Adding Images to Your Text

Check the Textbook

Use this information from Technical Communication:

Characteristics of an Effective Graphic, on page 303.
Ethics Note: Creating Honest Graphics, on page 304.
Guidelines: Integrating Graphics and Text, on page 304–305.
Tech Tip: Why to Insert and Modify Graphics and How to Insert and Modify Graphics, on page 308.
Citing Sources of Graphics, on page 309
Tech Tip: Why to Create and Insert Screen Shots and How to Create and Insert Screen Shots, on page 339.

Inserting an image in a word processor document is relatively easy. The hard part is using what you know about the design elements of contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity to make your image contribute positively to your message.

As you add images to your projects, consider these ideas:

Design Principle	Think About These Questions
Contrast	Is the size of the image appropriate for the length of the text? Does it stand out without overwhelming the design?
Repetition	Does the style of the image match the style of the text? Are colors a way to include repetition in the text?
Alignment	Does the image line up with the margin(s) of the text?
Proximity	Is the image near the information that it relates to? Have you wrapped the text around the image to tighten proximity?

To learn about the tools available in your word processor, watch one of the following videos, all from LinkedIn Learning. These videos are free with your VT login. Follow these instructions to login:

Format text around images (4m 24s), from Google Docs: Formatting in Depth
Add and customize graphics in a document (9m 28s), from Word Tips Weekly
Add visuals to a technical report (9m 0s), from Technical Writing: Reports