present
listening time 25:33
Cole walks listeners through her process of preparing for a recent presentation—hear how a visual navigation scheme can help you stay on track as you present and create memorable takeaways for your audience, the major benefits of practicing aloud, and more.

WATCH | how you look & how you sound
viewing time 9:13
Cole guides you through the simple process of recording yourself to improve how you communicate—including specifics to watch and listen for to refine your presentation skills from good to great.

Congratulations! You’ve done it: enthusiastically worked your way through eight weeks of lectures and assignments. We have covered a great deal of material. Now is the time to start integrating pieces of it thoughtfully into your daily work as you continue to hone your skills. Be patient: it takes time, iteration, and ongoing practice.

Refer back to the many resources you’ve been exposed to in the course when you encounter challenges. The books, the blog, the podcast, and—of course—the SWD community are tools you can continue use in your data storytelling journey. In particular, I encourage you to utilize the premium components of the SWD community that you have access to for an additional three months as part of this course: office hours, videos, and virtual events.

All that’s left to do now related to the course is complete and turn in your course project. As a reminder, the final due date for your weekly synthesize activities and course project is March 30, 2025. These are required to receive the course completion certificate.

Thank you for taking this journey with us. We have very much enjoyed getting to know you and appreciated your engagement. It’s been terrific to see learnings put into practice through weekly activities—and soon, through your course project. You’ve learned, you’ve practiced—you have what you need to influence positive change through the stories you tell with data. I wish you tremendous success. Go forth and inspire!