How to Tell Your Story with a Purpose: Nine Components of Your Story

Do you want to change the way a system works? Do you have a story to prove why it needs to be changed? Then you are on your way to becoming an advocate! All you need to do is follow these 8 steps when writing or telling your story to a decision maker. Ready, set, go!

Who are you addressing?
- Address the Representative or Senator who represents you
- Use their title (Dear Representative Something)

Dear…______________________________________________

Who are you?
- Name
- Experience with Mental Illness
- Legislative District
- 1 sentence

My name is… _________________________________________

Do you have something in common with this legislator?
- Does the legislator have a family member with mental illness?
- Do they live in your neighborhood?
- Did they go to the same school?
- Or something else!
- 1 sentence, if applicable.

_______________________________________________________

What issue does your story demonstrate?
- Clearly describe the problem
- 1 sentence

________________________________________________________

Why is this issue important to you?
- Only use the parts of your story which help explain the issue you have identified.
- 3-4 sentences

________________________________________________________

What do you want the legislator to do about it?
- As clearly and specifically as possible, tell them what you’d like to see changed.
- Legislators want to hear your creative solutions because you may have a unique perspective or solution to a problem.
- 3 sentences

________________________________________________________

What are YOU going to do?
- Tell the legislator that you will help them solve the problem.
- You do NOT need all the answers, just willingness to help!
- 1 sentence

________________________________________________________

What are they doing right?
- Legislators are very rarely thanked for the work they do, end on a positive note and acknowledge their hard work.
- Committee role or other position in leadership
- Did you see them at a previous town hall?
- Did they vote for a bill you agreed with?
- 1 sentence

________________________________________________________

How do they contact you?
- End your letter and sign it
- Give them one or two ways to contact you.
- Phone, email address, physical address (place to receive mail)

Thank you for your consideration.

Name: ____________________________

Phone: ____________________________

Email: _____________________________

Address: ___________________________

___________________________________

Example:

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

Darya Farivar

206-324-1521

daryaf@dr-wa.org

315 5^th Ave S, Suite 850

Seattle, WA 98104

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