Images Inserted in Essays and Visual Presentations

When you insert an image into your essay or visual presentation, you need to provide a caption.

MLA guidelines for illustrative visual material other than tables (photos, maps, graph, chart, line drawing, etc.):

• Images should be labeled Figure (usually abbreviated Fig.), assigned a numeral and given a caption (information about the source)
• Type both label and caption directly below the image
• If the caption provides complete bibliographic information about the source and the source is not otherwise cited in the text, no entry is needed for the source in the works cited list
• If full bibliographic details are provided in the caption, punctuate the caption like a works-cited entry but do not invert the name of the creator
• Otherwise, use commas to separate elements in a caption and provide full publication details in the works-cited list

example:

Fig.1. Dorothea Lange. Toward Los Angeles, California. 1937. Library of Congress: Farm Security Administration.

Tables Inserted in Essays and Visual Presentations

• A table is usually labeled Table, numbered and titled
• Type both label and title on separate lines above the table, capitalize as you would a title (not all caps)
• Place the source of the table and any notes in a caption immediately below the table (designate notes to the table with lowercase letters rather than numerals)
• Contents of the table should be double-spaced
• Use dividing lines as needed for clarity
• If the caption provides complete bibliographic information about the source and the source is not otherwise cited in the text, no entry is needed for the source in the works cited list
• If full bibliographic details are provided in the caption, punctuate the caption like a works-cited entry but do not invert the name of the creator
• Otherwise, use commas to separate elements in a caption and provide full publication details in the works-cited list

example:

Table 1                                                                                                                                                       Title of Table, Capitalized.

Source information for the table. If the caption provides complete bibliographic information about the source and the source is not otherwise cited in the text, no entry is needed for the source in the works cited list

  a. Any notes about the information presented in the table.