Communication - Messaging - The Commons Social Change Library

6 covers of reports in a collage. One report title reads Storytelling and social change. Another report title reads How do we frame our way out of this mess?

How to Change the Narrative

Guides, manuals and tools to help you get the narrative and framing right no matter what social justice issue you are working on.

screenshot of webinar front page that reads Race Class Narrative, Oct 2021. A black and white photo features a man with a child on his shoulders holding her arms out.

The Race Class Narrative: A race forward messaging framework to engage the base and persuade the middle

Watch a video on Race Class Narrative – an approach that weaves together economic empowerment, racial justice, and gender equity.

A mural outside the Bernard Shaw Pub in Portobello, Dublin depicting Savita Halappanavar and calling for a Yes vote in Ireland’s referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment. The mural shows Savita's face surrounded by lots of stickers saying Vote Yes

How Powerful Conversations Won Abortion Rights in Ireland

Overturning the abortion ban in Ireland meant equipping people to share their stories and spark conversations with their friends and family.

A square graphic titled '5 Lessons from Abortion Law Reform'. The lessons are listed: 1 Combine powers and know where you add value; 2 Know what the fight is actually about; 3 Do a messaging strategy early and make sure ppl will use it; 4 Share your homework; 5 Evaluate your campaign. In the bottom right hand corner there is a photo of Renee Carr smiling.

Five Lessons from Fair Agenda’s Campaigns for Access to Abortion Care in Australia

Lessons learned from Fair Agenda’s campaigns on winning safe and legal access to abortion care in Australia.

$christmas card featuring a group of anti-fracking protestors some with Santa hats on heads holding signs that say Don't Frack NL$

Toward an Anti-Fracking Mobilization Toolkit: Ten practices from Western Newfoundland’s Campaign

Case study of anti fracking campaign in Canada. Interviews with mobilization leaders presents ten practices deemed as particularly effective.

Photograph of a report with the title 'Passing the Message Stick'

Passing the Message Stick: A Guide for Changing the Story on Self-Determination and Justice

The words we use matter! The Passing the Message Stick report gathers research and recommendations about the messages that work to promote First Nations justice. Read an excerpt, watch the briefing session, and download the full report.

Workers with hard hats and fluro safety vests on top of building installing solar panels. Two workers are kneeling down on solar panels and two workers are looking at a plan.

Just get on with it: Talking about climate change and economics

This guide is designed to provide practical advice about how to effectively talk about climate change during a global pandemic and recession. It’s based on the findings of an extensive research project.

Framing the Role of Government and the Economy

Want to know how to frame communication about the government and the economy in a way that will be of benefit? Here is useful research that was presented at the conference Virtual Progress 2020 by Australian ReMADE.

Photograph of a hand holding a wooden picture frame, with a cliff, beach and sea showing in the backgroun. 'COVID-19' is written inside the frame.

Progressive Framing of the Coronavirus Pandemic

A collection of resources which include suggested progressive framing and messaging of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 global pandemic and its various impacts.

Framing Issues for Social Justice Impact: Directory of Messaging Guides

Looking for research on how to frame an issue on a certain topic area? This collection of reports, articles, videos and podcasts on issues including climate, crime, equality, nature, poverty and health will help you develop powerful messages and narratives.

Brave New Words Access to medicines – United States

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast looks at how the battle over drug prices is heating up to confront corporate greed and pay-to-play politics.

Brave New Words Police reform – Washington

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast explores how De-Escalate Washington achieved success by speaking openly about race and centering those most affected by police violence.

Brave New Words: Let’s do this – New Zealand

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast goes behind the scenes to understand how Jacinda Ardern led Labour to victory in NZ.

Brave New Words Together for Yes – Ireland

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast explores how the Together For Yes coalition rewrote the playbook on abortion in Ireland.

Brave New Words Greater Than Fear – Minnesota

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast reveals how a coalition of grassroots and labor groups found a narrative that speaks to both race and class concerns.

Brave New Words People Seeking Asylum – Australia

Brave New Words takes listeners on a journey around the globe with renowned communications researcher and campaign advisor Anat Shenker-Osorio. This episode of the podcast unpacks how human rights advocates applied communications research to swing public opinion and win campaigns in the ongoing battle against offshore detention of refugees.

head shot of the presenter Anat Shenker Osorio

Messaging in the age of alternative facts – Anat Shenker-Osorio (Communications Expert) – Progress 2017

Anat Shenker-Osorio on the importance of telling our own story in campaign messaging, rather than negating the stories of our opposition.

Worksheet with three icons - eye, heart and a swimming ring.

Rapid Response Worksheet: A framework for advancing narrative strategy in the face of a crisis or breaking news development

The rapid response worksheet from Narrative Initiative enables you to use a strategic communications framework in the face of crisis or breaking news.

Who What How: Narrative Strategy for Issue Campaigns

Use this worksheet from the Narrative Initiative to help ensure that issue campaigns have a strategic, nimble, long-term vision and plan.

Anat Shenker-Osorio speaking on stage at the Progress 2019 conference in Melbourne.

Top 3 Messaging Tips from Anat Shenker-Osorio at Progress 2019

The top 3 messaging tips from Anat’s keynote speech at Progress 2019 – 1. Politics is not solidarity, 2. Empathy, not sympathy, 3. What you fight, you feed.

Tag