Randy Olson's And/But/Therefore model for story-telling in science (per E. Bird's interpretation for a proposal):

Prepare for writing your project summary with the following exercise:

In one or two sentences, state the situation you aim to address AND the background of the situation (including how others may have approached a similar situation, i.e. lit review).

BUT what is the outstanding/remaining problem that needs to be addressed? (rationale underlying your intervention)

THEREFORE what is your idea of how you're going to solve the problem?

Envision your proposal as a story (E. Bird's interpretation of Olson's description of the story-telling arc):

  • Overview/Introduction = Setting the scene and characters
  • Needs Statement; or Background/Preliminary Research = Defining the antagonists
  • Goals and Objectives = How the Hero (this is You and your inquiry!) is set to ride to the rescue
  • Methods/Activities = The Hero in action
  • Products = The Hero's evolution and celebration
  • Outcomes (Significance & Broader Impacts) = Story resolution, how it all comes out
  • Evaluation = Epilogue
  • Sustainability = Sneak peek at the sequel (what will happen next)

Quick Guide from American Public Health Association

Citation: Randy Olson, Houston we Have a Narrative: Why Science Needs Story, University of Chicago Press, 2015.

See also: Cheryl Clarke, Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising, John Wiley & Sons, 2009.