# The Stories We Tell About Data: Media Types for Data-Driven Storytelling

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.00047 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.00047/

## Key facts

- Cited by 7 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 31 Jan 2022.

## Built on by (most cited first, 7 of 7)

- [Where Are We So Far? Understanding Data Storytelling Tools from the Perspective of Human-AI Collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.15723/) (2023)
- [DATAWEAVER: Authoring Data-Driven Narratives through the Integrated Composition of Visualization and Text](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.22946/) (2025)
- [Gen4DS: Workshop on Data Storytelling in an Era of Generative AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.01622/) (2024)
- [MDSF: Context-Aware Multi-Dimensional Data Storytelling Framework based on Large language Model](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.01014/) (2025)
- [Reflection on Data Storytelling Tools in the Generative AI Era from the Human-AI Collaboration Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.02631/) (2025)
- [Representing data in words: A context engineering approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.15509/) (2025)
- [The Digital Mirror: Gender Bias and Occupational Stereotypes in AI-Generated Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.08628/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The emerging practice of data-driven storytelling is framing data using familiar narrative mechanisms such as slideshows, videos, and comics to make even highly complex phenomena understandable. However, current data stories are still not utilizing the full potential of the storytelling domain. One reason for this is that current data-driven storytelling practice does not leverage the full repertoire of media that can be used for storytelling, such as the spoken word, e-learning, and video games. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy focused specifically on media types for the purpose of widening the purview of data-driven storytelling simply by putting more tools into the hands of designers. Using our taxonomy as a generative tool, we also propose three novel storytelling mechanisms, including for live-streaming, gesture-driven oral presentations, and textual reports that dynamically incorporate visual representations.