MLA Citation Guide (MLA 8th Edition): Images, Charts, Graphs, Maps & Tables

There are two types of material you can insert into your assignment: figures and tables.

A figure is a photo, image, map, graph, or chart.

A table is a table of information.

For a visual example of each, see the figure and table to the right.

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For more information on, see Purdue OWL MLA Figures, Tables and Examples.

Figure Numbers

The word figure should be abbreviated to Fig. Each figure should be assigned a figure number, starting with number 1 for the first figure used in the assignment. E.g., Fig. 1.

Title

Images may not have a set title. If this is the case give a description of the image where you would normally put the title.

Your Photographs

If you reproduce your own photograph you do not need to cite it. However, Seneca Libraries recommends adding a figure note beneath the image that reads "Photograph by author".

Citing in Digital Assignments

Remember that if you are citing information or images in a digital assignment (PowerPoint, website, infographic, etc.), please see the Citing Sources in Digital Assignments guide. 

To cite an image you have reproduced in your assignment, start with the figure number followed by a short description of the image and full citation for the source of the image. For example, if you found the image on a website, use the Works Cited list citation template for a website. The basic format for citing an image you reproduced is: 

Fig. X. Description of the figure from: citation for source figure was found in.

If the image appears in your paper the full citation appears underneath the image (see examples). If you are referring to other information from the source of the image, remember to cite the source in your Works Cited list. If you are referring to an image but not including it in your paper you must provide an in-text citation and include an entry in the Works Cited list.

Examples:

Fig. 1. Man exercising from: Green, Annie. "Yoga: Stretching Out." Sports Digest, 8 May 2006, p. 22. 

Fig. 2. Annakiki skirt from: Cheung, Pauline. "Short Skirt S/S/ 15 China Womenswear Commercial Update." WGSN.

To cite a Google Map you reproduced in your assignment, start with the figure number followed by the description of the map and full citation for such as:

Fig. X. Description of the figure from: "City, Province." Map, Google Maps. Accessed Access Date.

Example:

Fig. 1. Map of Newnham Campus, Seneca Polytechnic from: "Toronto, Ontario." Map, Google Maps. Accessed 23 Apr. 2014. 

Inserting a Table You Reproduced

• Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. Remember to use a hanging indent for the description of your table.
• Below the table, add the word Source: followed by the full citation for the source(s) where you found the information. For example, if you found the information on a website, use the Works Cited list citation format for citing a website.
• If the table is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

Table 1

Variables in determining victims and aggressors

Source: Mohr, Andrea. "Family Variables Associated With Peer Victimization." Swiss Journal of Psychology, vol. 65, no. 2, 2006, pp. 107-116, Psychology Collection, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185.65.2.107.

Inserting a Table You Adapted from Multiple Sources

• Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. Remember to use a hanging indent for the description of your table.
• Below the table, add the word Sources: followed by the full citation for the sources where you found the information. For example, if you found the information on a website, use the Works Cited list citation format for citing a website.
• List your sources in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Separate each source with a semi-colon.
• If the table is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

Table 1

Total downloads (in millions) of communication apps Discord, Telegram and WeChat through Apple App store and Google Play store in September 2020

Sources: Airnow. "Leading communication apps in the Google Play Store worldwide in September 2020, by number of downloads." Statista, Oct. 2020.; Airnow. "Leading social networking apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in September 2020, by number of downloads." Statista, Oct. 2020.