chart-description-writer

Chart Description Writer

What This Skill Does

Writes a precise, accessible text description of a data visualization — covering the chart type, what it shows, the key finding, and the data range — suitable for publication as a caption, alt-text, or standfirst alongside the chart.

When To Use This Skill

• You are publishing a chart and need a caption or alt-text that accurately describes it for readers who cannot see or fully interpret the visual
• You want a short, punchy caption that highlights the most important finding rather than just describing the axes
• You need to write an accessible description to meet publication or platform accessibility standards
• You are writing up a chart for a print layout where the graphic may not reproduce clearly at small sizes

What You Need To Provide

Required: A description of the chart — chart type (bar, line, scatter, etc.), what the x and y axes show, the time period if applicable, the data source, and the key finding or pattern you want the reader to take away. Optional: The exact headline figure or data point you want emphasised; the publication register (news article, magazine feature, annual report); whether an alt-text version (screen reader) is also needed.

How the Assistant Approaches This

1. Identifies the chart type and the primary story the data tells — not a neutral description of all data points, but the finding a journalist would lead with.
2. Writes a headline-first description: the key finding in plain language, followed by the supporting context (time period, comparison, magnitude).
3. If alt-text is requested, produces a separate, more complete description including chart type, axis labels, data range, and a full plain-language summary — formatted to accessibility standards.

Output Format

Primary output: a caption of two to four sentences (60–120 words) that leads with the finding and includes the data source. If alt-text is requested, a second block: a single descriptive paragraph of 60–100 words formatted as alt-text, beginning with the chart type. Tone: clear, direct, publication-quality. No jargon.