1. Process
  2. Conclusions
  3. Conciseness
  4. Verbs
  5. Data
  6. Conventions

All about data

Data is meant to back up conclusions; by itself, it is nothing. The job of analyst is always to point out the patterns in the data, the largest patterns possible. Each sentence including data should be about the patterns, not the data itself.

You have problems with your data presentation in these cases:

  • Is a single sentence devoted to reporting data?

The job of sentences is to advance thinking, not to report data. Report data in tables and in parallel bullets, and if you must repeat the data, subordinate it to a main idea, a conclusion.

  • Is there no reference to data backing up the conclusions?

The reader needs to understand the basis for conclusions drawn.

  • Is the data presented in parentheses?

The parenthetical subordination of data makes for difficult reading.

  • Is data presented that supports no stated conclusion?

Give the reader only that information that supports the conclusions you are drawing. If the data is related to no conclusive theme, it doesn't belong in the analysis. One normal way of sneaking in do-nothing data is to use metadiscourse as in "It should be noted that tax payments have increased" or a free-standing pointing-out sentence as in "The growth in tax payments must be taken into account."

  • Have you drawn all the conclusions you should?

The lack of customary data can be a clue. If your conclusions fail to deal with some traditional and customer piece of data, you might well question whether you have drawn all the appropriate conclusions.

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