How do I include and cite a table or graph in my paper in MLA Style?
Answer
If you want to include tables and graphs that you did not create in your paper, MLA style states that you do not need to cite them in your Works Cited page. Instead, include the information with the chart or graph itself. MLA style recommends using these within your paper sparingly.
Each chart/graph should have a caption, which includes:
- The label Fig. and its corresponding number
- A brief description of the figure
- The full citation of the source the figure came from
Example:
In-text Citation: The graph shows that Michael Jackson continues to be more popular than Taylor Swift, even after his death (see fig. 1).
Fig. 1. A bar graph showing the number of platinum album awards for Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift from: “What’s Going on in this Graph? Taylor Swift.” The New York Times, 7 Nov. 2024, nytimes.com/2024/10/31/learning/whats-going-on-in-this-graph-nov-6-2024.html.
A note: if your source has an author, when you write your source citation, the author should be listed First Name Last Name, rather than Last Name, First Name.
If you need further help, contact a librarian.