An annotation is explanatory text or a graphic that points to a specific feature in a visualization. It helps repeat the chart’s main insight in words after the data has made it visible, giving the audience a helpful nudge rather than making them hunt for the punchline. section 6.1.5 section 6.1.3
Use annotations to strengthen a chart’s story:
- Pair the visual pattern with a concise statement of the main conclusion. section 6.1.5
- Place the callout near the feature that supports the claim, so the connection is easy to follow. section 6.1.3
- Balance presentation and storytelling: revealing the point early can still work when the chart supports it visually. section 6.1.5
Rhino-poaching visualization
A large callout states that rhino poaching increased almost 100-fold from 2007 to 2014, while the trendline shows the rise and its 2014 peak. The annotation makes the visual climax unmistakable; the later decline shows improvement without pretending the problem disappeared. section 6.1.3 section 6.1.5
