Homework #5 – The Dream ABT

Due:  September 16th @ 5:00 pm Eastern

For this homework, we want to focus on one thing:  the Dream.  Rewrite your Project ABT to give us the Dream.

Specifically, in the second half of your AND statement, give us an IF/THEN statement that helps to answer the questions “what’s at stake?” and “why should we care?” in a positive direction.  Send us your new ABT with the IF/THEN included in the second half of the AND.  Feel free to rewrite the rest of your ABT as well to help it flow logically.

The IF/THEN should be tied to the goal that you’re trying to achieve.  If your goal is to create a software application, a first draft of your IF/THEN might look like this:

IF we can develop this software application THEN we can manage disease tracking more effectively.

The format of your revised ABT to submit should look something like this:

Setup AND IF_____ THEN_____ BUT Problem THEREFORE Solution.

Here’s the excerpt from Randy’s latest book on this narrative point that we want you to hit:

THE DREAM:  WHAT’S AT STAKE (WHY SHOULD WE CARE?) – this is where the challenge begins.  The standard heartless, ruthless, cold question that gets asked of anyone presenting anything is, “Why should we care?”  A politician giving a speech to constituents about restoring the childhood home of a historical figure will face this question — “Why should we care if that rundown old house looks nice?”  The best answer is to reach into the future to convey what could take place.  The best tool for this is the IF/THEN clause.  For example, “IF we can restore this home and advertise it widely, THEN it can become a major draw for tourism, creating jobs for the community as well as helping to establish the identity of who we are.”  This is where “the dream” is established, before it is shattered by the next element.  Notice that the first element (Ordinary World) was more general, this element gets into specifics which, when well done, help you “paint a picture” in the listener’s head.  It is the specifics that make it powerful. 

And remember:  THE POWER OF STORYTELLING RESTS IN THE SPECIFICS.  Get as specific in the THEN as you can to tell us how good things can be.

Example of a non-specific IF/THEN first draft:  IF we can develop this software application THEN we can use it to manage disease tracking more effectively.  (Vague/non-specific.  Doesn’t help set the stakes for Outer Circle audiences.)

Example of specific IF/THEN revised draft:  IF we can develop this software application THEN we can vastly improve our department’s efficiency in tracking the spread of diseases, saving thousands of work hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, and potentially saving thousands of lives.  (Specific.  Helps to set the stakes for an Outer Circle audience)

Check list for your Dream ABT:

  • Use your Project ABT as your jumping off point.
  • Include an IF/THEN that sets the stakes in a positive direction.  What is there to be gained? What are you hoping to achieve?  What positive changes will happen downstream?
  • The basic format of your ABT should be:  Setup AND IF_____ THEN_____ BUT Problem THEREFORE Solution.
  • Get as specific in the THEN as possible.  
  • You may find that you have to rewrite the rest of the ABT to make the IF/THEN fit logically.

Instructions for submitting your homework:

  1. Put your draft in a Word document – have your name at the top.
  2. Name the Word document file:  Homework 5 – Dream ABT.
  3. Go to the Dropbox Upload here.
  4. Add your Word document to the upload page. 
  5. If it prompts you, add your full name and email address.
  6. Click the Upload button.