12.7 Editing for signal

Effective data storytellers are rigorous editors. For each paragraph, table, and visual, ask:

• What question does this answer?
• What conclusion should the audience draw?
• Is the evidence necessary?
• Does it repeat another element?
• Does it introduce a definition that conflicts elsewhere?
• Would removing it weaken the argument?

Editing is not merely shortening. Sometimes a story needs an additional definition, denominator, limitation, or comparison to become clear.