Toolkits for Storytellers
Tip Sheets
Our tip sheets and checklists provide the latest research-based insights on DEIA, Gender Roles for Boys and Men, Mental Health, and Social and Emotional Learning, in a visual and easy to use format. Each tip sheet is created for content creators with input from storytellers, scientists and community advocates. We’ve grouped CSS-created tip sheets along with resources from other great organizations to make it easy to find the tools you need. Thousands of people have downloaded these tools and we hope you will find them useful to your creative process!
All tip sheets are available for free download below.
Want to suggest a future tip sheet topic? Email us at info@scholarsandstorytellers.com.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) refers to a movement to promote more just outcomes for traditionally underrepresented and marginalized groups.
AIR Tip Sheet for Race
Developed in connection with the Authentically Inclusive Representation (AIR) Research Report, this tip sheet provides tips to consider when writing about characters of color.
AIR Tip Sheet for Race Checklist
Designed to be used in tandem with the AIR Tip sheet for race, the checklist provides questions storytellers can ask themselves to help them explore authentic and inclusive representation for characters of color.
Asian American Youth Mental Health & Media Representation Tip Sheet
These research-based tips and insights for content creators focus on storytelling for Asian American youth mental health and wellbeing. Read more.
Colorism & Character Body Creation Tip Sheet
A resource to help storytellers consider their own blind spots with respect to skin color (including hair types and other physical characteristics) and different body types.
Gender Identity, Stereotypes & Expression Tip Sheet
A resource that examines ways storytellers can consider all gender identities and expressions.
Implicit Bias & Intersectionality Tip Sheet
This tip sheet helps storytellers consider their blind spots to depict the many elements that make up a character’s identity.
Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE) #WriteInclusion Factsheets
TTIE offers a number of helpful factsheets that cover a wide range of topics including race, gender, sexuality, and disability.
Telling Authentic Immigrant Stories: A Reference Guide for The Entertainment Industry
This helpful guide from Define American can help content creators tell more authentic stories about the immigrant experience.
Storyline Partners Readers
These readers curated by Storyline Partners offer storytellers tools to tell more nuanced stories on a number of specific topics such as Asian American & Pacific Islander People, Immigration, and Racial Justice.
FosterMore Foster Care Factsheet
This factsheet from FosterMore includes overrepresented stories and harmful stereotypes to avoid when portraying foster care in entertainment media, helpful facts about the foster care system, and a glossary of relevant terms.
Boys and Men
The way we characterize and socialize boys and men in society can be redefined to promote more healthy Outcomes for these individuals and the People around them.
Boys’ Tip Sheet
The original CSS Tip Sheet, the Boys’ Tip Sheet encourages storytellers to rethink how they characterize boys and men. Read more.
Boys’ Tip Sheet Checklist & Poster
These companions to the Boys’ Tip Sheet are perfect for writers rooms seeking to flip the script on how boys and men appear in stories.
Asian American Youth Mental Health & Media Representation Tip Sheet
These research-based tips and insights for content creators focus on storytelling for Asian American youth mental health and wellbeing. Read more.
Breaking Free From Boyhood Stereotypes: Action Steps for Content Creators
This resource from Equimundo and The Geena Davis Institute, which also draws from the CSS tip sheet, includes insights into positively portraying boys.
Mental Health
Storytelling and media can be an incredibly effective tools for promoting positive mental health and well-being in adolescents.
Adolescent Mental Health and Gun Violence Tip Sheet
This Teen Mental Health and Gun Violence Tip Sheet provides research based insights to support adolescent mental health with respect to gun violence. Learn more.
Tech Tip Sheet
The Tech Tip Sheet contains four evidence-based calls to action for the tech industry to support the digital literacy and well-being of youth from all backgrounds. Learn more.
Parent Tip Sheet
The Parent Tip Sheet provides helpful ways for parents to support the well-being of youth around digital technology and media. Learn more.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to methods used to help people better get in touch with their own emotions and develop empathy for others.
Short Form Video (SFV) Tips for Kids & Family Creators
This tip sheet offers research-informed insights for SFV. When making high quality short form content for children and families, creators should consider both how the content is delivered and what is being communicated to young viewers. Read more.
Character Strengths: Curiosity, Gratitude, and Humility
This series of tip sheets are part of the Toolkit for Storytellers: Character Strengths in Adolescent Programming, generously funded by The John Templeton Foundation. These tip sheets can help storytellers understand why and how to incorporate more character strengths into their programming.
COVID Tip Sheet and SEL
For storytellers considering how to incorporate our new reality, living in a COVID world, with sensitivity for preschoolers, school-aged children and teens. Read more.