Research projects do not always follow a linear narrative — but papers, grant proposals and conference talks need to do just that. Early-career scientists can use narrative techniques to create what I call a 'storymap': a visual model of their research that helps them to organize their thoughts and to tell a clear, compelling story about their work.

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Creating a storymap helps the researcher to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the project critically. I use this technique to visualize my ongoing projects and to improve my understanding of the content and direction of my research. There are several ways to make a storymap, whether on a blackboard, whiteboard or on the web using tools such as Prezi (www.prezi.com). The process is similar to that used by a detective, who pins notes and pictures to a wall as she or he maps out a case.

A researcher can instead use drawings, schematics and preliminary figure panels to map out a project. The process of sorting microscope images, graphs and diagrams into the storymap provides an instant overview of the project's status.

A web of ideas

Although an experimental strategy might work well for one aspect of a research project, other parts might need a different approach. The initial research question can also change over time. The storymap helps to clarify these diverging paths early on, and allows the researcher to consider alternative strategies. If a scientist maintains the storymap on a shareable online platform such as Google+, he or she can also communicate the results of ongoing investigations in collaborative projects, and everyone involved can interact with the storymap content in real time. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and principal investigators can discuss the overview online and keep up with the progression of the research visually.

Historically, researchers have planned their work using long lists in lab notebooks or on PowerPoint slides. Storymapping, however, provides a clear visual reference for exploring potential new directions. Based on that insight, researchers can decide what supporting experimentation they need to pursue.

The visual model also lets the researcher see missing pieces of the project that need attention. This is instrumental for thoroughly understanding the data, and for narrating the project in a clear and effective way.

Storymapping can also help to guide the manuscript writing process. A well-written paper engages readers with a logical flow of intriguing questions and well-supported answers throughout the text. The storymap highlights the questions and answers that anchor the project, and so serves as a guide for describing the results.

I let the visual overview help me to articulate the sentences that serve to transition between results — the glue of the story. This approach helps me to produce the framework of the manuscript; these paragraphs will guide the narration of the experimental work. I start with the sentences that will link each section of the story, creating a structured backbone that I can use to build the first draft. After this, I find it much easier to fill in the gaps, akin to colouring inside the lines in a drawing book.

This structure places the data into context and shapes the manuscript into a smooth progression of results that trigger insightful questions, which the paper offers specific experimental ways to address.

Over the past four years, I have employed these storymapping techniques both alone and with colleagues, and find that they have significantly contributed to my development as a scientist. Using storytelling as a tool while working on a project facilitates critical thinking, and so enhances the scientific work.