August 25, 2009

Communicating About Children

This paper provides strategies for communicating the importance of action on children's issues. Key points to emphasize are explained and include: make the issue an American issue that affects all; emphasize there is no excuse for inaction; tell your audience the truth, and tell them the consequences; emphasize that principles matter; make the case that we can either invest now or pay later; communicate in a way that is bold and strong; focus on progress; focus on the future by referencing the past; demand accountability; and emphasize failure is not an option. For each communication point, examples of words that can be used to advocate effectively are provided.