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public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text [2019/05/18 16:41]
rachel.osolen [General Tips]
public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text [2024/02/20 12:27] (current)
rachel.osolen
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-======Alt-Text for Picture Books=======+======Alt-Text for Children’s Books=======
  
-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].  For information on Alt-Text in general please see [[public:nnels:etext:images|Images, Maps & Graphs]].+The same [[public:nnels:etext:images:general_guidelines|General Guidelines]] apply to images in Illustrated Books and Picture Books: 
 +  * 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 the Alt-text, keep in mind the reading level of the book and write your Alt-Text at this reading level. It is also important to keep with the tone of the book so the descriptions are not jarring for the readerTo help with this it is useful to read part of the book. This will also help with getting the correct  language, character names, location names, etc. +Surrounding text or even parts of the text earlier in the book can describe what is in the imagesIn these cases it is good to take an extra moment to scan the book to find these. This will mean you will ultimately spend less time writing the description itself.
  
-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'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. 
  
-As with other types of Alt-Text, you only have to mention the style of the illustration once in the first imageAfter this, you can just keep with the description of the image itself.+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 narrationWe recommend applying the same writing style and terminology as the surrounding text.
  
-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]] for a breakdown on how you can start the writing process</note>
- +
-<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.</note> +
- +
-====General Tips==== +
- +
-The following are some other basic tips to help you in you description. +
- +
-  * Don’t editorialize, interpret, or analyze the material.  +
-  * Be objective. You do not want to put your opinions of what is happening into the description, just what is literally in the image. The reader should have the freedom for their own interpretation given all the necessary details. +
-  * 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, etc.. +
-  * 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 to help out if needed: +
-     * Grammar GirlActive vs Passive Voice +
-     * OwlPurdue University Active Voice +
-  * Do not give too much information, which can create an information overload. A good rule to follow isDoes this help with the narration of the story? +
-  * Remember, you don’t have to describe all the details, but describe what is necessary for the narration. It is balancing act. +
-  * 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. 
 +{{ :public:nnels:etext:kids-books:harbour.jpg?400 |}}
  
-===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. 
 +</WRAP>
  
-(insert image) 
  
-Grass dancers tread the northern earthThey dance over green grass with a large blue moon in the skyOn the left sidetwo dogs in traditional dancer's clothing are dancingBoth dogs wear roach style headdresses and their clothes are dark blue and grey buckskin. On the right side of the imagetwo more dogs in fancy dress are dancing. One of these dogs wears blackbuckskin clothing and the other dog wears bright red buckskin clothing with long tassels attached+It is also good to take some extra time to find out the illustration styleThis is an example of how beneficial it is to have the author and illustrator write the image descriptionsIf you can not do thisdon’t fret! Simply do a little bit of researchThe illustration style can often be found on the copyright and publication information pageor in interviews with the illustratorsit can also be clear from looking at the image itself.
  
-(insert image)+<note>As with other types of Alt-Text, you only have to mention the style of the illustration once in the first image. After this, you can just keep with the description of the image itself. </note>
  
-===ChildrenIllustration===+======Different Types of Image Spreads in Children'Books======
  
-(insert image)+    * [[public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_cover_image|Cover Images for Children's Books]] 
 +    * [[public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text:illustrated_books|Children’s Illustration]] 
 +  * [[public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text:2_page|Two Page Spread]] 
 +  * [[public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text:grouped_images|Illustrations with Grouped Images]] 
 +  * [[public:nnels:etext:kids-books:kb_alt-text:complex_kids|Complex Images in Picture Books]]
  
-Mona stands at the base of the tree looking up at the heart. She reaches up to it with one hand. +<note>Same rules for [[public:nnels:etext:images:skin_tone_gender_and_age|AgeGender, and Skin tone]] apply to Children'Books.</note>
-<note>The character’s name, physical description, and the description of the tree and the door, are in the surrounding text.</note> +
- +
-===Image Over Two Pages=== +
- +
-(insert images+
- +
-**First Image Alt-Text:** An indigenous man with longblack hair and brown eyes stands visible from the chest up. He looks up to towards the sky with a smilehis right palm open and facing upwards. Light casts a shadow to the left over his face. He wears a yellow buckskin robe with thick red squared lines and block patterns. Further back, a few feet behind him, an Indigenous woman with long, black flowing hair stands facing away from the man with her head tilted up towards the sky and her left arm held outwards with fingertips facing the ground. She wears a blue and green striped robe. In the background, there is a green field and a brown hill at the horizon. Dark blue clouds fill the sky with rain, and a single flash of white lightning. Pale blue and yellow pictographs of thunderbirds are in the clouds. +
- +
-**Second Image Alt-Text:** This illustration is the continuation of the one before. The man'left hand is held upwards towards the skyIn 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, and a swirling gust of wind. +
- +
- +
-</WRAP>+
  
-====Character Description====+<note tip>For more on Writing go to the [[public:nnels:etext:images:general_guidelines|General Guidelines]] for Image Descriptions and [[public:nnels:etext:images:how_to_edit_alt-text|Editing Alt-text.]] </note>
  
-You only have to describe a character in full the first time they appearafter 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).  Use pronouns only when it is clear to whom or what the pronoun refers. When describing characters, include skin colour with white people as well as POC. Please avoid comparing skin colour to a food or beverage. The following is a list of suggestions.+<note tip>If you have any questionspost your question on the [[public:nnels:etext:images:alt-text_q_a|Alt-Text Q&A]]</note>
  
-Terms for describing skin colour: +[[public:nnels:etext:kids-books|Navigate Back to Children's Books]]
-  * brown +
-  * dark brown +
-  * fair complexion +
-  * light brown +
-  * light tan +
-  * olive +
-  * pale pink +
-  * ruddy complexion +
-  * tan +
-  * white+
  
  
public/nnels/etext/kids-books/kb_alt-text.1558222916.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/05/18 16:41 by rachel.osolen