This paper introduces a new concept, the story concept, for the annotation of document collections in support of the creation of learning material. The main components of a story are its narrative, the links to specific sections within documents and meta data attached to stories that allow customization of stories according to users? needs and according to the users? point of view. The paper reviews discussion on learning objects and their meta data and shows how the story concept addresses issues raised in these areas. In the last sections of the paper the story concept is distinguished from learning object meta data approaches, educational modeling languages and the automated generation of learning material.