Module 5: Building the Narrative Arc

Structure your data story with Setup, Tension, and Resolution.

1
Quick Intro
2
Guided Practice
3
Applied Task
4
Quick Refinement
1

Quick Intro

~2 min
WHAT

A narrative arc is the structure of your data story: setup → tension → resolution. Three short acts that lead the reader from context to action.

WHY

Without an arc, a data story is a pile of facts. With one, the reader knows where you started, what changed, and what to do next.

HOW IT FITS

Pillar 3 (narration). The arc is the shape of the words around your data — the reason the reader stays through the whole story.

EXAMPLE

Setup: "Munich cycling grew 22%." Tension: "But infrastructure is at capacity." Resolution: "€40M expansion unblocks the next 22%."

1

The 3-act structure

30 sec
Every data story has three parts: Setup (context), Tension (problem), Resolution (action).
Act 1: Setup
20%
Act 2: Tension
60%
Act 3: Resolution
20%
MobiDaS R7: Clear structure with a memorable headline and takeaway.
2

What each act does

30 sec
Setup = baseline. Tension = the problem/change. Resolution = what to do about it.
Act 1: Setup
"Before the pandemic, ridership was at record highs."
Act 2: Tension
"Ridership crashed 56% and frequency was cut."
Act 3: Resolution
"Should we restore frequency to recover the remaining 44%?"
3

Lead with the headline

30 sec
Your headline is the one sentence readers will remember. It goes at the top.
Example headline
"Ridership recovered, but frequency didn't — here's why that matters."
Write your headline first. Everything else supports it.
4

Spot the 20-60-20 violation

30 sec
Which arc proportion is wrong for a decision-oriented story?
Act 1: 50% · Act 2: 50% · Act 3: 0%
Act 1: 20% · Act 2: 60% · Act 3: 20%
Act 1: 33% · Act 2: 33% · Act 3: 33%
Continue to Module 6 →
2

Guided Practice

~3 min
1

Identify the acts

1 min
Practice labeling each part of a story.
📖
Story snippet
"Cycling trips rose 22% from 2018 to 2023. But cycling infrastructure grew only 8%. If we don't build more lanes, growth will stall."
Match each sentence to an act:
Each act should be clearly identifiable.
2

Write a tension statement

1 min
The tension statement is the heart of Act 2. It names the problem.
Tension template
"Although [positive progress], [the problem remains]."
Write a tension statement about ridership:
3

Write a headline

30 sec
Summarize the entire story in one sentence.
Write a headline for the ridership story:
3

Applied Task

~3 min
1

Write your 3 acts

2 min
Use your M1-M4 work to write each act of your story.
Your previous work
(Loading...)
Act 1 - Setup (what was the baseline?):
Act 2 - Tension (what's the problem?):
Act 3 - Resolution (what should be done?):
2

Write your headline

30 sec
Your headline is the takeaway. Make it memorable.
Your story headline:
3

Check the structure

30 sec
Structure check
4

Quick Refinement

~2 min
1

Review your arc

30 sec
Read your full narrative. Does it flow from setup to tension to resolution?
Your narrative
(Your narrative will appear here)
2

Strengthen the tension

30 sec
The tension drives the story. Make it specific and urgent.
Refined tension statement:
3

Commit your narrative

30 sec
Your narrative arc is the final piece before integration.
Final narrative (headline + 3 acts):