Take the Numb Out of Numbers
How well do they understand stats? |
|
 |
What’s the latest U.S. numeracy rate? Fewer than 10% of U.S. adults are good with numbers Count them out: Just one-third of Americans have even intermediate skills at understanding stats. |
|
|
|
 |
What are numeracy rates by country? Fewer than 12% of adults are competent at math Most of your audience members can count and perform easy math problems. But they struggle to comprehend simple charts and graphs. |
How to write about statistics |
|
 |
How to use statistics in persuasive writing Turn numbers into people and otherwise reframe the data Bring numbers to life: Make statistics more emotional by turning them into individuals. |
|
|
|
 |
Find data for writing descriptive statistics How to hunt down numerical comparisons Search for the data: Track down numerical comparisons you need to help readers understand your stats. |
|
|
|
 |
Don’t do a data dump when writing statistics Don’t make your readers’ eyes glaze over Avoid statistics soup: Only use numbers that are necessary for the reader’s understanding. |
|
|
|
 |
What’s the effect of statistics in persuasive writing? Reframe the data to improve decision-making Visual aids: The way you present, or frame, statistics changes the way people — even experts — perceive them. |
More on how to write about statistics |
|
 |
Resources on how to write about statistics Websites, books & tools Cool tools: With all the math tools available online, a math-challenged writer need hardly pick up a calculator to crunch complex number problems. |
|
|
|
 |
Quotes on writing with statistics What writers & others say “Two-thirds of all statistics are made up on the spot.” — Anonymous |
Get more tips on writing with statistics on Rev Up Readership.