# Describe the purpose of an image

AI Content Creation | Module 15: Make content accessible

## Your goal

Write text that gives the reader the missing information.

An image description depends on why the image is there. A workshop poster carrying event details needs those details in accessible text. A decorative texture may add no information.

Write for the context, not for an inventory of every colour and shape. For a meaningful notebook image, describe the worn cover and the repair materials when those details support the message.

Use the W3C decision tree to choose how to handle an image in a web page. Social platforms have their own description controls, so check the current publishing interface.

## Source pack

FICTIONAL PRACTICE BRIEF: Green Bench is a student repair club. It runs a free notebook-cover repair workshop on Saturday, 14:00 to 16:00, in Room B. There are 12 places. Learners bring one worn notebook; tools and scrap card are provided. Register using the club form. No date, form URL, access arrangements, impact figures, or testimonials have been supplied. Ask the organiser about missing details before publishing. This is a creative exercise, not a real event.

## Worked example

Write descriptions for an informative image and a text-heavy workshop poster.

### Informative image

A worn notebook with a torn cover lies beside scrap card and simple repair tools, showing what the workshop focuses on.

### Poster text alternative

Free notebook-cover repair workshop: Saturday, 14:00 to 16:00, Room B. Bring one worn notebook. Tools and scrap card supplied. Register through the club form.

### Context decision

The poster details also belong in the caption or page text so readers do not need to inspect the image to find them.

## Your work

Write descriptions for an informative image and a text-heavy workshop poster.

### Informative image

Write at least 8 words.


### Poster text alternative

Write at least 8 words.


### Context decision

Write at least 8 words.

## Review your work

- [ ] The description serves the image purpose.
- [ ] Essential text is available outside the image.
- [ ] I avoided guessing unseen details.

Completeness checks do not assess creative quality or factual accuracy. Review the actual work yourself or with a mentor.

## Quiz

1. What determines a useful image description?
   A. A fixed number of adjectives.
   B. The file name alone.
   C. The image purpose and surrounding context.

2. A decorative texture adds no information to a web page. What should guide its text alternative?
   A. The same event description repeated many times.
   B. Its decorative role and the W3C decision tree.
   C. A detailed invented story about the texture.

## Quiz explanations

1. C: The same image can need different text in different contexts.

2. B: Descriptions should reflect purpose and context.

## Further reading

[W3C: choosing image descriptions](https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/decision-tree/)