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MLA Citation Guide (9th Edition): Images, Charts, Graphs, & Tables

This research guide is based on the MLA Handbook 9th edition

Reproducing vs Citing

Reproducing vs. Just Citing 

 

Citing Information from an Image, Infographic, Chart, Table or Graph (not reproducing it)

This happens if you only cite information from an image, infographic, chart, table, or graph and do not reproduce it in your paper. If you're only citing information from an image, infographic, Chart, Table or Graph:

  1. Provide an in-text citation. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found. (e.g., if you find the image on a website, use the in-text citation of a website). 
  2. Cite the image in your Works Cited List. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found. (e.g., if you found the image on a website, cite the website). 
  3.  
Reproducing Images, Infographics, Charts, Tables & Graphs​

Reproducing happens when you copy or recreate an image, infographic, table, graph, or chart that is not your original creation. If you reproduce one of these works in your assignment, you must create a note (or "caption") underneath the photo, image, chart, graph, or table to show where you found it. If you do not refer to it anywhere else in your assignment, you do not have to include the citation for this source in a Works Cited list. 

reproduced table

Inserting a Table You Reproduced

  • Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1, bolded and aligned to the left) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. 
  • Below the table, add the word Adapted from: followed by the full citation for the source 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. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • 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

Variables  Non-aggressive victims Aggressive victims Non-victimized aggressors
Mother’s affection t = -2.69 
(df = 80, p = .01)		 t = -2.16
(df = 33, p = .04)		 t = -1.94
(df = 71, p = .06)
Father’s affection t = -.97
(df = 73, p = .34)		 t = -1.58
(df = 31, p = .13)		 t = -3.16
(df = 69, p = .00)
Family conflict t = 2.03
(df = 73, p = .05)		 t = 2.12
(df = 31, p = .04)		 t = 3.38
(df = 67, p = .00)
Family violence t = 2.52
(df = 81, p = .01)		 t = 2.97
(df = 33, p = .01)		 t = 2.10
(df = 72, p = .04)

Adapted from: Andrea Mohr. "Family Variables Associated With Peer Victimization." Swiss Journal of Psychology, vol. 65, no. 2, 2006, pp. 111. Gale Psychology Collection, https://doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185.65.2.107. PDF download. 

Tip

Your Photographs & Images

If you reproduce your own photograph or image in your coursework, you do not need to cite it. However, Simmons Library recommends adding a figure note beneath the image that reads "Photograph by author" or "Image by author."

cited table

Inserting a Table You Adapted from Multiple Sources

Note: This is a Seneca Libraries recommendation. When creating a table with data from different sources, be mindful of how the data is related to each other, such as if they are measuring the same thing or comparing similar variables. If the data you want to present are not related, consider displaying them in separate tables.

  • Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1, bolded) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. 
  • Below the table, add the word Adapted from: 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. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • 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

App Apple App store Google Play store
Discord 4.09 12.53
Telegram 3.09 17.22
WeChat 7.37 27.49

Adapted from: 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.

reproduced images

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Source

If you are recreating visual material which is not a table (e.g., infographic, maps, photo, graph):

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description. 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow the citation template for your source. For example, if you're citing an infographic from a website, use the template for citing infographics posted on a website. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

Examples:

Black and white male figure exercising

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

Yellow printed skirt by designer Annakiki. Faces on skirt.

Fig. 2. Pauline Cheung. "Short Skirt S/S/ 15 China Womenswear Commercial Update." WGSN, 4 June 2016, p. 2.