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public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text [2019/05/18 16:44] rachel.osolen |
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- | ======Alt-Text for Picture | + | ======Alt-Text for Children’s |
- | This section will explain how to write Alt-Text specifically for images in picture books and illustrated books for children. | + | This section will explain how to write Alt-Text specifically for images in Children’s Books. |
- | On top of describing the images in the book, we also describe the cover. For information on how to do this please see Cover Image [hyperlink]. | + | The same [[public: |
+ | * Write descriptions based on context | ||
+ | * Write descriptions with a clear structure | ||
+ | * Aim for conciseness | ||
+ | * Use present tense / action verbs | ||
+ | * Be objective | ||
+ | * Do not censor | ||
- | ======Writing Tips===== | + | The biggest difference between Children’s Books and other types of books is the context. It is important to keep in mind the reading level of the book, and ensure that you write image descriptions that match that reading level. |
- | When writing | + | Surrounding text or even parts of the text earlier |
- | It is also important not to mention a character’s name before it is told in the text. Before this, rely on a general identifier. For example: The boy in the blue hat, the bluebird, or the mouse with a ribbon on her head. | + | Think about repeated characters. Children’s books focus on the adventures of the main characters. When we see a character over and over again we only have to describe their actions and what is different about them. Don' |
- | As with other types of Alt-Text, you only have to mention | + | Word choice and tone is also very important. Remember the reading level the book is for and try to choose your words so they are not too complex. It is also important to try and match the tone of the surrounding text so it does not break the narration. We recommend applying |
- | It is also important to describe colours and shapes accurately in order to recreate the visual storytelling in your written description. | ||
- | Note: If the image goes across two pages add ‘This illustration is the continuation of the one before’ at the beginning of the second image. | + | <note tip>Go to [[public:nnels:etext:images:writing_tip_point_form|Writing Tip: Using Point Form Technique]] |
- | + | ||
- | <note tip>Writing longer Alt-text within the Alt-Text Window can prove problematic. There is no way to track your spelling and grammar mistakes, and it can also be difficult edit. We recommend you write your description in a new document to help track mistakes and edits before copying it into the Alt-Text window.</ | + | |
- | + | ||
- | =====General Tips===== | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The following are some other basic tips to help you in you description. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | * Don’t editorialize, | + | |
- | * Be objective. You do not want to put your opinions of what is happening into the description, | + | |
- | * Be clear and concise. It is important not to be too wordy or over describe, since this can lead to confusion in the reader. | + | |
- | * Choose words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative to convey visual images. Think about getting as much content into as few words as possible, as describers convey visual information that is either inaccessible or only partially accessible to a segment of the population. | + | |
- | * Describe colour, space and texture. | + | |
- | * Be very specific to the what the artist created. | + | |
- | * Describing is highly contextual, so bear in mind cultural significance of items of clothing, tool, instruments, | + | |
- | * Do a little bit of research to make sure you are describing the images correctly for that culture. It is important to be concise but also correct. | + | |
- | * Use third-person narrative style to show neutrality and noninterference. | + | |
- | * Use active verbs in the present tense. This is very important to keeping the flow of the narration moving. | + | |
- | * Two good resources | + | |
- | * Grammar Girl: Active vs Passive Voice | + | |
- | * Owl: Purdue University Active Voice | + | |
- | * Do not give too much information, | + | |
- | * Remember, you don’t have to describe all the details, but describe what is necessary | + | |
- | * First think about the story: What is in the image that is important to the story? | + | |
- | * Then think about what you personally see. Remember a person with a visual impairment wants to ‘see’ this too. | + | |
<WRAP center round box 80%> | <WRAP center round box 80%> | ||
- | ====Examples==== | + | The following is a good example of tone. |
+ | {{ : | ||
- | ===Cultural Details=== | + | [Alt-text] A great big full moon glows over the city skyline along the harbourfront. There are large city buildings in the skyline. In front of the buildings is a sparkling silver lake. On the lake are two boats, one with an orange flag flapping in the wind. Stars sparkle in the sky. |
+ | </ | ||
- | (insert image) | ||
- | Grass dancers tread the northern earth. They dance over green grass with a large blue moon in the sky. On the left side, two dogs in traditional dancer' | + | It is also good to take some extra time to find out the illustration style. This is an example of how beneficial it is to have the author and illustrator write the image descriptions. If you can not do this, don’t fret! Simply do a little bit of research. The illustration |
- | (insert | + | < |
- | ===Children’s Illustration=== | + | ======Different Types of Image Spreads in Children's Books====== |
- | (insert image) | + | * [[public: |
+ | * [[public: | ||
+ | * [[public: | ||
+ | * [[public: | ||
+ | * [[public: | ||
- | Mona stands at the base of the tree looking up at the heart. She reaches up to it with one hand. | + | < |
- | < | + | |
- | ===Image Over Two Pages=== | + | <note tip>For more on Writing go to the [[public: |
- | (insert | + | <note tip>If you have any questions, post your question on the [[public: |
- | **First Image Alt-Text:** An indigenous man with long, black hair and brown eyes stands visible from the chest up. He looks up to towards the sky with a smile, his right palm open and facing upwards. Light casts a shadow | + | [[public:nnels: |
- | **Second Image Alt-Text:** This illustration is the continuation of the one before. The man's left hand is held upwards towards the sky. In the background, there is brown village complex that seems to be carved out of the ground. Behind it, there is a tall cliff. Above the cliff, there are brown clouds that mix with bigger, dark blue clouds above. A bolt of lightning shoots from the left side of the dark blue clouds, while on the right side, some stars are faintly visible in the sky. Inside the dark clouds, there is a yellow pictograph of a thunderbird, | ||
- | |||
- | </ | ||
- | |||
- | =====Character Description===== | ||
- | |||
- | You only have to describe a character in full the first time they appear, after this you can identify them by their name, or another feature such as an item of clothing, or a physical feature unique to that character (e.g. the boy in the blue hat, the girl with the curly hair). | ||
- | |||
- | Terms for describing skin colour: | ||
- | * brown | ||
- | * dark brown | ||
- | * fair complexion | ||
- | * light brown | ||
- | * light tan | ||
- | * olive | ||
- | * pale pink | ||
- | * ruddy complexion | ||
- | * tan | ||
- | * white | ||
- | |||
- | <WRAP center round box 80%> | ||
- | ===Examples=== | ||
- | |||
- | </ |