Welcome to the
Narrative Intensive for Data Storytelling Course
Hear from Brent Dykes how a stronger narrative structure can turn your data findings into stories that drive action.
Course Overview
Your analysis is solid and your numbers are right, but the findings still land as a complex data download instead of a clear story. The problem usually isn't the data. It's the structure around it.
This focused course takes the narrative section of my Effective Data Storytelling Masterclass and builds it out as a standalone program. You'll learn the Data Storytelling Arc and the narrative techniques that turn a set of findings into a story your audience can follow, remember, and act on. Whether you're an analyst, a manager, or a business leader, you'll leave with a repeatable structure you can apply to your very next data presentation.
What You Will Learn
1. How to structure a data story with the Data Storytelling Arc, from setting and hook through rising points and aha moment to solution and next steps.
2. How to storyboard your story before you build a single slide, so the narrative drives the deck rather than the other way around.
3. Why summarizing is not storytelling, and how to recognize and fix the most common narrative challenges that stall data presentations.
4. How to humanize your data so your numbers connect with your audience on an emotional level, not just a rational one.
5. How word choice, tension, anecdotes, and analogies make your insights more persuasive, engaging, and memorable.
6. How to use AI to strengthen your narrative arc, both to build stronger stories and to inspect the ones you're already prepared.
Meet your instructor
Brent Dykes
Author of Effective Data Storytelling: How to Drive Change with Data, Narrative, and Visuals, Brent's passion for effective data communication comes from his unique background in both marketing and analytics consulting. For the past 10 years, Brent has delivered data storytelling training workshops to leading organizations around the world, including IKEA, Microsoft, Amazon, Pfizer, Fidelity, and many others.
The narrative frameworks in this course have been refined over hundreds of workshops with thousands of participants, and they form the backbone of Brent's flagship Masterclass.
“The one consistent need I see from people looking to improve their data storytelling skills is a deeper understanding of how to weave their findings into a compelling narrative. This is the narrative-focused course that fills that gap."
Brent Dykes
Course Preview and Timing
Once you sign up, you'll have immediate access to all 15 lessons below.
- 01: Data Storytelling Fundamentals (9:12)
- 02: Define What Narrative Is and Isn't (9:39)
- 03: Adapt Your Narrative to the Audience (13:52)
- 04: Narrative Models and the Data Storytelling Arc (17:05)
- 05: Storyboarding - Part 1 (14:11)
- 06: Storyboarding - Part 2 (13:31)
- 07: Storytelling vs. Summarizing (11:31)
- 08: Common Storytelling Challenges (6:26)
- 09: Humanize Your Data (10:24)
- 10: The Effects of Word Choice (10:47)
- 11: Build Tension and Suspense (9:40)
- 12: The Power of Anecdotes and Analogies (19:04)
- 13: Navigating Audience Resistance (13:59)
- 14: Strengthen Your Narrative Arc with AI (18:32)
- 15: Apply Your Narrative Techniques (3:48)
- Course Quiz
Your Learning Toolkit
What's included when you enroll
3+ hours of instructional videos with multiple hands-on activities to put your knowledge into practice.
Course features
- 15 instructional video lessons
- 6 hands-on activities with videos
- 6 downloadable reference sheets and templates
- Data Storytelling Arc Primer for use with your AI tool of choice
- Interactive quiz to reinforce your learning
Key Benefits
- Full access for as long as the course is available
- Includes future expansions and updates
Certificate of completion -
Join the AnalyticsHero Data Storytelling Community
What Students Are Saying
"The narrative and storyboarding sections were exceptionally valuable. They gave me practical tools to structure insights in a way that truly resonates with different audiences."
- Sarah S., BI Analyst
"The concepts were explained clearly and backed by practical, real-world examples that made them easy to apply. I came away with actionable techniques I can use immediately."
- Jan O., Data Architect
Group Pricing
Want your team to take the course? We're happy to arrange group discounts.
Licensing
We can work with you to customize and license the lesson content for internal training programs.
Testimonials
“Brent Dykes is the king of data storytelling; he’s probably thought about this more than anyone else on the planet.”
Thomas H. Davenport
Distinguished Professor, Babson College; Research Fellow, MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this course relate to the Effective Data Storytelling Masterclass?
This intensive is the narrative section of the Masterclass, built out as a focused standalone course. It exists for people who want to strengthen one skill without taking on the full program. If you already have access to the Masterclass, you already have everything in this course, so there is nothing new to buy.
Can I upgrade to the Masterclass later?
Yes. Whatever you paid for this intensive is credited toward the Masterclass if you decide you want the full process. The credit is applied to the Masterclass price at the time you upgrade, so starting narrow never costs you anything.
How long will this course take to complete?
Most people will be able to complete all the content in a few weeks, depending on how much time you invest each week.
How long will I have access to this course?
There is no expiration date on your enrollment. You keep access for as long as the course is offered, and every update I make along the way is included at no extra cost. If I ever retire the course, enrolled students will receive advance notice to download the course materials.
Do I need to take the Masterclass first?
No. This course stands on its own. The fundamentals lesson at the start gives you the core data storytelling concepts you need before diving into the narrative techniques.
Are there tests or quizzes I need to submit?
The quiz is designed to help strengthen your learning. It is not graded or necessary to complete the course or get the certificate.
Can my employer pay for this course?
In most cases, we can make it work. Please contact us directly to discuss your options.
Do you offer a special discount to nonprofit organizations?
Yes! We offer a special discount rate for verified nonprofit organizations. Please contact us directly to learn more.