Stories

Writing a new story

1. Click on the Stories tab on the top right of your screen.
2. Click on the Write a new story icon.
3. Type in a headline for your story.
4. Type a byline for your story.
5. Write a standfirst for your story.
6. Choose a category for your story.
7. Write your story in the large text box. You can make text bold or italic using the B and I icons above the text box. See story-writing tips.
8. If you have finished your story click Done.
9. If you want to finish or edit your story later, click Save as draft.

Headline
This is a title for your story. It should have a capital letter at the start, but does not need a full stop at the end.

Byline
This is your name, or the name of the person who will write the story.

Standfirst
This is a short introduction or sub-heading for your story.

Story categories

A story can fall into one of six categories:

UK news: Stories about something in the UK or someone from the UK

World news: Stories from somewhere else in the world

Sport: Stories about sport

Culture: Stories about books, art, music, films, theatre, television etc

Science: Stories about medicine and health, the environment, natural disasters, animals, space etc

Technology: Stories about machines, inventions and devices.

Saving a story

1. If you have finished writing your story click Done
2. If you want to finish or edit your story again later, click Save as draft.

Story status

Ready: The story is finished and ready to be checked by your teacher

Draft: The story is not finished yet

Not approved: There is a problem with your story. See your teacher's comment.

Live: The story has been approved and will be live on the web when the rest of your site has been approved.

Editing a story

1. Click on the Stories tab on the top right of your screen.
2. You will see the stories you have written under Your stories. Double click on the title of the one you want to edit. This will open the story.
3. You can make changes or add text to any part of the story.
4. If you have finished editing your story click Done.
5. If you want to come back to your story and finish or edit it again later, click Save as draft.

Creating a story page

Stories will only appear on your site when you have linked them to a story page. First you must design a site and write a new story. Then:
1. Click on the Web Pages tab on the top right of your screen.
2. Click on the Create a new web page icon, found under Things you can do here.
3. Choose a story from the list. You will be able to see stories you have written as well as stories your classmates have written. If you have not written a story yet, click Cancel. Then write a new story.
You will only be able to see stories that have been saved as Done.
If the story you want is not here, click on the Stories tab, open the story by double-clicking on its title, and save it as Done.
4. The story you have chosen will appear in a new page. You can edit any part of the story here.
5. If you have finished editing your story click Done.
6. If you want to come back to your story and finish or edit it again later, click Save as draft.

Linking a story to your front page

You can choose three stories to feature on your front page. Before you can do this you must design your site and create a story page for each of these stories. Then:
1. Open your front page by clicking on the Web Pages tab, on the top right of your screen, then double clicking on the title of your front page.
2. On your front page, click where it says Headline or Standfirst.
3. Click on the Link icon on the top left of your page.
4. A list of stories will appear.
You will only be able to see stories you have already linked to story pages.
If the story you want is not on this list, you will need to go back and create a story page for it. Choose a story from the list to link to your front page. Its headline and strapline will appear on your front page. When your site has been approved and is live on the web, your users will be able to read this story by clicking on its headline here.