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public:nnels:etext:images:general_guidelines [2021/08/02 18:54] rachel.osolen |
public:nnels:etext:images:general_guidelines [2024/02/20 20:19] rachel.osolen [Average Times for Writing and Editing Alt-text] |
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=======General Guidelines======= | =======General Guidelines======= | ||
- | Writing short and concise alternative text is something of an art, as the information needed from each image is not always the same. This page goes over some general guidelines of how to write image descriptions. Go back to How to Write Alt-text for more documentation, | + | Writing short and concise alternative text is something of an art, as the information needed from each image is not always the same. This page goes over some general guidelines of how to write image descriptions. Go back to [[public: |
- | < | + | <note tip> |
Alt-text is read as a single line of text within the figure or image tags of an EPUB. Because of this there can be no complex formatting, including even paragraph breaks. This means it is very important to be strict with your punctuation. Punctuation will help create pauses for the screenreader. | Alt-text is read as a single line of text within the figure or image tags of an EPUB. Because of this there can be no complex formatting, including even paragraph breaks. This means it is very important to be strict with your punctuation. Punctuation will help create pauses for the screenreader. | ||
- | There used to be a rule that Alt-text had to be 120 characters long, but this is no longer the case. You need to still aim to be as direct and concise as possible to avoid cognitive overload. This means that most Alt-text only needs to be 2-5 sentences long. Remember that it will be read all at once, which is why we have to be so careful with how we write it. Editing will become your friend. For more information, | + | There used to be a rule that Alt-text had to be 120 characters long, but this is no longer the case. You need to still aim to be as direct and concise as possible to avoid cognitive overload. This means that most Alt-text only needs to be 2-6 sentences long. Remember that it will be read all at once, which is why we have to be so careful with how we write it. Editing will become your friend. For more information, |
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General guidelines for writing are as follows: | General guidelines for writing are as follows: | ||
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* Do not censor | * Do not censor | ||
- | ======Context====== | + | =====Context===== |
Context is so important. Context is key! You must write all your descriptions based on the context in which the image is presented. The reading level, audience, surrounding text, and related images will all influence the description you are writing. The same image in a textbook that appears in a novel will have a completely different image description. | Context is so important. Context is key! You must write all your descriptions based on the context in which the image is presented. The reading level, audience, surrounding text, and related images will all influence the description you are writing. The same image in a textbook that appears in a novel will have a completely different image description. | ||
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- | If the image is repeated, you can shorten the image description depending on the context. If the image is in a sequence, or goes over 2 pages, go to Images Over 2 Pages and Images In a Sequence for more information. | + | If the image is repeated, you can shorten the image description depending on the context. If the image is in a sequence, or goes over 2 pages, go to [[public: |
- | ====Write with a Clear Structure==== | + | Does the image include a character in the story, or a person in a fiction book? Is this the first time you are introduced to them? If this is the first time the character/ |
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+ | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: | ||
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+ | =====Write with a Clear Structure===== | ||
Always write descriptions with a clear structure. Think of it as walking the reader through the image. It needs to be in a logical order for them to understand what is happening in the description. | Always write descriptions with a clear structure. Think of it as walking the reader through the image. It needs to be in a logical order for them to understand what is happening in the description. | ||
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- | If you removed the end sentence, it would still be a complete image description. | + | If you removed the end sentence, it would still be a complete image description. |
- | ====Present Tense and Action Verbs==== | + | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: |
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+ | =====Be Concise===== | ||
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+ | Use plain, simple, direct language and be precise. The description should be accessible to any reading level. For example, if you are describing a leafy tree do not use the word deciduous as it is too complex, be simple and direct and use green leafy tree. | ||
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+ | Always be culturally aware and sensitive to what you are describing. You may need to do some research to find the right words to describe a piece of clothing, or a part of a diagram, but using the right terminology will not only help you be more concise, it will also ensure you are being respectful. | ||
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+ | Avoid phrases like “image of”, “table of”, etc.. The screenreader will already pick up that it is an image or table, so writing this will be repetitive and redundant. | ||
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+ | You can mention the type of image if it fits the context of the book. If you have a book that is all black and white images, or another specific yet consistent style, you only need to provide this information in the first image description--don’t repeat it in the following images. | ||
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+ | For example, the first image’s Alt-text would read: "A black and white photograph of a teenage Asian girl looking out a window on a train." | ||
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+ | If the style changes in the book, for example all the images where photographs and then there is a newspaper clipping, state at the beginning of the image description for the newspaper clipping what it is: “A newspaper clipping with a headline that reads: “...”” For the photograph that directly precedes the newspaper clipping state it is a photograph: “A photograph of …” | ||
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+ | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: | ||
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+ | =====Present Tense and Action Verbs===== | ||
Being clear, direct, and concise is essential to a well written image description. It can also be a challenge! This is why it is recommended to use Present Tense and Active Verbs as it will help to tighten up your description and make it tick all the right boxes. Check out Grammarly’s page on [[https:// | Being clear, direct, and concise is essential to a well written image description. It can also be a challenge! This is why it is recommended to use Present Tense and Active Verbs as it will help to tighten up your description and make it tick all the right boxes. Check out Grammarly’s page on [[https:// | ||
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+ | Another way to think about it is to describe what is in the image as it is happening in real time! | ||
Grammar is very important to writing Alt-text. If your word choice and punctuation is wrong or off the screenreader will pick this up and your description will not make sense. You can not create paragraph breaks in Alt-text, so punctuation can be used to create pauses and structure. | Grammar is very important to writing Alt-text. If your word choice and punctuation is wrong or off the screenreader will pick this up and your description will not make sense. You can not create paragraph breaks in Alt-text, so punctuation can be used to create pauses and structure. | ||
- | ====Be Objective==== | + | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: |
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+ | =====Be Objective===== | ||
Describe what you can see such as physical appearances and actions rather than intentions based on your interpretations or judgment calls. Never be subjective, the reader should be able to come to their own conclusions about any image. | Describe what you can see such as physical appearances and actions rather than intentions based on your interpretations or judgment calls. Never be subjective, the reader should be able to come to their own conclusions about any image. | ||
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Read the text around the image. If there is a person, place, or object that is named in the text, then use the name in your description. If there is a repeated character or place, only describe in detail the first time and then simply name the character/ | Read the text around the image. If there is a person, place, or object that is named in the text, then use the name in your description. If there is a repeated character or place, only describe in detail the first time and then simply name the character/ | ||
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- | **Example** | + | <note tip>Read your description after you write it without looking at the image. Can you recreate the image based solely on your image description? |
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Expressions can be tricky. Words and phrases such as “grinning”, | Expressions can be tricky. Words and phrases such as “grinning”, | ||
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* Grimace | * Grimace | ||
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- | Skin tone and Gender also needs to be objective. Go to **Skin tone and Gender** to learn more. | + | Skin tone, Age and Gender also needs to be objective. Go to [[public: |
- | ====Be Concise==== | + | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: |
- | Use plain, simple, direct language and be precise. The description should be accessible to any reading level. For example, if you are describing a leafy tree do not use the word deciduous as it is too complex, be simple and direct and use green leafy tree. The only exception to this would be if the surrounding text talks about deciduous trees. Context is always paramount! | ||
- | Always be culturally aware and sensitive to what you are describing. You may need to do some research to find the right words to describe a piece of clothing, or a part of a diagram, but using the right terminology will not only help you be more concise, it will also ensure you are being respectful. | + | =====Don’t censor===== |
- | Avoid phrases like “image of”, “table of”, etc.. The screenreader will already pick up that it is an image or table, so writing this will be repetitive | + | Remember, you are creating a written description that replaces a visual image. The reader needs to be able to have access to what is important in that image, and this means we never censor image descriptions. |
- | You can mention the type of image if it fits the context of the book. If you have a book that is all black and white images, or another specific yet consistent style, you only need to provide this information in the first image description--don’t repeat it in the following images. | + | < |
- | For example, the first image’s | + | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: |
- | If the style changes in the book, for example all the images where photographs | + | =====Average Times for Writing |
- | ====Don’t censor==== | + | The following is a breakdown of the average writing time for Alt-text: |
+ | ^Image Type ^Average Work Hours ^ | ||
+ | |Simple image | 3 minutes per image | | ||
+ | |Medium image | 20 minutes per image | | ||
+ | |Complex image | 35 minutes per image | | ||
- | Remember, | + | < |
- | < | + | The following is an average breakdown for editing images: |
+ | ^Image Type ^Average Edit Hours ^ | ||
+ | |Simple image | 1 minutes per image | | ||
+ | |Medium image | 10 minutes per image | | ||
+ | |Complex image | 25 minutes per image | | ||
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+ | <note tip> | ||
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+ | [[public: |