Dungeons & Dragons taught me how to write alt text

The post argues that writing alt text can borrow from Dungeons & Dragons: start with the most important thing, then add detail in an order that helps comprehension. It also says context changes how much detail is useful, and that tone and mood can be part of the description when they support the image’s purpose.

It connects this to screen readers, which announce alt text linearly and let users stop when they have enough information. The author frames image description as a question of power and autonomy, and says alt text can be practiced and improved.

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• The author says playing Dungeons & Dragons led them to think about how to describe things by prioritizing what matters most.
• An advice column in Dragon magazine suggested describing the most important thing first, then adding detail in an order that helps understanding.
• The post contrasts a room description that buries the dragon with one that starts with the dragon attack.
• It says useful description leaves out information that is irrelevant to the main point and the mood being communicated.
• The author argues that alt text depends on context, so a major event can justify more detail and emotion.
• The same logic applies in reverse when a small or trivial object only needs a short description.
• The post compares a short badge reading “New!” with a much more detailed NASA image description to show how purpose changes the needed level of detail.
• It says tone and mood matter because descriptions can communicate not only what is present, but how the scene should feel.
• The author notes that an editorialized description may establish a mundane setting first so an unexpected interruption feels more shocking.
• Screen readers read alt text in a linear sequence, so placing the most useful information first helps users decide when they have enough.
• The author says alt text also involves power, and that people who can’t see an image should be able to understand it as fully as people who can.
• The post links this to consent in roleplaying games and autonomy in alt text.
• It closes by saying alt text writing improves with practice and points to several resources for learning more.