Idea 12of 22Builds onDecide the one message firstCount out of the whole group
One big number
Which number should a reader see first?
Today you'll discover
- what a headline number is
- how to pick it
- why it needs a display under it
Think firstRoom 12's poster needs a big number
Which number would make the best headline for Room 12's walking story?
Decide first, then press Next. Ask which number says the message by itself.
Room 12's poster with its title, message, bar graph and table, and no big number yet. Then a boxed headline, 8 of 20 walk, near the top. Then the values on the bars: walk 8, bus 6, car 4, bike 2. The last step shows the yard-vote poster, where the headline becomes 18 votes to 16.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
A headline number is one true number, with its total, that carries the message.
Headline numbers“8 of 20 walk.” “18 votes to 16.” “2 in 5 walk” says the same as 8 of 20, in smaller numbers.
Easy to get wrongA number without its total can mislead. “9 walk” sounds bigger than “8 walk”, but 9 of 25 is a smaller share than 8 of 20.
Key word
- headline number
- one big number near the top of an infographic that sums up its message
Ready to use it?
- Pick the headline number that fits a message.
- Write a count with its total.