I wanted to pick something related to my major, computer science, for my technical description so I decided for my blog post, why not go for the most obvious choice? So I looked for a description of a computer. After clicking on the first link that showed up on Google, and looking at the way Webopedia used both images and text to describe a computer, I knew right away why the interplay of images and words is so important.
Text Becomes Easier to Read and Understand with Images
Computers are used every day by millions of people but the names of the little pieces that make a computer remain a mystery. For example, the average person does not know what CPU stands for, and they probably could not tell you the difference between input and output devices. A lot of the message might be lost when describing a computer with text if you used these terms without any context or explanation. All Webopedia did was show a diagram pointing to a printer and monitor screen with the words “Output devices” and a mouse and keyboard with the words “Input devices.” However, this one diagram immediately made the meanings of those words clear to anyone who has used a computer.
Text Can Compensate for the Limitations of Images
Motion, Speed and Time: An image cannot show how an object moves throughout space and it cannot show the interactions between different parts of a mechanism or process. Relying on just a picture to describe a moving, complex process is like looking at a photograph of a sport being played and trying to figure out the rules. You might get an idea of the number of players and the equipment involved, but you do not know what everything is supposed to do. Another issue is time – even after looking at a diagram of the water cycle, a reader has no idea how long the process actually takes without some help from text. So ultimately just a photo of a computer wont give much information, which is why my example had to use words.
Purpose: With so many different tasks done by a computer, an image alone cannot explain the purpose of each part. Purpose is not always obvious, especially with computers. My example’s diagram pointed out the different parts of a computer, and then it elaborated on the jobs they do with the text underneath. Just looking at a mass storage device won’t tell you that its job is to permanently retain large amounts of data.
Multiple Layers/Tiny Pieces: An image won’t necessarily be able to see inside or show different layers of an object. A computer has many parts that fit within one another, so an image of a “see through” computer would not make a description any clearer. In fact, there are so many small, sometimes unimportant parts within a computer that being able to see them all would make a description more complicated. Usually a more generalized description of certain parts would be more fitting. Instead of showing all the wires, transistors and circuits in a computer, my example just mentioned them with words, making their brief description still effective.
I think in most cases a photograph, diagram, or picture is much more effective in describing something technical, but it is definitely not a magical, one step solution. Making use of quality images in a description is important, as long as text is then used to orient and explain. Without both, the description is not complete or useful.
This in an impressive post on the benefits and limitations of using images in a technical description. I agree with your points about “motion, speed, and time.” I also laughed when you described the image of the computer with the labels for input and output devices.
I really loved your use of examples (sports, water cycle) to highlight the fact that it is difficult to explain technical products and processes with just an image. My one criticism of Webopedia’s image of a computer is that it looks quite dated. All of the parts are recognizable, but today, most monitors are flat screens and printers have many other functions like copying and scanning. I think a newer picture would enhance the description of a computer. Another interesting thing about Webopedia’s description is that it utilized bulleted lists to define a computer. I think the bullets may have been even more effective than the image itself in helping readers to understand the different components that make up a computer.