Avoid this
- Choosing an issue that is too broad
- Using emotional language without evidence
- Trying to persuade everyone at once
High school project idea · Media & Communication
Build a Story That Changes Minds
Create a multimedia campaign that helps people care about an issue that deserves more attention.
Powerful stories can inform, inspire, and move people toward thoughtful action.
Original Compass project by Davisville LabsReviewed August 2026Goal real work, evidence, and reflectionEditorial standards →
Why this project matters
Learn by doing something real.
Stories can change how people see an issue, but persuasion works best when it is grounded in truth, empathy, and strong communication. This project helps students move beyond simply stating an opinion by researching an issue, understanding an audience, building a clear message, creating multiple media pieces, testing the campaign with real people, and reflecting on how storytelling can inform or influence responsibly.
What you will create
Your project plan
Use these deliverables as milestones for Build a Story That Changes Minds. Adapt the details to your interests, available time, and real-world opportunities.
- 01
Issue & Audience Brief
Choose a specific issue that deserves more attention, define the audience, and explain what people need to understand, feel, or consider.
- 02
Research & Message Framework
Gather credible sources, identify key facts, clarify the main message, and explain how the campaign will inform, inspire, or persuade responsibly.
- 03
Campaign Asset Set
Create multiple media pieces such as a short video, article, poster, infographic, social posts, audio story, photo essay, or presentation.
- 04
Audience Feedback & Revision Notes
Share the campaign with real viewers, readers, or listeners, gather feedback, and document what changed to make the message clearer or stronger.
- 05
Campaign Case Study
Publish a portfolio-ready case study explaining the issue, audience, research, message strategy, campaign assets, feedback, ethical choices, and lessons learned.
Make the work stronger
What separates a finished project from a meaningful one?
For Build a Story That Changes Minds, use these checkpoints to protect the quality of the work without turning the project into a performance for admissions.
Evidence that it is working
- A specific issue was selected
- Audience and message strategy were defined
- Credible research was gathered
If you want to go further
- Present the campaign to a class, club, or community group
- Create a short campaign video
Skills you can build
Capabilities that travel beyond this project.
StorytellingStrategic CommunicationMedia LiteracyCreative DirectionEthical Persuasion
College application value
Use the project as evidence, not decoration.
Demonstrates leadership, initiative, creativity, communication, research ability, service, critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to use storytelling to engage others around a meaningful issue.
LeadershipInitiativeCreativityCommunicationService
The goal of Build a Story That Changes Minds is not to manufacture an impressive activity. Do real work, keep evidence of the process, and reflect honestly on what changed.
Related college majors
Which fields connect to this work?
Use Build a Story That Changes Minds as a clue, then open a related major guide to compare coursework, career directions, reality checks, and other ways to test the field.
How this guide was made
Read editorial standards →Build a Story That Changes Minds is an original Compass educational starting point designed around real work, visible evidence, feedback, and reflection. It is not an admissions guarantee.
Ready to build it?
Try this project in Compass