Tables & Illustrations
The MLA Handbook, 8th edition does not speak to tables and illustrations specifically. Instead, we recommend using the rules outlined in the 7th edition::
- Position a table or figure in the body of your written assignment flush to the left-hand margin
- Explain to the reader why the table or figure is important
- Label the table and figure in numerical order.
- Example: Table 1, Table 2, Fig. 1, Fig. 2
- Refer to the table and figure in-text by label and number in lowercase letters.
- Example: The unemployment rate in Canada has decreased (see table 1)
- Create a brief, but descriptive title for tables and figures. See below example.
- Place the source citation below the figure as a caption. There’s no need to cite the table or figure in your work-cited list if the table provides full information about the source, and the source is not listed in the body of your assignment.
Also see the Images section of this guide for recommendations specific to displaying images.
From MLA Style Center:
Your professor may have different citing expectations than library staff. Always check at the beginning of term and before starting assignments that the citing rules you are using are appropriate for your class.
