A “captions” search of this website recalls earlier posts on why image captions play an important—but often overlooked—role in persuasive and informative legal writing.
Three times, the State Appellate Defender Office included excellent descriptive image captions in its Application for Leave to Appeal in People v David Serges (167154). The Michigan Supreme Court recently ordered oral argument on the application.
Descriptive image captions make the images “accessible” to those who rely on screen or live readers (like Justice Bernstein, who is blind). And for all reading audiences, they explain each image’s purpose and contribution to the legal writing.
Contrast that to an uncaptioned image pasted into the text without explanation, like in the Application for Leave to Appeal in Molitoris v Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church (166699).
One who uses a screen reader will “miss” this image because there is no descriptive caption or alternative text. And all audiences who come across the image will wonder (especially since the text within the image is too small for most to read): What’s going on here? How does this fit within this writing? What story is this image supposed to tell me?
The good news is that AI tools can be a helpful brainstorming and drafting partner when one is unsure how to caption an image.
I attached both the Molitoris Application and the page 24 image to ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity with the prompt: Suggest a caption for this image at page 24 of the application.
ChatGPT’s response:
Exhibit [X]: Screenshot from the official website of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church (https://saintmarymagdalen.org/giving), depicting the Church’s solicitation of tithes from parishioners. The webpage emphasizes that giving, defined as contributing 10% of one’s income, is a vital aspect of Christian life and supports the Church’s mission.
Claude’s response:
Based on the content in the legal document, this appears to be a screenshot from the Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church website showing their “Giving” and “Tithing” section. An appropriate caption would be:
“Screenshot of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church’s website showing their tithing and donation page, illustrating the church’s solicitation of financial contributions from parishioners.”
Perplexity’s response is my favorite:
Suggested Caption for the Image on Page 24:
“Screenshot from the St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church website showing information about tithing and donations. The left side explains the tradition of giving 10% of income to support the church’s mission, while the right features a maroon banner with the church’s logo and the words ‘Donate Now.’”
Images lose their potential for informative persuasion when they aren’t paired with informative text captions. SADO’s captions are helpful for the reading audience. Missing captions can render the image a waste of page space.
Unsure how to caption an image? Enlist AI tools to brainstorm drafting suggestions.
Your reading audience will thank you (instead of being confused or frustrated).