Tension is a key component of story—and can be used in powerful ways to communicate in a business setting. In this episode, Cole talks tension: what it is, why you should care, and how to identify and use it in your data stories and beyond. Tune in also to hear common questions related to communicating with tension and their answers, plus related resources that will improve your next graph or presentation.

Listening time 35:00 |  related links:

• Article: a quick presentation makeover

• Article: the structure(s) of story

• Article: when tension is high, get to the point

• Book: storytelling with you

• Book: let’s practice!

• Exercise: build the tension

• Resource: big idea worksheet

• Video channel: SWD YouTube

• Video series: storytelling with cole

• Video: dashboard to data story makeover

• Video: record yourself

• Video: create a storyboard

• Video: focus attention in data viz

• Video: avoid these 5 slide mistakes

• Video: the final presentation

• Video: don’t keep me in suspense (open to premium)

• Workshops: 2023 calendar (use special code PODCAST10)

• University: instructor resources