Web Stories: Interactive Narratives for the Digital Generation
What are web stories?
Web stories are digital content presented in a visually engaging and interactive format.
- Web stories designers create digital content for quick consumption, offering users a bite-sized narrative experience.
- Web stories often feature a combination of images, videos, animations, and text to convey the story's message effectively.
- These stories are specifically optimised for mobile devices, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience on smartphones and tablets.
- Unlike traditional articles or blog posts, web stories focus on visual storytelling, making them more captivating and shareable.
- Web stories are typically displayed in a full-screen, vertical format, making them suitable for social media platforms and apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
- Users swipe through web stories, directly engaging with the content, encouraging more interactivity and engagement.
- Content creators and businesses utilise web stories to deliver information, news, product promotions, tutorials, or educational content compellingly.
- The format of web stories is also known as "AMP Stories," as it is based on Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) technology, ensuring fast-loading and responsive experiences.
- Web stories have become popular due to their immersive nature, ease of consumption, and ability to attract and retain the attention of online audiences.
 |
| Yes: You can win |
To create web stories, follow these steps:
- Choose a Platform: Select a platform that supports web story creation. Popular options include Google Web Stories, WordPress with the Web Stories plugin, or other specialised web story creation tools.
- Plan Your Story: Outline the narrative, message, or information you want to convey in your web story. Keep it concise and engaging, as web stories are quick and visually appealing.
- Gather Visual Content: Collect high-quality images, videos, and animations that complement your story. Ensure all visuals are relevant, captivating, and sized appropriately for mobile devices.
- Write Short Texts: Craft short and impactful text that supports your visuals. Use concise language and bold headlines to catch the viewer's attention.
- Design the Layout: Organise your content into a visually pleasing layout. Make use of the full-screen vertical format and ensure smooth transitions between pages.
- Add Interactivity: Incorporate interactive elements like quizzes, polls, or clickable links to engage users further.
- Optimise for Mobile: Test your web story on various mobile devices to ensure it looks and functions well on all screen sizes.
- Ensure Fast Loading: Optimise your web story for quick loading times, as users may lose interest if content takes too long to appear.
- Preview and Revise: Preview your web story before publishing and make any necessary revisions to improve the overall experience.
- Publish and Share: Once satisfied with your web stories, publish them on your chosen platform. You can share it on social media, your website, or other appropriate channels to reach your target audience.
- Analyse Performance: Monitor the performance of your web stories using analytics tools to understand how users interact with them. Use the insights to refine your future web stories.
Remember that web stories are all about visual storytelling and quick engagement, so focus on creating visually appealing content that captures the attention of your target audience effectively.
What are the best examples of "web stories"?
Some of the best examples of web stories are:
- Google Web Stories Showcase: Google dedicates an entire website to showcasing web stories created by various publishers and creators. You can find several web stories covering topics such as travel, food, lifestyle, and news.
- New York Times, "How the Virus Got Out": This web story by The New York Times is an interactive visual narrative that explores the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It uses a combination of maps, graphics, and images to present the complex story compellingly.
- CNN: "Apollo 11 Moon Landing": CNN's web story on the Apollo 11 moon landing anniversary offers a captivating multimedia experience with historical footage, images, and informative text.
- National Geographic: "Rome's Unearthed": This web story from National Geographic takes readers on a virtual journey through the ancient city of Rome, showcasing archaeological discoveries in an engaging format.
- BBC News: "Plastics": BBC News created a web story about the impact of plastics on our environment, combining stunning visuals with concise text to raise awareness about the issue.
- NASA's Perseverance Rover Landing: NASA used web stories to document and share the historic landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars, providing an interactive experience for space enthusiasts.
- Chicago Tribune, "My 2 Chicagos": Chicagoans feature their personal stories in this web story, presented with a mix of captivating images and text.
- Al Jazeera's "Inside Aleppo": Al Jazeera's web story takes users inside the war-torn city of Aleppo, Syria, providing a meaningful and immersive storytelling experience.
Web stories continually evolve, and new examples may have emerged since my last update. To discover the latest and best web stories, explore platforms like Google Web Stories and popular news organisations using this format.
 |
| We are proud of you |
Indian webstory
Title: "Chandrayaan 3: Journey to the Moon's Mysteries"
On July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST, Chandrayaan-3 was successfully launched. It achieved the lunar injection during the initial phase, placing it in a 100 km circular polar orbit. ISRO scheduled the lander and rover to touch down near the lunar south pole region on August 23, 2023.
- In a landmark moment for India's space exploration, "Chandrayaan 3: Journey to the Moon's Mysteries" is a riveting web story that takes you on an extraordinary live mission to the lunar surface. Join the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as they embark on an ambitious quest to conquer the moon.
- As the world watches with bated breath, the story begins with the anticipation and excitement surrounding the Chandrayaan 3 launch. Feel the adrenaline as scientists and engineers at ISRO's command centre meticulously prepare for the historic liftoff.
- Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the rocket propelling through Earth's atmosphere, carrying Chandrayaan 3 towards the mysterious lunar destination. With each passing moment, hearts race with hope and curiosity, eager to unveil the secrets of the moon's rugged terrain.
- Follow the space probe as it navigates through the complexities of space travel, encountering cosmic challenges that demand ingenuity and precision. Experience the tension and relief as Chandrayaan 3 overcomes hurdles, bringing it one step closer to the lunar orbit.
- Upon reaching the moon, be captivated by the meticulous landing process as the lander delicately manoeuvres towards its designated landing site.
- With real-time updates, immerse yourself in the nail-biting moments leading up to touchdown, where the mission fate hangs in the balance.
- As the dust settles and the lander successfully lands on the moon's surface, cheers of triumph reverberate through the command centre.
- Witness the sheer joy and pride as India marks another milestone in its space exploration journey.
- Explore the lunar landscape through the eyes of the rover as it roams the moon's surface, collecting vital data and capturing breathtaking images.
- Unveil the moon's enigmatic craters, mountains, and valleys, unlocking the mysteries that have fascinated humanity for centuries.
- But the mission doesn't end there. Engage with scientists and experts as they analyse the data transmitted by Chandrayaan 3, unravelling the moon's geological history and potential for future exploration and habitation.
- Join a global audience as they celebrate India's triumphant return to the moon, applauding the dedicated efforts of the brilliant minds behind Chandrayaan 3. You be the observer of the collective inspiration and aspiration of mission ignites, further propelling India's space endeavours into uncharted territories.
- As "Chandrayaan 3: Journey to the Moon's Mysteries" concludes, be filled with awe and wonder at the boundless possibilities that space exploration holds for humanity. Experience unity and pride as India marks another chapter in its space odyssey, leaving an indelible mark on the world and beyond.
According to a contract, the European Space Tracking (ESTRACK), operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), will support the mission. The new cross-support arrangement enables ESA tracking support for upcoming ISRO missions, including India's first human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, the Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, and the Aditya-L1 solar research mission. In exchange, ISRO's tracking stations will support future ESA missions similarly.