Data storytelling can feel like a misnomer. How can it be storytelling if the story evolves over time or mutates with the interactions of the user?
Perhaps we need a new term like story-finding, story-framing, or choose-your-own-adventure.
The things we call data stories fall on a spectrum of flexibility, from explanatory to exploratory:
A static narrative with a message intended to be consistent across the audience.
Dynamic narratives that enable different perspectives and customizations depending on the interests of the audience; or as the underlying data changes.
Fluid data explorations that provide a sandbox with little guidance.
To see this contrast, consider these two examples about the same data source:
A static infographic that communicates highlights from a population health survey
This guided exploration of the same data that lets the user find the data and stories that piques their interest.
(1) Data Storytelling Infographic
(2) Data Story-finding Interactive Website
Both are valid approaches — and even complementary.