Skip to Content

Stories

Intermediate Training Module 1: Content Types

Stories are used to share news, achievements, research, profiles, and other narrative content in a visually engaging format. They combine the flexibility of a post with a distinctive banner design that includes the Carleton wave, helping important content stand out.

Stories are often used for:

Because they are designed for storytelling, Stories are ideal when you want to provide more detail and create a stronger visual impact than a standard news post.

When to Use a Story

Use a Story when you want to present content in a more engaging or feature-oriented format.

Examples include:

For shorter announcements and routine updates, a regular Post may be more appropriate.

Creating a Story

To create a Story:

  1. From the Dashboard, select Stories > Add New.
  2. Upload or select a banner image.
  3. Enter a title.
  4. Add content using blocks.
  5. Save or publish the Story.

Stories use the same editing experience as pages and posts while providing a unique visual presentation.

One of the defining features of a Story is its branded banner.

To add a banner image:

  1. Select the Story banner area.
  2. Choose Select Image.
  3. Upload a new image or choose one from the Media Library.

The image will be displayed using the Story template, including the Carleton wave overlay.

Choosing Effective Banner Images

Banner images should:

Avoid images with important details near the edges where they may be cropped.

Adding Story Content

Stories support all standard content blocks.

Commonly used blocks include:

This allows you to create long-form content with a mix of text and visual elements.

Categories

Stories can be organized using categories.

Categories make it easier to:

Examples might include:

Use categories consistently to keep your content organized.

Stories also support featured images.

Featured images are commonly displayed when Stories appear in:

To add a featured image:

  1. Locate the Featured Image panel.
  2. Select Set Featured Image.
  3. Upload or choose an image from the Media Library.

Recommended image size: 600 × 400 pixels

The featured image does not need to be the same image used in the Story banner.

Writing Effective Excerpts

An excerpt is a short summary of the Story.

Excerpts are often displayed in:

A strong excerpt should:

If no excerpt is provided, one may be generated automatically using the opening content of the Story.

Best Practices

Start with a Strong Banner Image
The banner is often the first thing visitors will notice.

Write Meaningful Titles
Titles should clearly communicate the focus of the story.

Use Supporting Visuals
Break up longer content with images, quotes, and other blocks.

Create Custom Excerpts
Custom excerpts are typically more engaging than automated excerpts.

Use Categories Consistently
Categories help surface related Stories and improve content organization.

Try It Out

Practice creating a Story.

Publish and review the Story on the front end.

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Find out more on how we use cookies and how you can change your settings.