Agenda • 1 hour • Why narrative? • The Epic Story •  The Heroes’ Narrative in action

Objectives & Expectations •  Understand the key elements of an epic story and how to use them •  Understand why narratives and values matter and win campaigns

The Other Side’s Narrative

Power Cycles

Why Narrative? • Captures voters’ attention •  Motivates people to action •  Helps different campaigns tell a common story •  Builds power over time

Difference between narrative and message

Narratives Build Power Middle Our Base Other Side

Values • Values are the foundation of the narrative •  They inspire us to action •  They speak to the decision-making part of our brains •  They persuade

Story Elements • Quest • Threat • Hero • Heroes’ Tool • Villain •  Villain’s Weapon

The Quest •  The high stakes outcome •  The frame: Defines what matters

The Threat •  Call to action •  Big and close to home

The Hero •  Heart of the story •  Actual person

Hero’s Tools • The policy that gets us to the outcome of our quest •  How our hero achieves our quest •  Tell us why the policy matters, not what it does

Role of Government • Government is a tool • Government is not a person •  We need to reframe and reclaim government

The Villain • Who we hold accountable for the threat •  Always paired with a weapon

Villain’s Weapon • How the villain takes action on the threat •  Builds their power cycle

The Michigan Narrative

Questions?

Marissa Luna marissa@engagemichigan.org