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Indiana University
Content Components

Text Essay

Highlight longer-form statements on index pages

Included on:

Content Strategy

Writing for the web

Visit the IU Brand website for guidance on writing effective content for the web.

Overview

The Text Essay component presents a mission or editorial statement. It supports an impactful title, supporting text, and optional calls to action.

Common uses

  • Present a mission, vision, or value statement
  • Introduce a section with contextual or narrative content
  • Pair longer text with one or two follow-up actions

Component example

Component fields

Element name Required Multiple
Layout Layout style (two-column or centered). Two-column aligns with other content; centered uses a single-column, focused presentation.
Yes No
Heading level Heading level (H2–H6). Must follow proper heading order. Do not skip levels or use them out of sequence.
Yes No
Sticker ID Optional. Rivet sticker ID for visual emphasis. See the Rivet website for a list of stickers.
No No
Title Main heading for the text essay.
Yes No
Eyebrow Optional. Small label above the title. Often used for a category or topic name. Limit to 1–2 words.
No No
Teaser Optional. Main text content. Supports bold, italics, links, and lists. Limit to a few short sentences.
No No
Show call to action links? If checked, up to two call to action links are displayed.
No No
Call to action Group containing fields for a single call to action link. Maximum 2. Visible only when "Show call to action links?" is selected.
No Yes
Call to action text Link text (a few words, using active verb phrasing such as "Apply now").
Yes No
Call to action link Destination Page or External Link.
Yes No

Accessibility

  • Use clear and concise headings
    Headings help users of assistive technology navigate page content quickly.
  • Maintain proper heading order
    Follow a logical heading structure (H2 → H3 → H4, etc.). Don’t skip levels or rearrange them for visual effect.
  • Write clear link text
    Links should describe their destination. Avoid vague labels like Read more or Click here.

Do

  • Use for mission, value, or editorial statements on an index page
  • Use the centered layout for focused statements or messaging
  • Apply proper heading levels to maintain accessibility
  • Follow the IU Brand guidelines for writing effective web content

Don't

  • Use in place of purpose-built components like quotes, list hubs, or callouts
  • Adjust heading levels for purely aesthetic reasons
  • Overload the text with excessive bold or italic formatting