Storytelling
Effective presentations utilize techniques that are able to hold the audience’s attention, spark action, and turn policy issues into real life stories. Storytelling can be an important part of advocating for asset policies in your state. By highlighting personal stories of people in your community affected by asset policies and programs, you can put a human face on your issues. For policymakers and the general public, abstract policy arguments and data are not always the most persuasive materials. By constructing your narrative into a storytelling format, you will be more likely to stir people's hearts and bring change.
(A note of caution: Avoid telling a story that does not convey the policy conditions that created the circumstances of an individual’s story. You do not want to unintentionally encourage the audience to blame an individual for his or her problem without recognizing the underlying policy conditions and shortcomings. Similarly, you do not want others to mistakenly conclude that serious societal problems are easily surmountable if people “just work hard enough” to overcome them like the “heroic” individual in your story.)
(A note of caution: Avoid telling a story that does not convey the policy conditions that created the circumstances of an individual’s story. You do not want to unintentionally encourage the audience to blame an individual for his or her problem without recognizing the underlying policy conditions and shortcomings. Similarly, you do not want others to mistakenly conclude that serious societal problems are easily surmountable if people “just work hard enough” to overcome them like the “heroic” individual in your story.)
Related Topics:
Stories on What Parents Think of CSAs
Description: The Illinois Asset Building Group uses personal stories from parents to promote children's savings accounts.
