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

This guide will help you cite sources using the MLA Style 9th edition.

Reproducing vs. Just Citing

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

 

If you are 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 format for 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).
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.

Examples

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Library Database

If you are recreating visual material from a library database:

  • 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.

Example

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.

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Digital Archive

If you are recreating visual material from a digital archive or collection:

  • 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.
  • Follow the citation, if applicable, with any Creative Commons (e.g., CC BY) or copyright notes (e.g., reproduced with permission from author).
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.

Example

Sod Turning at Finch Campus Site for Seneca College and Construction Progress Sign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 3. Department of Media Production. "Sod Turning at Finch Campus Site and Construction Progress Sign." Images from the Archives: Celebrating 50 Years of Seneca, Seneca College, 4 June 1968, digitalrepository.senecacollege.ca/s/imagesfromthearchives/item/18806. Copyright 2016, Seneca College.

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Book

If you are recreating visual material from a book:

  • 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.

Example

Illustration of man doing stretches from a book

 

 

 

 

 

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

Inserting Stock Photos and Images from Websites

If you are including stock photos (e.g., from Flickr, Pixabay, Unsplash) or images from websites:

  • 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 a website. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • Follow the citation, if applicable, with any Creative Commons (e.g., CC BY) or copyright notes (e.g., reproduced with permission from author).
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.
Note: It's important to be aware of copyright when using images from a website. Even if you include a citation, certain images still require the permission of the author before you can copy and include it in your work. Always check the terms of use of the image/website to ensure that you can include the image in your work and/or if you need to first get the copyright holder's permission. For sources of free images you can use in your coursework, check out the Finding Free Images, Audio, and Video guide from Seneca Sandbox.

Example

Toronto Union Station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 3. City of Toronto. "Toronto: Union Station." Flickr, 1 June 2010, flickr.com/photos/cityoftoronto/9841374213/. CC-BY.

Inserting a Table You Reproduced

If you copy or recreate a table that you found in your source:

  • 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.

Example

Table 1

Variables Non-aggressive victims Aggressive victims Non-victimized aggressors
Mother's affection t = -2.69 
(df = 80, p = .01)
t = -2.69 
(df = 80, p = .01)
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 = 2.03
(df = 73, p = .05)
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.

Inserting a Table You Adapted from Multiple Sources

Note: 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.

 

If you are creating a table using information from multiple sources:

  • 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.

Example

Table 1

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.

Your Photographs & Images

If your photograph or image is publicly accessible online, such as on a website, social media, or blog:

  • 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 your image which is posted on 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.

If your photograph or image is not publicly accessible:

  • Add a caption below your photograph with a figure number and image description (e.g., Fig. 1. CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario).
  • There is no need to credit yourself as the author of the photograph. Library recommendation: If you'd like to make it clear that you created the image, you may add a note in the caption. (e.g., Fig. 1. CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, photograph by author)

Tips for Citing Figures and Images

Figure Numbers

The word figure should be abbreviated to Fig. Each figure should be assigned a figure number, starting with number 1 for the first figure used in the assignment. E.g., Fig. 1.

Title

Images may not have a set title. If this is the case give a description of the image where you would normally put the title.

         

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