Tables and figures can help you to simplify the information you are presenting in a paper. If you have performed long-term scientific research, tables and graphs are essential for showing the results of that research, as well as for analyzing it. Using tables and figures is fairly simple, but you must also number them and introduce them, which means you will need to refer to them in your text. When you refer to the tables or figures, you will need to do so according the guidelines laid out in your chosen style manual.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Referring to Tables and Figures in MLA Style
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Introduce the table in the text first. Throughout the paper, you will number figures and tables consecutively, each in its own group, for example: “Figure 1, Table 1, Table 2, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Table 3…”
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Use the label and the number. When referring to the table or figure, you will use the label and the number, for example: “For more information on this data, see table 2.”Advertisement
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Steer clear of capitalization. In the text, you do not capitalize the words “table” or “figure,” though you do when labeling the table.Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Referring to Tables and Figures in APA Style
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Make sure the figure or table is near the paragraph that introduces it.
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Number tables and figures consecutively. Just like in MLA style, where each group gets its own set of numbers.
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Use a capital letter when referring to the table or figure in a text. Refer to the table or figure as “Table 1” or “Figure 2” in the text, using a capital letter. For example: “See Figure 1 as an example of this type of horse.”Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Referring to Tables and Figures in Chicago Style
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Tips
- Create a table or a figure when you are presenting a large amount of data. For instance, though you can and should talk about population growth over time in the text (if that’s your topic), a line graph is an effective way to summarize that information for your reader.Thanks
- Always refer to the table or figure in the text. Throwing a table or figure in the text with no reference will confuse the reader.Thanks
- Don’t forget to include reference information if your table or figure comes from another source.Thanks
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References
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