APA Style Figures

Any type of illustration other than a table is considered a figure (charts, graphs, diagrams, maps, photographs, drawings). Make them as simple as possible to avoid distraction from your text. Use simple, sharp lines, legible typeface, clear symbols, and captions when necessary. If you are reproducing a figure, and it doesn't photocopy well, you might consider re- doing it, but make sure you still give credit to the original author or artist. Double space below the figure, type Figure 1. or whatever the number may be, flush with the left margin, double space, then, beginning with a capital letter, include an explanatory paragraph. After the paragraph, insert a line flush with the margins of the figure, and triple space. Then, flush with the line, cite your source, beginning with "From". Conclude your citation with copyright information and verification of author permission.

Example:

(Figure appears here)

Figure 7. Frequency of reading time as related to reduced television viewing time. Parents kept track of viewing and reading time, but were instructed not to offer reading materials to children, only to limit the number of television viewing hours. Increased reading time was noted for all but two of the participants when viewing time was limited to fewer than 15 hours per week.

(In this case, the author of the paper created the figure; if the figure were borrowed from another source, the source would be cited below the explanatory caption.)