These slides are to be used as a guide to writing success stories. The format that involves using “situation/background, programme/project activities, results/impact, and conclusion/restatement,” is a standard “success story” format that can be used for multiple audiences and for numerous
development programmes
2. These slides are to be used as a guide to
writing success stories. The format that involves
using “situation/background, programme/project activities,
results/impact, and conclusion/restatement,” is a
standard “success story” format that can be used
for multiple audiences and for numerous
development programmes
3. Definition of Success
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines
success as an “outcome” or “result” – “a degree or
measure of succeeding” or a “favorable or desired
outcome.”
4. What is a Success Story?
A success story is the successful – favorable or
desired result or outcome of a programme (and/or
sub-projects). In other words, you want to paint a
picture as to how the sub-projects/activities made
a difference in the lives of the people it serves.
5. So considerthese factors when you write
success story
Pretend the reader knows nothing whatsoever about your programme.
Don’t assume anything!
Remember… You are telling a short story about what you want to
achieve in a programme (always go back to the purpose of the
programme).
Tells the reader why and how your programme was implemented.
Tells the results or the impact of the programme.
Tells the measurable results or how programme success was achieved.
Defines the public value of a programme.
6. Why write Success Stories?
To show how the public fund/grant is used
To document that Urban Development used funds for
intended purposes, which is… to make positive and
lasting impacts in the lives of Afghan citizens.
To share programme ideas and to learn what works
and what doesn’t work.
show development and extension.
7. When to write Success Stories?
When you have something important to report and you have
impact data to back up your work.
When you are proud of a programme.
Ongoing -- Don’t wait until you are told to write one by your
supervisor or at the end of the year.
9. Situation/Background
Why does the programme exist in the first place? (in
short story, we may skip this part)
What are you trying to achieve (the purpose of the
programme/sub-projects)?
Why is this programme important to the people of
Afghanistan?
10. Programme Activities
How was the programme implemented?
What steps did you take to carry out the programme – fulfill the
programme objectives?
Who is your target audience?
What were they asked or required to do?
11. Results/ Impacts
What was achieved as a result of this programme (and/or
sub-projects/activities)?
What behavior changed?
How the life of people changed?
What actions are being put into place to ensure
your desired results?
12. Conclusion/Restatement
How do you restate your thesis statements?
Start with an expression of (in summary, finally, in
conclusion, with conclusion etc).
Try to restate thesis statements; means you need to repeat
thesis statements with different ideas and words.
Try to end with importance (quotes), recommendations,
prediction or future plan.
13. 10 Tips for writing an effectivesuccessstory
1. Writing for your reader, not yourself
o Your reader is interested in his or her cause, not your program or project!
2. Develop an angle
o When identifying an angle, ask yourself what it is that you want your reader to think, do, or
feel after reading your story.
o As you write, frequently re-read what you have written and ask yourself “what is this story
about?”
3. Create an emotional hook
o Ask a question which paint a picture of the people behind the facts e.g. who was at risk? Who
was suffering? Etc
4. Avoid wordiness and run-an sentence and jargon
o Eliminate unnecessary words and sentences. Be concise and to the point.
5. Focus on facts not fluff
o Broad sweeping statements and grandiose words can destroy the credibility of your story.
Know the facts about your program and clearly state what you know.
14. Cont…
6. Follow the format
o Make the story easy on the eyes.
o Use white space to reduce the density of the text.
o Use bullets to highlight important points. In some instances only the bullets will be
read.
o Keep your story to one page.
7. Follow the 80/20 rule to effective writing
o 80% is research and planning, 20% is writing.
8. Give it a rest
o One of the best ways to write well is to put what you have written aside for a day and
then re-read your story with a fresh mind.
9. Remember, success stories are the tip of the
program’s iceberg!
o Does your program capture outcomes?
15. Helpful Tips
Keep paragraphs short – no more than 5-6 sentences.
Keep story to no more than two pages.
Avoid using passive voice (e.g., “Trainings were provided.”).
Use active voice (e.g., “X partner provided Y trainings.”), and
be clear about who is doing the action in every sentence.
Limit use of acronyms. If you use acronyms, spell them out on
first mention
Use plain language
Avoid jargon. readers often skip over terms they don’t
understand, hoping to get their meaning from the rest of the
sentence
Keep messages simple and concise.
Use pictures
