TABLES AND FIGURES--GENERAL GUIDELINES
Table and figure placement and referencing in the text are among the most difficult of all formatting problems. Following are some general guidelines for you to keep in mind as you put your final thesis draft into finished form.
- All tables and figures should be referred to in the text,
numbered consecutively (with Arabic numerals), and placed
as close as possible to the original text reference.
- Table captions are placed above the table. Figure captions
are placed beneath the figure.
- Tables and figures should be able to stand alone, without
any text explanation. This means that each should contain
all relevant information, including complete source information
as in the References listing, and be complete in itself
without reference to text or any preceding or subsequent
tables and figures.
- Text material should highlight analysis or findings,
summarizing only important details rather than reiterating
the entire table or figure. If you can restate the material
in your table or figure clearly in a sentence or two, you
probably don’t need them.
- The term “figure” includes all types of graphic
illustrations: charts, graphs, photographs, illustrations,
maps, etc.
- You should try to have a minimum of one half page of
text on all pages (except at the end of chapters/sections).
This means that:
- Tables and figures one half page in size or larger
may stand alone on a page. This is frequently the easiest
way to handle such material, rather than trying to box
text around them. In all cases, you must not break your
text on the printed page after you refer to the table
or figure. Continue typing your text after referring
to the table or figure, filling the page; then insert
your table(s)/figure(s)pages; and then resume typing
your text on the page following the last table or figure.
The only blank spaces are those left at the end of chapters
or sections, or those caused by widow/orphan protection.
- Tables and figures one half page in size or larger
may stand alone on a page. This is frequently the easiest
way to handle such material, rather than trying to box
text around them. In all cases, you must not break your
text on the printed page after you refer to the table
or figure. Continue typing your text after referring
to the table or figure, filling the page; then insert
your table(s)/figure(s)pages; and then resume typing
your text on the page following the last table or figure.
The only blank spaces are those left at the end of chapters
or sections, or those caused by widow/orphan protection.
- More than one table or figure or combination thereof
may be placed on a page, if your text material calls for
comparisons and/or makes reference to these in close textual
treatment.
- Tables and figures may be placed broadside (landscaped);
in such cases, place the top of the table/figure at the
1.5” binding edge. You may resize material after inserting
as an object onto the page; reduce large material photographically,
if you choose this method; or you may use a smaller font
size.
- When referring back to tables and figures over three
text pages earlier, include page numbers for the reader’s
benefit.
- Don’t get carried away by the flashy variations
available in some word processor graphic programs: often,
the simplest representation is the best. Pie charts, three-dimensional
bar graphs, etc. may appear exciting, but can be inappropriate
or misleading. Avoid shadings: they do not reproduce well
in black and white. Choose patterns instead. Color can be
attractive, but be sure it reproduces well in black and
white.
- More on color: Color reproduction is acceptable if high quality is maintained. The Kennel Bookstore Print and Copy Center and Office Depot offer skilled services for this process.