The ArcGIS StoryMaps platform allows users to combine many different types of content - text, photos, videos, maps, and more - to create a compelling story. For a typical story map project, you’ll spend the vast majority of your time planning your story and creating or identifying relevant content, rather than on building the story map itself. Think of this as analogous to the way your time might be distributed when planning and conducting a project and then preparing a manuscript for publication.

For this exercise, we’ve done the content preparation for you, and you’ll have the chance to focus on some hands-on experience with the platform. We’ve chosen the timely theme of the U.S. Census, and all of the content you'll be adding in Task 3 is provided in the document linked below.

For your reference, a completed version of the story map that you are creating in this exercise is available here.

1. Start by taking a closer look at the Task 3 Content document you opened above. For much of the content, you'll just be copying and pasting.
2. When you see content in bold brackets such as [Text], this is indicative of the type of content block you should choose to add from the ArcGIS StoryMaps block palette.

3. When you see content in starred italics such as *Add alt text*, this is indicative of additional actions you should perform within a content block. Some of these actions can be accomplished by clicking and highlighting the appropriate text, while others require that you edit the properties of the added content.
   1. For example, when you want to create a heading, choose to add a Text content block, and paste in the text provided. Then highlight that text, and click the large Tt icon.
   2. When you want to add alt text for images, videos, and maps, you'll use an item's Options menu to edit its properties.

4. When you're ready to start adding your content, scroll past the cover until you see the blank story template that begins with Tell your story…
5. Click the plus icon to open the block palette, and begin adding your content. You can hover over the block types to learn more about how they function.

When you have finished adding everything from the Task 3 Content document, take a minute to review the Quick Tips provided below before moving on to Task 4.​​​​

1. The U.S. Census Bureau image used in this task is available for reuse under a Creative Commons license. Keep copyright and fair use in mind when choosing content for your own story map projects.
   1. Have questions? Contact the University Libraries' Copyright Services team.
   2. Want help locating content for your subject area? Ask a librarian.
2. Keep digital accessibility in mind for your own story map projects, including alternative text (alt text) for images, videos, and maps. See this short video from the ArcGIS StoryMaps team about adding alt text to the media in your stories.