Tables, Figures and Illustrations

Tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items should be identified with the word "Table", "Figure", or other appropriate descriptor, and include a title and/or caption. The title or caption must be included in the List of Tables, List of Figures, or other list.

You must use a consistent format for titles and captions of tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items throughout the thesis.

  • lettering in tables and figures should be at least 2 mm high to ensure that the information is easy to read
  • tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items must have titles or captions, and must be numbered
  • titles or captions can go either above or below the table, figure, or illustration
  • headings must be repeated on the second and subsequent pages of tables that split over two pages or more
  • tables should be split at an appropriate place, e.g. just before a new subheading
  • the format for titles and captions of tables, figures, illustrations, and other such items must be consistent throughout the thesis.

Numbering

Tables, figures, illustrations and other such items must be numbered consecutively in order of appearance within the thesis.

There are two methods for numbering Tables, Figures and other items:

  • sequentially throughout the thesis, e.g. 1, 2, 3…
  • chapter number first, then numbered sequentially within each chapter, e.g.:

Tables in Chapter 1: Table 1.1, 1.2, 1.3…

Figures in Chapter 3: Figure 3.1, 3.2, 3.3…

Whichever method you choose, the numbering style must be the same for all numbered items; for example: Table 1.1 and Figure 1.3, or Table 1 and Figure 3, not Table 1 and Figure 1.3.

Tables and figures in the Appendices may be labelled A1, A2, etc.

Location

There are three acceptable locations for tables and figures:

  • within the chapter immediately following first reference to them
  • grouped at the end of the relevant chapter
  • grouped at the end of the thesis before the bibliography

Whichever method you choose, you must be consistent.

If your tables and figures are grouped at the end of the thesis, you must include an entry in the table of contents that directs the reader to their location.

If the caption for a figure, table, etc., will not fit on the same page as its accompanying illustration, place the illustration on a separate page.

Reproducing and Reducing

Copying and/or reducing the size of figures (e.g. charts, drawings, graphs, photographs, maps, etc.) may make certain images illegible. After reduction, all lettering must be large enough to fulfill the font size requirements, and must be clear and readable.

Copyrighted Material

If you remove copyrighted tables, figures, or illustrations from your thesis you must insert the following at the spot where the table, figure, or illustration previously appeared:

  • A statement that the material has been removed because of copyright restrictions
  • A description of the material and the information it contained, plus a link to an online source if one is available
  • A full citation of the original source of the material

See the Theses and Dissertations Guide “Unable to get Permission?