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As you begin planning your story, remember to focus on a single issue that is important to you because of the impact it has had on you, your family, or your community. Be prepared to include facts that support your argument for change. You’ll also want to be sure to personalize your story with details that create a picture of how your issue has affected you and those around you.

The six questions are designed to guide you through composing a persuasive and effective story. Be courteous and respectful in your tone, and stay focused on the point of your request for action. Personal detail will help humanize your story for the official you wish to influence. Fill in each step, and select ‘Continue” to move to the next question. Use “review” if you wish to return to the previous question.

After you’ve completed composing your story, you’ll have the opportunity to attach a photo. Selecting “Browse for photo file” will open the photo features on your device. You can take a new “selfie” photo, or browse your photo library for an existing photo. Depending on your device, the photo you take may not save to your library. Using an existing photo or taking a new photo ahead of time will ensure that your photo is saved to your photo library, and you may have the opportunity to select a file size for your attachment.

After you’ve completed composing your story and selecting your photo, you see all six completed questions assembled into a completed story. If you wish to edit your story, use the “Review” button to step back through the questions and make adjustments. When you’re ready, select “Continue” to proceed to the form, where you can send your completed story as an email.

Complete the form to send your completed story to the email address you choose. It’s recommended send the story to an email address you have access to for further editing and refinement. You may want to send it to a friend or family member who can help you review your story and make improvements. You may also send your story directly to the official you wish to influence, however giving yourself a chance to review and make improvements is the best option. Fields marked with * are required. Your mailing address is optional, but recommended: It demonstrates to the official that you are a constituent, and allows a response by mail.

You may still step back through your story at this point if you need to make any final changes. Select “Send my story” to send. You will be forwarded to a page that shows your message was successfully sent. Note that your story is completed cleared and a new story can be started – the ability to choose whether to save your story or create a new one will be a part of a future update to this app.

If you sent your story to yourself, or to a friend or family member, watch for the email with your story to arrive, with the subject line you entered. You can forward the email to the official you want to share it with. You can copy the message to Word or another word processing app, where you can edit, print or save as a PDF. One exciting option is to use your story as a script for in-person testimony. Using the video camera in your device, record yourself delivering your story to rehearse. You can print your story out to read, or you can search the app store for “Teleprompter”, which will give many options to display your story on the screen of your device as you video record yourself.

This app and its supporting programming and server do not retain any submitted information, and the information you enter is never shared except with the email recipient entered when submitting the form. The online form and the website that supports this app are protected with an SSL Certificate (HTTPS secure server). The user retains all copyright to the material entered.

This is the second edition of this app, provided courtesy of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and Partners in Policymaking. It’s based on the publication Making Your Case.