Write precise and clear reports

Data Communication Concepts

Hadrien Lacroix

Curriculum Manager

Written report

 

A report must be clear and reproducible.

Data Communication Concepts

Write precise and clear reports

 

  • Concise
  • Precise
  • Avoid misleading and confusion
  • Meaningful message
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Empty phrases

  • Contain no information
    • It is interesting to note that
    • The fact that
    • It should be pointed out that
    • It is well known that
    • It is obvious that
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Empty phrases

  • Contain no information
  • Distracting
  • ==> should be removed
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Empty phrases

Negative ratings are associated with the words "delayed" and "shipping"

Another important point is the fact that negative ratings were associated with the words "delayed" and "shipping"

1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Concrete nouns

  • Write concrete nouns
  • Avoid "this", "that", "it"
    • Adds cognitive load
    • Distracts them from insights
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Concrete nouns

This shows an accuracy of 80% when predicting customer churn.

The model shows an accuracy of 80% when predicting customer churn.

1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

More pronouns

  • Active voice: emphasis on the author
  • Passive voice: stuffy and hard to read
  • Academic vs business context
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Redundant adjectives and adverbs

  • Phrases that say the same thing twice
    • Introduce a new
    • Done previously
  • Eliminate redundant adjective and adverbs
1 Nolan D, Stoudt S. Communicating with Data. OUP Oxford. 2021.
Data Communication Concepts

Run-on sentences

  • Two or more independent clauses connected incorrectly

    • There is a correlation between delayed shipping and customer rating, the shipping delay is the cause for negative review.

  • Correction

    • Make two sentences
    • Use dependent clause
Data Communication Concepts

Let's practice!

Data Communication Concepts

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