AAR Picture before or after the text?

[Narvait]

So, there are folk who do AAR this way:
1) Show picture, then below write relevant chapter explaining/ describing the picture
and then there are this way:
2) Write text, then below add picture to illustrate the text above
and also there is a chaotic way - sometimes start with picture and add text below, sometimes with text and add picture below, depending on circumstances.

What is your way for AAR?
What is your preferred way as a reader?
Any advices on pictures vs text content for better readibility?

I play and have done some AARs mostly CK2, so if there is something that is CK2 specific, please mention.

 

[loup99]

I think it depends on the genre and preferences, but in general, I would have the text before, and then a picture if it is a narrative or historybook (pictures complement the text), while for gameplay I would have the picture before and then the text (text complement pictures more). I advice to not include the entire picture, only the relevant information.

However, this is my advise as a reader, an author might have a different perspective.

 

[Idhrendur]

I would say it depends on whether the words or the pictures are the primary storytelling vehicle. Most of the AARs I read are all about the text, with pictures being used to illustrate a point or break up the flow a little. Some barely use pictures at all (and the few they do use aren't even from in game!). But there are a lot of AARs on imgur where the pictures are the main storytelling method and the words are somewhat superfluous.

The main thing would be to know how you intend to tell your story and let that drive everything.

 

[delpiero1234]

I write a block text followed by a picture which shows what happened in the above text block.

 

[RossN]

I tend to use mostly text to 2 to 3 (very occasionally 4 pictures) thrown in. Generally I use one 'colour' piece at the very top, often a character portrait. There will be one or two cropped screenshots in the body of the text, detailing events in the game (battles etc.) Finally if territory changes have happened I'll include a screenshot at the very bottom.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Generally, I have some sort of header graphic to start. Then I'll find four images or so to break up the text as evenly as possible, seeing as I tend to write fairly long updates. Pictures will relate to action somewhere (not necessarily directly) above, never wishing to spoil anything below.

 

[MacGowan]

I usually go through the screenshot folder and separate them by day and category. example.

Naval war:
May 8th there was a big battle.

So I make the pictures first alongside the headline for each event that happened. "Naval war, Fall Gelb, production that week".
and then I write the longer text under that when I'm finished with all the pictures. (usually 10-20 pics)

 

[Deaghaidh]

Key thing is to be consistent.