Abstract

Journal of Actuarial Practice

Volume 10, Numbers 1 and 2, 2002

Communicating Effectively with Words, Numbers, and Pictures: Drawing on Experience

Karolina Duklan and Michael A. Martin

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss techniques for developing effective communication skills, focusing in particular on technical writing, the use of graphics, and presentation. The key principles of effective communication that we propose to actuaries are as follows:

Identify your audience and consider their needs and abilities;
Focus on substantive content;
Choose appropriate communication tools;
Use language that is simple, concrete, and familiar;
Integrate text, numbers, and graphics;
Respond to information complexity creatively.

We focus in particular on the use of graphics as a communications tool as they are an efficient and potentially highly effective means of conveying information. We also describe several common errors in graphic construction---and how to correct them---using examples from the business world.

Key words and phrases: Communications skills, errors in graphic construction, presentation skills, statistical graphics, technical writing.

Corresponding Author:

Michael A. Martin

School of Finance & Applied Statistics

Australian National University

Canberra, ACT 0200

AUSTRALIA