Chapter Recap Strip

A sticky bottom recap updates the reader's place and the next step in the narrative.

This experiment requires full-page rendering.

Open live demo

HTML

<div class="chapter-recap-strip" data-recap-strip>
  <article class="chapter-recap-strip__story">
    <section
      class="recap-section is-active"
      data-recap-section
      data-recap-title="Opening frame"
      data-recap-summary="Set the promise and the emotional climate."
      data-recap-next="Shift the argument into motion.">
      <p class="recap-section__eyebrow">Chapter 01</p>
      <h2>Opening frame</h2>
      <p>
        The first movement establishes tone and promise. The reader receives the broad frame of the story before the
        chapter strip begins to compress that context into a quicker recap.
      </p>
    </section>

    <section
      class="recap-section"
      data-recap-section
      data-recap-title="Argument shift"
      data-recap-summary="Move from setup into evidence and contrast."
      data-recap-next="Slow down for the reflective turn.">
      <p class="recap-section__eyebrow">Chapter 02</p>
      <h2>Argument shift</h2>
      <p>
        Once the narrative turns, the recap strip updates the reader's place without demanding attention away from the
        section. It reinforces memory while preserving momentum.
      </p>
    </section>

    <section
      class="recap-section"
      data-recap-section
      data-recap-title="Reflective turn"
      data-recap-summary="Create a pause before the final compression."
      data-recap-next="Gather the story into a final takeaway.">
      <p class="recap-section__eyebrow">Chapter 03</p>
      <h2>Reflective turn</h2>
      <p>
        In the slower middle movement, the strip acts like a lightweight chapter memory. It shows what just happened and
        hints at what comes next, which helps readers recover after interruptions.
      </p>
    </section>

    <section
      class="recap-section"
      data-recap-section
      data-recap-title="Final takeaway"
      data-recap-summary="Compress the narrative into one last clear memory."
      data-recap-next="End of narrative.">
      <p class="recap-section__eyebrow">Chapter 04</p>
      <h2>Final takeaway</h2>
      <p>
        By the end, the recap strip has turned the whole piece into a compact sequence of remembered steps. It supports
        orientation without resorting to a heavy chapter navigator.
      </p>
    </section>
  </article>

  <div class="chapter-recap-bar">
    <div class="chapter-recap-bar__progress" aria-hidden="true">
      <span data-recap-progress></span>
    </div>

    <div class="chapter-recap-bar__content">
      <p class="chapter-recap-bar__eyebrow">Recap</p>
      <p class="chapter-recap-bar__current">Now: <strong data-recap-current>Opening frame</strong></p>
      <p class="chapter-recap-bar__summary" data-recap-summary>
        Set the promise and the emotional climate.
      </p>
      <p class="chapter-recap-bar__next">Next: <span data-recap-next>Shift the argument into motion.</span></p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

CSS

.chapter-recap-strip {
  max-width: 980px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.chapter-recap-strip__story {
  display: grid;
  gap: 18px;
  padding-bottom: 120px;
}

.recap-section {
  min-height: 66vh;
  padding: 32px;
  border-radius: 30px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  background:
    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05), transparent 52%),
    rgba(8, 9, 11, 0.95);
}

.recap-section.is-active {
  border-color: rgba(250, 175, 59, 0.34);
}

.recap-section__eyebrow,
.chapter-recap-bar__eyebrow {
  margin: 0 0 10px;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.58);
}

.recap-section h2 {
  margin: 0 0 14px;
  max-width: 12ch;
  font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 4vw, 3.4rem);
  line-height: 0.96;
}

.recap-section p:last-child {
  max-width: 58ch;
  margin: 0;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.84);
  line-height: 1.8;
}

.chapter-recap-bar {
  position: sticky;
  bottom: 18px;
  z-index: 4;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
  border-radius: 24px;
  overflow: hidden;
  background:
    linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(19, 190, 156, 0.16), rgba(250, 175, 59, 0.16)),
    rgba(10, 11, 14, 0.92);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  box-shadow: 0 20px 48px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.26);
}

.chapter-recap-bar__progress {
  height: 4px;
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
}

.chapter-recap-bar__progress span {
  display: block;
  width: 25%;
  height: 100%;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #13be9c, #faaf3b);
  transition: width 200ms ease;
}

.chapter-recap-bar__content {
  padding: 18px 22px 20px;
}

.chapter-recap-bar__current,
.chapter-recap-bar__summary,
.chapter-recap-bar__next {
  margin: 0;
  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82);
  line-height: 1.65;
}

.chapter-recap-bar__summary,
.chapter-recap-bar__next {
  margin-top: 6px;
}

.chapter-recap-bar strong {
  color: #ffffff;
}

JavaScript

(function () {
  const root = document.querySelector('[data-recap-strip]');
  if (!root) return;

  const sections = Array.from(root.querySelectorAll('[data-recap-section]'));
  const progress = root.querySelector('[data-recap-progress]');
  const current = root.querySelector('[data-recap-current]');
  const summary = root.querySelector('[data-recap-summary]');
  const next = root.querySelector('[data-recap-next]');
  if (!sections.length || !progress || !current || !summary || !next) return;

  function activate(section) {
    const index = sections.indexOf(section);

    sections.forEach(item => {
      item.classList.toggle('is-active', item === section);
    });

    current.textContent = section.dataset.recapTitle;
    summary.textContent = section.dataset.recapSummary;
    next.textContent = section.dataset.recapNext;
    progress.style.width = `${((index + 1) / sections.length) * 100}%`;
  }

  const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
    entries => {
      let nextSection = null;
      let highestRatio = 0;

      entries.forEach(entry => {
        if (entry.intersectionRatio > highestRatio) {
          highestRatio = entry.intersectionRatio;
          nextSection = entry.target;
        }
      });

      if (nextSection) {
        activate(nextSection);
      }
    },
    {
      threshold: [0.25, 0.45, 0.65]
    }
  );

  sections.forEach(section => observer.observe(section));
  activate(sections[0]);
})();
  • Tech used Vanilla JS, WordPress-ready, No dependencies
  • Integration level Medium (template edit)
  • Performance safe Yes

What it solves

Helps readers recover context after pauses or interruptions without relying on a heavy chapter navigation pattern.

Chapter Recap Strip adds a lightweight sticky memory layer to long-form storytelling. As the reader moves through the narrative, the strip summarizes the current chapter, reinforces the key point and previews what comes next.

The result is a calmer alternative to a full chapter navigator: enough orientation to reduce disorientation, without introducing a heavy control system.