Learn It 5.2.2 Selecting and Sourcing Images

Using Images for Impact

If a picture were really worth a thousand words, the issue of image versus text would be easily decided: use an image. That’s a thousand less words you have to write. However, both play a vital role in your communication efforts.

When to Use an Image

Use an image if the information is presented verbally. Are you preparing a PowerPoint presentation for a speaker? If so, you’ll want to stick with mostly images in your presentation. While you always want the audience to listen to the speaker, images actually help drive home the point the speaker makes and make that point more memorable as well. Therefore, you should use images that support the subject matter. 

See how these speakers use visuals to complement their presentations:

Use an image if the information is complicated and can be better explained in a visual format. You may be charged with explaining the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. You can prepare an enormous amount of text to review the process of each and hope that your audience understands, or you can reduce the text and use the diagram in Figure 1.

A digram comparing nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Figure 1. Nuclear fission compared to nuclear fusion

Use an image when it conveys something words just cannot. You may try to describe the northern lights to readers, but they won’t truly understand the beauty of the aurora borealis until they see it for themselves. Images can also convey the emotion of a situation in ways words often can’t. For example, you can tell people to adopt shelter dogs, but a sweet puppy face looking out from a cage will grab people’s emotional attention in a way the idea on its own can’t.

The northern lights forms streaks of green in a dark sky above a snow covered landscape
Figure 2. The beauty of the northern lights, also called aurora borealis, is difficult to describe in words.

Use an image when you have a lot of text. You might need to write a formal report that contains large sections of text. Placing images in a text-heavy document gives the reader a break, similar to someone pausing to take a breath when speaking.

When to Use Text

Use text when you want to make a powerful point. If you want to leave your audience with a thought like “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful,”[1] using text has far more impact than just showing a picture.

Use text when you’re creating a list or a mnemonic. Is your company a fan of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) goals, or do you want to discuss the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) candidate interview technique? It’s difficult to even discuss these without text.

Use text when an image just isn’t enough. Complex processes may be better served by a simplifying image, but in just about every other instance, complexity is better explained with words.


  1. Malala Yousafzai ↵