Anchor
For numbers in stories about data, you need an anchor. Something to compare to; a standard.In budget stories, we compare to last year, for example.When using data in stories, it's best to decide that standard from the beginning. Work with sources veryearly to get that standard.It's hard to know if what you have is big/small, meaningful/meaningful until you know that standard.For example, what is a really, really good income? $250,000?Well, imagine trying to live on that in New York City. Won't go so far there.
Language
Sources can spin us. Numbers can be used to mean anything.The way numbers are characterized in a story is important. For example, "only" used before a number.Sometimes you should use it. Other times, it is just an opinion.There are lots of ways to look at numbers, going back to looking for the anchor. We talk to people, andsometimes they have different ways of analyzing numbers. Example, graduation rates.
Sense of scale
You can catch numbers mistakes much easier if you understand scale.This means asking yourself, "Is this a reasonable number?"For example, the crime stats come out. Those numbers mean nothing unless you compare them. If youfind crime is four times as bad in similar places, or compared to last year, you'd say, "Wow." And thenyou'd want to really check more. Make sure there are no mistakes if it jumped that rate from last year.
When we usually use numbers
In an enterprise story, often it's completely written and we (or an editor) will say "Oops, it needs anumber." So we dig one up and dump it in the fourth graph.Be careful.Sometimes numbers can be made up. Ask sources where they got their information. Don't just repeatverbatim. Look at the fine print on reports.
Our
No. 1 fear
Boring readers.So, what we do is write a lead (no numbers) nut graph (no numbers) a couple anecdotes, and then awhole big list of numbers. We just empty the notebook.We choose our anecdotes and words very carefully. We should do the same with numbers."You can throw out numbers that aren't about the story."To do this, write three declarative sentences with a number in it. Then choose one and report around it.You will call 30 people for the right photo or the right quote. You need to do the same with numbers.
Tips:
Don't put too fine a point on a number As yourself "What's news?" and "What compared to what?"Try several ways to calculate the number. Make sure it presents the same image.Write the sentence you want, then calculate the number Challenge numbers in reports, especially those from interest groupsCouch numbers (example, self-reported numbers)Budgets: try, per resident debtIf a number is old, do we have reason to believe it has changed? If yes, copy the methodology andmake your own new numbers.
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