A portfolio shows examples of completed work, not just a list of skills. Each project should have a title, a short explanation, and an accessible image if one helps.
What You Need to Know
Figure and figcaption can connect a screenshot to its description. Alt text should describe the screenshot's information, not repeat the entire caption.
The goal is not to collect as many tags as possible. Pick the element that best describes what the content really is.
Example: See It in Action
This example keeps the idea small. Copy it carefully, then follow the explanation instead of guessing what the browser will do.
This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.
<main>
<h1>My Projects</h1>
<article>
<h2>Weather App</h2>
<figure><img src="images/weather.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the weather app">
<figcaption>A simple weather project</figcaption>
</figure>
</article>
</main>Let’s Understand the Example
- Main identifies the central content of the page; it should not be duplicated as separate visible main landmarks.
- An h1 introduces the main subject of the page. Use the heading level for structure rather than font size.
- Article marks a piece that could make sense on its own, such as a news post or recipe.
- Src tells the browser where to find an image or other embedded resource.
- Alt supplies a text alternative for an image. Empty alt is appropriate for purely decorative images.
An image appears only if its file path is correct. If it is informative, its alt text should share the same useful meaning; if it is decoration, empty alt text is often right.
What Should You See?
The page should display “My Projects” as a heading, followed by its related content. Change the heading text and refresh the browser to see the result.
Read only the headings, from top to bottom. Do they tell a sensible story? If not, move sections or choose levels that match the content.
Try It Yourself
- Add a second project and describe the problem it solves.
- Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
- Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using an image gallery with no explanation of what each project does.
- Avoid picking tags just for their default bold, italic or spaced appearance. Use CSS for presentation.
Key Takeaways
- A portfolio shows examples of completed work, not just a list of skills.
- Main identifies the central content of the page; it should not be duplicated as separate visible main landmarks.
- Figure and figcaption can connect a screenshot to its description. Alt text should describe the screenshot's information, not repeat the entire caption.