Session 5

1. ASSEMBLING A NARRATIVE
PLAN601E VERBAL AND VISUAL: INFORMATION GRAPHICS (SESSION 5)

2. Pose a problem: “An outcast patriarch tries to win back
his family’s good graces.”
PREMISE: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT
THAT DRIVES THE PLOT

3. Ask a question: “What if you had to live the same day over
and over?”
PREMISE: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT
THAT DRIVES THE PLOT

4. Trace a route: “Find 100,000 deutsch marks and get
across town (i.e. the roads not taken).”
PREMISE: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT
THAT DRIVES THE PLOT

5. THREE ACT STORY
ACT 1: SET UP – SETTING, CHARACTERS, AND PROBLEM INTRODUCED
Confined to a wheelchair, Jefferies spends the day watching his neighbors. Lisa wants Jefferies,
but he acts distracted.
ACT 2: TURNING POINT – PROBLEM GETS COMPLEX
A neighbor appears to have killed a dog that was digging up the garden; Jefferies thinks the neighbor has murdered his
wife, but his detective friend doesn’t believe him.
ACT 3: DENOUEMENT – CLIMAX HAPPENS AND PROBLEM RESOLVED
Jefferies convinces Lisa to sneak into the neighbor’s apartment to find evidence of the murder, but they both almost get
murdered themselves. Now that she is a co-conspirer, Jefferies agrees to marry Lisa. Lisa is happy.
Organize a presentation with three “acts” or “chapters”: 1) set the characters
and context; 2) detail a problem; 3) resolve the problem. Let story lead your
narrative, not data.

6. WAYS TO TELL A STORY
Organize a presentation with three “acts” or “chapters”: 1) set the characters
and context; 2) detail a problem; 3) resolve the problem. Let story lead your
narrative, not data.
BUILD A CASE
Provide information and argue for a specific
interpretation – reveal a way to look at the world
ACT 1: Background information
ACT 2: Analysis
ACT 3: Findings or proposal

7. WAYS TO TELL A STORY
Organize a presentation with three “acts” or “chapters”: 1) set the characters
and context; 2) detail a problem; 3) resolve the problem. Let story lead your
narrative, not data.
GIVE A SUMMATIVE TOUR
Describe existing conditions in depth and volume that
puts a single phenomenon in context
ACT 1: Individual instances
ACT 2: Explain phenomena
ACT 3: Draw phenomenon into context and draw
conclusions

8. WAYS TO TELL A STORY
Organize a presentation with three “acts” or “chapters”: 1) set the characters
and context; 2) detail a problem; 3) resolve the problem – narrate with stories
not data
EXPLORE A SCENARIO
Explain a problem or condition through the experience
of stakeholders
ACT 1: Describe a character and their issues/concerns
ACT 2: Detail the mechanism that could serve them
ACT 3: Describe how the character is served
by the proposed program or service

9. WAYS TO TELL A STORY
Organize a presentation with three “acts” or “chapters”: 1) set the characters
and context; 2) detail a problem; 3) resolve the problem. Let story lead your
narrative, not data.
EVALUATION
Explore the strengths and weaknesses of a given
phenomenon, issue or dimension
ACT 1: Set a baseline: establish existing conditions
and explain them in context
ACT 2: Evaluate conditions or solutions via matrix
comparison, continuum, pros and cons, etc.
ACT 3: Make recommendations

10. What is the premise?
What are the three acts? Are they the same in both
poster and presentation? Are they equally clear in both?
What elements get prioritized in the visual hierarchy
for each? How does that inflect the narrative?
What content is harder or easier to engage with in the
different formats? Why?
What stylistic elements are used differently, and why?
REVIEWING PREVIOUS STUDENTS’ WORK

11. ELEMENTS OF A STORYBOARD

12. ELEMENTS OF A STORYBOARD
DIALOGUE
WHAT YOU SEE
HOW THIS FITS IN SEQUENCE
NOTES ON WHAT YOU SEE

13. ELEMENTS OF A STORYBOARD
Storyboards do not have to be well drawn. They only have
to communicate your ideas (and should be more explicit
than this one)

14. ACT 1
MAIN IDEA
ACT 2
MAIN IDEA
ACT 3
MAIN IDEA
1) Make a grid with three acts and write out the main idea
of each act
STORYBOARDING:
COLLAGE APPROACH

15. 2) Write all of your content onto post-its or index cards.STORYBOARDING:
COLLAGE APPROACH
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEAOBSERVATION
DIAGRAM
GRAPH
GRAPH
GRAPH
GRAPH
MAP / DRAWING
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO

16. ACT 1
MAIN IDEA
ACT 2
MAIN IDEA
ACT 3
MAIN IDEA
3) Place the post-its or index cards into the grid, grouping
content based on the ideas you want to express.
STORYBOARDING:
COLLAGE APPROACH
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEAIDEA
GRAPH
GRAPH
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
PHOTO PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM

17. ACT 1
MAIN IDEA
ACT 2
MAIN IDEA
ACT 3
MAIN IDEA
4) Talk through your presentation – thinking especially about how
you transition from one idea to another. What else do you need?
STORYBOARDING:
COLLAGE APPROACH
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEAIDEA
GRAPH
GRAPH
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
PHOTO PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM

18. ACT 1
MAIN IDEA
ACT 2
MAIN IDEA
ACT 3
MAIN IDEA
5) Revise. Re-sequence or re-group post-its/cards; re-visit main ideas;
edit and identify gaps in content (ideas and/or visuals).
STORYBOARDING:
COLLAGE APPROACH
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEAIDEA
GRAPH
GRAPH
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
MAP / DRAWING
PHOTO PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM
DIAGRAM

19. 1) Draw grid of boxes, leaving column on right for your premise,
main ideas and supporting ideas and background information.
STORYBOARDING:
BLANK PAGE APPROACH
Premise:
Main Ideas:
Supporting ideas,
background, clarification:

20. 2) Assign each box a message to convey (these can later become
headlines).
STORYBOARDING:
BLANK PAGE APPROACH
Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Premise:
Main Ideas:
Supporting ideas,
background, clarification:

21. Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Premise:
Main Ideas:
Supporting ideas,
background, clarification:
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
3) Sketch content into each frame, including key facts, graphics and
photo documentation to support the message.
STORYBOARDING:
BLANK PAGE APPROACH

22. Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Premise:
Main Ideas:
Supporting ideas,
background, clarification:
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
4) Talk through your presentation – how do the transitions work? Does
the content support your premise and your main ideas? Does it require
more supporting information or clarification?
STORYBOARDING:
BLANK PAGE APPROACH

23. Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Message Message Message
Premise:
Main Ideas:
Supporting ideas,
background, clarification:
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
FACT
IDEA IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
IDEA
5) Revise. Re-sequence / re-group cards; re-visit main ideas; edit and
identify gaps in content (ideas / visuals).
STORYBOARDING:
BLANK PAGE APPROACH

24. 1) Brain dump. List all main points in the order they occur to you.STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
main point A
main point b
main point N
main point X
main point v
main point L

25. 2) List any assumptions or key ideas required to understand or accept
any of these points, build any especially significant ones into the list
STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
assumption
key idea
assumptions
key idea
main point A
main point b
main point N
main point X
main point v
main point L

26. 4
7
3) Put your list in sequence.STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
assumption
key idea
assumptions
key idea
main point A
main point b
main point N
main point X
main point v
main point L
1
2
3
5 4
5
6

27. {
4
7
4) Recopy the list and identify act/chapter breaks with main ideas.
Evaluate per timing, duration and tonal needs, and readjust.
STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
assumption
key idea
assumptions
key idea
main point A
main point b
main point N
main point X
main point v
main point L
1
2
3
5 4
5
6
main point b
main point n
main point a
main point x
main point Q
main point v
main point L
main point M
existing
conditions
analysisproposals
{

28. 5) Draw out a grid of boxes on a blank sheet of paper or whiteboard.STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH

29. FACT
FACT
6) Starting at the beginning, sketch out the slides to support each
of your main points.
STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
Main Point 1 Main Point 2
Main Point 3
FACT
IDEA
FACT
Main Point 4
Main Point 5 Main Point 6
ASSUMPTION
Main Point 7
ASSUMPTION FACT
IDEA

30. Message Message Message
Message Message
Message
FACT
FACT
7) Annotate each frame with the message of that individual slide.
Confirm that that message supports the main point it is meant to.
STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
Main Point 1 Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Message
FACT
IDEA
Message Message
FACT
Main Point 4
Main Point 5
Message
Main Point 6
Message
ASSUMPTION
Main Point 7
ASSUMPTION
Message
FACT
IDEA

31. Message Message Message
Message Message
Message
FACT
FACT
8) Revise. Re-sequence; evaluate coherence, timing, pace and story
arc; edit and identify gaps in content (ideas / visuals). Make additions.
STORYBOARDING:
MY APPROACH
Main Point 1 Main Point 2
Main Point 3
Message
FACT
IDEA
Message Message
FACT
Main Point 4
Main Point 5
Message
Main Point 6
Message
Main Point 7
Message
FACT
IDEA
Message
FACT
IDEA
ASSUMPTION
ASSUMPTION

32. STORYBOARDING EXERCISE
WRITE A PREMISE 10
BRAINSTORM THREE ACTS/CHAPTERS 10
BUILD YOUR STORYBOARD 20
Start with main ideas/points
GROUP DISCUSSION 20

33. ASSIGNMENT 5
Title of your
presentation
Title; 5-10 slide presentation
PDF 1, 7.5”x10”
Intertitle; 1-3 slides storyboard and revisions
Intertitle; sketches, notes, precedents and revisions Including poster sketches if you have them!
Storyboard
Sketches, notes,
precedents
and revisions
Headline tells me the
message of this slide
Me venIsque esse volorem
eveliat ab id maximetusdae
rem es quam consedi
rempori beatio doloris
soluptaqui rem quam liti
solor sae eosam in con net
de pero velitas dicit utIg-
nim idenditatia voluptatem
ellab ium quiandus sum
harum volupta vitios par-
cipsuntum qui sit dolupta
qui ut et et quo et magnimi,
net peremAcereptasimus
vit erit, ilitia destoru
ptatis mod que pereptate
molori consequ issunt quid
evelles mo et volorehent,
te qui beri aut as eligeni
comnis ut eat Me venIsque
esse volorem eveliat ab
id maximetusdae rem es
quam consedi rempori
beatio doloris soluptaqui
rem quam liti solor sae
eosam in con net de pero
velitas dicit utIgnim
idenditatia voluptatem
ellab ium quiandus sum
harum volupta vitios par-
cipsuntum qui sit dolupta
Me venIsque esse volorem eveliat ab id maximetus-
dae rem es quam consedi rempori
eosam in con net de pero velitas dicit utIgnim
idenditatia voluptatem ellab ium quiandus
sum harum volupta vitios parcipsuntum qui sit
dolupta qui ut et et quo et magnimi, net
volorem eveliat ab id maximetusdae rem es
quam consedi rempori beatio doloris solupta-
qui rem quam liti solor sae eosam in con net de
pero velitas dicit utIgnim idenditatia
suntum qui sit dolupta qui ut et et quo et
magnimi, net peremAcereptasimus vit erit,
ilitia destoru ptatis mod que pereptate molori
consequ issunt quid evelles mo et volorehent, te qui
Presentation board/poster
OPTIONAL PDF 2, 24”x36”
Title of
your poster
1
2
3

34. SCORED OUT OF 20 POINTS
Clarity and coherence
of narrative constructed? (/6)
Thoughtfulness, suitability and/or
creativity in representation? (/5)
Engagement with and evaluation
of different representational strategies
(as evidenced in the slide deck by sketches,
precedents, notes and finished work)? (/5)
Deployment of tools demonstrated
and feedback provided in the course? (/4)
ASSIGNMENT 5
Poster scored out of 10 pts
No resubmissions
2 pts for each day late
Blog comments
by Thursday, midnight