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Buena Vista University

MLA Citations (9th ed.): Tables & Illustrations

This guide will help you format your paper and cite your sources according to MLA.

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Tables

Place the table as close as possible to the part of the text to which it relates.

A table is usually labeled Table, given an Arabic numeral, and titled. Type both the label and title flush on separate lines above the table, and capitalize them as titles.

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 with numerals. Double-space throughout; use dividing lines as needed.

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

Illustrations

Illustrations may include any type of illustrative visual material, such as:

  • Photographs
  • Maps
  • Line drawings
  • Graphs
  • Charts

Place the illustration as close as possible to the parts of the text to which it relates.

Illustrations should be labeled Figure (usually abbreviated Fig.), assigned an Arabic numeral, and given a caption.

A label and caption ordinarily appear directly below the illustration. If the caption of the illustration provides complete information about the source and the source is not cited in the text, no entry is needed for the source in the works cited list.