ETC5523: Communicating with Data

Writing Clearly and Concisely

Lecturer: Michael Lydeamore

Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics



Framing

  • Front-load your key metrics
  • Anchor in time and context / cause
  • Remove filler
  • Try and read in under 10 seconds

Executive Summaries - BLUF Structure

Bottom Line Up Front is a popular structure:

  1. Bottom line: outcome in one sentence, one key number.
  2. Drivers: 1-2 causes, selective numbers
  3. Implications: risk/uncertainty, impact
  4. Action: what to do next, and by when

Common pitfalls:

  • Weather report summaries: Make sure to say “so what”
  • Jargon and metrics without context
  • Laundry list of numbers
  • Burying the ask

Consider writing techniques:

  • Signposting: “The key takeaway is that…”
  • Old to new: “Compared to last year, this year…”
  • Internal summaries:
  • Repeat keywords
  • Transition gracefully

What is a good caption?

  • Who/what/when, unit/denominator, and critical caveats
  • State the takeaway
  • <= 3 numbers, avoiding method details unless essential

Checklist: Scope · Takeaway · Units/denominators · Selective Numbers · Caveats