3 tools for interactive content
The web is a gold mine to find new ways to tell interactive stories. With open source devices, some tools can even be used and modified by changing the source code.
Even if you don’t know how a single work of html/css works, you can easily find great tools to create interactive reports. Here are three of them.
StoryMap JS
Storymap is a tool developed by the Knight Lab and dedicated to tell stories that unfold in various locations. Storymap enables the user to visualise very clearly what happened where and is really useful for complex stories. On a map basis, journalists can create one slide per event and tag it to a location. Adding some external contents such as video or audio to enrich the content is quite easy to do.
When to use Storymap : for stories unfolding over a rather long span of time, on numerous places, or for itineraries. For instance : how Daech has won cities in Syria and Iraq, the 2005 riots in French suburbs.
The + : very good visual tool which enables the reader to know easily the location of events. Intuitive, no need to learn how to use it.
The - : impossible to show two events happening at the same time in different locations.
Riddle
Riddle is a simple way to create surveys, lists or quizz. The last option is an engaging tool that can be used for lots of stories. Instead of simply writing the informations to convey them to the reader, quizz is a perfect way to the reader wonder on the subject and reflect upon it, before giving him the right answer. It’s particularly useful for economic data. You’d like to talk about wages inequalities between men and women ? Instead of reporting on it simply with an article or a graph, asking your readers what’s the difference of income between a male and female assistant might be the best way to make them remember the numbers.
The + : you can add medias and a “correct answer explanation” which enables to bring in more details or contextualization for each question.
The - : design personalization is rather limited
Thinglink
Thinglink enables to create interactive images. Given that the audience is searching for news that are visually attractive and quick to get and read, pictures are a good way to convey information. It can be used as a point of entry of a longer story, that the readers who are willing to can read. Thinglink enables to tag a picture in specific spots, in order to add details either via text or via embed media (video, link, social media…). This tool is particularly useful for reporting on a specific place (decrypting what’s happening on Maïdan square) or on a scene with people you can add details about (for instance, on the well-known picture of the Obama team the day of Bin Laden’s death).
The + : Thinglink can handle a huge variety of content from other platforms, which enables to enrich considerably the picture with lots of details if the reader’s willing to access them.
The - : Thinglink free version doesn’t allow for design personnalization of tags.
