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Some guidelines
for the writing of tables and figures:
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Tables and figures are numbered
in the order they are mentioned in the text, but they are numbered
independently.
So, if the first figure comes after three tables, its number will
still be "Figure 1".
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Both tables and figures should
be referred to from the text.
And the reference should not just be "See Table 3". Highlight
the most relevant information to your reader, for instances "Table
3 depicts the percentages…".
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They should be placed within
the text as close as possible
to the relevant point in the discussion. Not at the end of the page,
on a separate page, nor at the end of the article.
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They should be self-explanatory.
In other words, they must be understood without having to read the
text.
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They should incorporate a
concise, self-explanatory title.
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The legend comes at the top
of the table and at the
bottom of the figure.
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They should be as
simple as possible (without, of course,
distorting the data). Do not use colors, three-dimensional bars,
or other imaginative solutions unless required.
Exercise:
If your wish, click the following button to revise
these guidelines:
One last important consideration. As you
know, it is perfectly legal to borrow graphics or data from various
sources as long as you cite them. Normally this is also done in the
title or legend, for example:
Fig. 5 - Aerial photo showing
the regeneration of the forest. Photos courtesy of the USDA
Field Office, Auburn, Maine, USA.
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Do not forget it is compulsory to acknowledge
other people's words and graphics. In LISAM you can practice how to
cite your sources.
Further explanations on citing sources can be found in:
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