Writing Good Success Stories

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How to Write EffectiveSuccess Stories

By Wendi Williams

Updated Feb 2008


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These slides are to be used as a guide towriting success stories. The format that involvesusing situation/background, program activities,results/impact, and evaluation/evidence, is a

standard success story format that can be usedfor multiple audiences and for numerous Extensiondocuments.

- Wendi Williams


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Definition of success

The Merriam-Webster OnlineDictionary defines success as an

outcome or result a degreeor measure of succeeding or afavorable ordesiredoutcome.


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What is a success story?

A success story is the successfulfavorable or desiredresult or outcome

of a program. In other words, you wantto paint a picture as to how Extensionmakes a difference in the lives of the

people it serves.


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So, consider these factors whenyou write a success story:

* Pretend the reader knows nothingwhatsoever about your program.Dont assume anything!

* Remember You are telling a shortstory about what you want to achievein a program.


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* Tells the reader why and how yourprogram was implemented.

* Tells the results or the impact of theprogram

* Tells the measurable results or how

program success was achieved* Defines the publ ic valueof a program


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Types of success stories* A single event such as a program,

meeting, or conferenceUrban-Rural Interface Conference

* The series of activities with varyingparticipantsFamily Conference

* A program with a predeterminedlength of timePoints of LightYouth Leadership Institute


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When to write success stories?* When you have something important toreport and you have impact data toback up your work

* When you are proud of a program

*Ongoing -- Dont wait until you are toldto write one by your supervisor or at theend of the year. (Purdue Extension, 2007)


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Structure of success stories* Situation/Background

* Program Activities

* Results/Impact

* Evaluation/Evidence


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Results/Impact

What was achieved as a resultof this program?

* What behavior changed?* What actions are being put into place

to ensure your desired results?


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Example #1Situation/Background

In Alabama, as in the nation, African-Americans (AAs) have the highestrates of new HIV infections AAscomprise 26% of the state population,

but account for 63% of new infections.


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Example #1

Results/ImpactsParticipants learned their HIV status in20-30 minutes, which eliminates a second

visit to a clinic for results (most do notreturn to know their status), and it reducesthe time HIV-positive individuals receive

treatment. Research proves that whenpersons know their HIV status, themajority stop engaging in risky behavior.


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Example #2

Situation/BackgroundMany of the children move beyond theboundaries of the family to travel the

neighborhood, forge their ownrelationships with close friends,neighbors, and have experiences that

are independent of their parents. Thereis a big need for families to bond andget to know each other better.


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Other Helpful Tips


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Writing Good Success Stories

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