Figures: one message each

One job: make the reader believe the claim is warranted. Every paragraph offers a reason or rules out an alternative.

Task: Figures dense with information and unclear in message.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - the conclusion
   - data type
   - journal format
   - colour limits
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- the caption states the conclusion, not the variables
- drop series that do not change it
- error bars and sample size required
- check readability in black and white

[Process]
1. Conclusion first, then support
2. One point per paragraph, stated in its first sentence
3. Address alternative explanations and limits
4. Cut sentences that do not advance the argument
5. Check every number has a source

[Output]
Claim, reason, evidence, alternative, limitation.

[Do not]
- No 'obviously' or 'as we all know'
- Never state a fact without a citation
- Do not repeat results in the discussion
- Do not inflate practical implications