Determining Appropriate Alt Text

Context is the most important thing when determining appropriate alternative text for images. The alternative text for one image may be vary greatly based on the context and surroundings of the image itself. As an example, we will use the image below of the MU and Quad during Fall:

example image

The alternative text for this image might change immensely based upon context, as demonstrated below.

Example 1

example image

Through her strong advocacy for unicyclist rights at Oregon State University, professor Jane Doe has had an immense impact on the future for all unicyclists.

What would be appropriate alternative text for the image in Example 1?

  1. "Image of Jane Doe"
  2. "Jane Doe action shot, unicycling in front of the Women's Building at OSU "
  3. An empty alt attribute (alt="") will suffice.
  4. "Jane Doe unicycling"

Example 2

example image
Jane Doe

Through her strong advocacy for unicyclist rights at Oregon State University, professor Jane Doe has had an immense impact on the future for all unicyclists.

What would be the appropriate alt attribute for the image in Example 2?

  1. "Jane Doe"
  2. An empty alt attribute (alt="") will suffice.
  3. "Image"
  4. The image does not need an alt attribute.

Example 3

example image

What would be the appropriate alt attribute for the linked image in Example 3?

  1. An empty alt attribute (alt="") will suffice.
  2. "College of Public Health and Human Sciences"
  3. "Read More"
  4. "HHS"

Example 4

example image

In this photograph, the artist used perspective, light, color and motion to create the composition.

What would be the most appropriate alt attribute for the image in Example 4?

  1. "Jane Doe"
  2. "Photograph of Jane Doe"
  3. "Photograph of Jane Doe in front of the Women's Building on a unicycle"
  4. "A classic photograph demonstrating the use of motion and color to create composition"
  5. "Photograph of Jane Doe in front of the Women's Building on a unicycle. Light gently touches the leaves on the trees as Jane Doe cycles on the sidewalk parallel to the front of the Women's Building. There is also a subtle blur on the motion, a technique used by the photographer to give the photograph visual distinction."